How To Find Your Tribe of Scribes

I quit … the first time I joined COMPEL Training. I knew God had called me to write, but I had NO idea where to start, so I joined COMPEL Training in hopes it would provide me the tools and training necessary to become a writer. I found plenty of training, helpful teachings, and even some tools of the trade, but what I didn’t find was my tribe.

I grew discouraged and overwhelmed, and on top of that, writing became isolating and lonely, but writing wasn’t meant to be a solitary endeavor.

The word “tribe” refers to a group of people who share heritage, language, family or culture. A tribe shares a common interest that connects them; this is what COMPEL Training does for writers.

Instead of writing becoming a solitary place where you exist alone, it can become a place of solidarity, where you find unity and the support of a group with common interests — a community.

So the second time I joined COMPEL Training, finding community became the priority.

Today, I would like to share with you four ways you can find your tribe of scribes within COMPEL Pro and build a community that will help you become a better writer through accountability, encouragement and motivation and possibly find a friend or two.

1. Choose To Engage.

My momma once told me, “Tracie, if you want to make a friend, you have to be a friend.” Her words were true then and are still true today. If you find yourself in need of community, offer community to another. You may need to take the first step by committing to putting yourself out there: whether friending on Facebook, following on Instagram, or connecting in The Gathering Place within COMPEL Pro.

2. Connect With Comrades.

As a military spouse, I became familiar with the term “foxhole friends.” These were fellow military spouses who knew the lifestyle because they too lived the lifestyle.

The one who best understands what it’s like to be a writer is herself a writer.

COMPEL Pro offers Community and Critique Groups that specialize in a variety of areas of focus: freelancing, podcasting, Bible study and devotion writing are just a few of the groups where you can connect. In these groups, you will find writers of common interest or genre and begin building community.

3. Collaborate.

Last year, I agreed to collaborate with two fellow COMPEL members. We combined our efforts and used our individual gifts to create a helpful resource while making “light work for many hands.”

More valuable than the resource we created was the friendship we formed as we prayed, wrote and worked together toward a common goal.

4. Cheer Others On.

A group of cheerleaders is referred to as a “squad.” They wear the same uniform, cheer for the same team, and chant the same cheer. The members of the “squad” are not in competition with each other but work complementarily to achieve a win for the team.

You can cheer a fellow writer in her accomplishments and celebrate her wins and in doing so, build up Team Jesus and your own squad!

I have found having a tribe of scribes is as vital to writing success as writing words, and COMPEL Pro can be an excellent resource in finding your community. I encourage you today to take the first step; I will be waiting for your friend request.

For His Kingdom,

Tracie Gunther Nall

Today, how could you take one step toward finding your tribe of scribes? Which of the four ideas would be easiest for you to begin building community in your writing?