I’ve been on an essay kick lately, and specifically the essays of science fiction writers. I love to read their fiction, but I’d like to read other aspects of their stream of conscious. So far, I’ve read a lot of Harlan Ellison’s essays, Spider Robinson, Rudy Rucker, and I have Ursula Le Guin’s book and I also just bought a Robert Sheckly collection.
One thing about many of these essays, is the author’s mentioning of other established writers they know. Some are acquaintances, some are friends that go back decades.
Flash-forward to today, where there are online writer communities that are thriving. I can’t seem to fit into any of the ones who allow open communication.
I’m almost fifty years old. I haven’t made a new friend in a long time. I’m not even good at keeping my current friends. This sounds like I’m self-depreciating. It’s not, I’m just stating facts. As much as I’d love to find a community in science fiction writing, I’d need to find one that fits my schedule. My life gets rather hectic, so there are times I may be absent, which is counter to what a community actually is.
So I bounce from forum to forum, or Discord, curious about what others think of the most recent book and movie releases, or friendly debates on contemporary or classic science fiction. Reading essays or blog posts on similar subjects also helps to relate to other SF writers (or aspiring SF writers).
