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Friday, April 25, 2014

Virtual Friends

I belong to two writing groups where I actually get to meet people in person. One meets monthly and the other one holds a big yearly conference I'll be attending in May. Some of the people in those groups I've known for years. Maybe I should say I met them years ago. But do I know them?

In the last two years or so of blogging, I've made a number of Virtual Friends and an even greater number of Virtual Acquaintances. Those faithful blogging friends might know me better than the writers I've met in person. They certainly are more up to date on where my career is. Writing can be a lonely business but even if all your contacts with other writers in online, you can make some very close Virtual Friends.

Virtual Friends can support you by regular visits to your blog. By liking and commenting on your Facebook posts. By retweeting your tweets. By mentioning your successes on their blogs. Friends who will empathize with your failures and cheer your victories. And you don't have to wait until monthly meetings or yearly conferences. You can 'see' them everyday even when you don't know what they actually look like.

Have you met some Virtual Friends during the A to Z Challenge? Have you joined the IWSG Facebook page where you can find more friends? Do you think Virtual Friends can be as close as face to face friends?

Susan Gourley writes epic fantasy and also writes romance as Susan Kelley. You can read her A to Z posts on world building at Susan Says.
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19 comments:

  1. stuApril 25, 2014 at 5:41 AM

    In a lot of ways, online writing friends are probably more useful, because with a whole world to choose from, you can find people who are closely suited to what you're writing.

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  2. L. Diane WolfeApril 25, 2014 at 8:00 AM

    After 9 years of blogging, I've made a lot of friends online. It's fun when I get to meet them in person, too.

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  3. Madeline Mora-SummonteApril 25, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    I don't know what I would do without all my blogging friends! I sometimes wish we all lived closer together and could go get coffee. :)

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  4. Alex J. CavanaughApril 25, 2014 at 8:54 AM

    My blogger buddies are the best! Such a supportive bunch of friends.

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  5. Suzanne FurnessApril 25, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    I love my virtual friends, they help keep me sane!

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  6. Michelle WallaceApril 25, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    I don't belong to a physical writing group and don't have any "in-the-flesh" writerly friends who I can hang out with...
    My online connections keep me going...

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  7. Christine RainsApril 25, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    Virtual friends are the best! I think they can be as close as face to face friends. I've met so many great people since I've been blogging.

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  8. klahanieApril 25, 2014 at 9:54 AM

    Hi Susan,

    I must say I've made a number of virtual friends via my blog. My virtual friends have been a lifeline to me as I'm a virtual recluse.

    My blog is a very much in the background blog. I do a lot of interacting via emails without the fanfare of the A to Z Challenge which I do find sadly, somewhat superficial. Of course, the "IWSG" on Farcebook actually means, "I Was Seeking Gary."

    Have a peaceful weekend, my friend.

    Gary

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  9. LittleCelyApril 25, 2014 at 10:23 AM

    I've made a few virtual friends through youtube before and every now and then we I see what they are up to. It's a different kind of friendship but nice all the same. I hope to make new ones through my blogging journey.

    LittleCely's Blog

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  10. Pat HattApril 25, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    Many virtual friends at my sea, even met some in real life

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  11. cleemckenzieApril 25, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    I always meet new people during this Challenge. I love finding new bloggers that I connect with.

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  12. Hilary Melton-ButcherApril 25, 2014 at 12:53 PM

    Hi Susan .. I'm amazed at how helpful everyone is .. and how supportive ...and yes I've met some great new bloggers this year - once again ..

    It's a great month .. and I thoroughly enjoy the process ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  13. Chrys FeyApril 25, 2014 at 1:04 PM

    Virtual friends have saved my sanity! I don't know what I would do without their support and help.

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  14. Julie FlandersApril 25, 2014 at 3:35 PM

    I feel so lucky to have my virtual friends! Not too many years ago I honestly wouldn't have believed it was possible to make close friends online but I'm glad to have been proven wrong.

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  15. BirgitApril 25, 2014 at 3:50 PM

    I love my friends in person but there is something to be said for virtual friends who say the kindest things, make me laugh and offer encouragement-it really is nice:)

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  16. AnonymousApril 25, 2014 at 8:10 PM

    I've been surprised at the difference making virtual friends has made. Having that support, and knowing that someone else out there is going through the same thing I am can do a lot to pull me out of a bad day....And it's been lots of fun too!!

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  17. J.L. CampbellApril 25, 2014 at 8:51 PM

    We wouldn't survive the writing world without our virtual friends. I've learned so much from the people online and rely on them for their help and support.

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  18. Joylene Nowell ButlerApril 27, 2014 at 6:47 PM

    I have such close virtual friends that it boggles my mind that I've never met them or wouldn't know them if they crossed the street in front of me. That is amazing, don't you think? It guess it's because they're total strangers yet understand me better than most of my family.

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  19. AnonymousApril 27, 2014 at 11:27 PM

    I have really loved making virtual friends through my blog and through Twitter. It's been a great way to learn and to get support.

    Happy A to Z month. We're almost done!

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