The Other N-Word

'N' as in networking, as in schmoozing, as in moving out of the comfort zone and into small talk with a room full of strangers.

While many writers (ahem) find it easier to communicate with strangers through words on paper, the unfortunate truth for the schmooze-shy is that nobody can avoid networking. Because even if you manage to become a successful writer with no networking, at that point there will be invites to community events, readings, signings, and for the really (un)lucky - media involvement.

But what if instead of "networking," we "connect," as writer Christina Katz suggests? What about not feeling pressured to chat up a large number of people, and instead concentrating on finding a few people in the crowd with genuine common interests?

Now that sounds much more approachable.