Only YOU Can Prevent This

“This morning, I told a friend that I feel like I’ve fallen down on the road,” the author said to me earlier this week. “My nose is bloody and I’m pulling gravel out of my chin. I thought writing a book would be easier.

“Writing a book is hard!”

I nodded my head.

“It’s like running a marathon,” I said. “At some point during the race, you hit the wall and you end up crossing the finish line on your hands and knees.”

As writers, we tend to romanticize the creative process. We dream about living the life myth of the lonely genius—Hemingway scribbling in a notebook in the back of a Cuban bar, or Stephen King pounding away at his typewriter in a Maine attic. 

Comforting picture, isn’t it? The idea that great art is born in isolation, that if we just sequester ourselves away long enough, brilliance will eventually ooze out of our pores and onto the page.

But here’s the truth: the idea of the solitary writer is one of the biggest lies in publishing.

You can take that to the bank!

Behind every “solo” success story is a community — editors, mentors, writers groups, beta readers, and fellow scribes who pushed, prodded, and poked their compatriot to keep them going.

The myth of isolation keeps too many talented writers stuck — emotionally, creatively, and professionally.

Let’s unpack why that happens… and what you can do to break free from the writer’s cave before you get stuck in isolation.

Six Reasons You Need to Break Out of Isolation Stagnation

Here's why I can't do it alone...

1. Isolation Warps Our Perspective

When you spend too much time alone with your writing, your story world becomes an echo chamber. Every line starts to sound either like genius or garbage — sometimes both within the same hour. 

You convince yourself that you just penned the last Great American Novel. Or, your inner critic gets loud, your confidence tanks, and your once-brilliant project starts to feel like a lost cause. 

Community doesn’t just offer encouragement; it offers perspective. A writing partner, a critique group, or even a trusted friend can see what you can’t. They’ll point out what’s working and where your story veers off course.

“But no one understands my voice like I do,” writers often say. True — but no one misunderstands your own voice like you do, either.

READ. THAT. AGAIN!!

2. Creativity Craves Cross-Pollination

Creativity doesn’t thrive in a vacuum; it thrives in connection.

When you interact with other writers, artists, or even readers, you expose yourself to new styles, worldviews, and techniques. That’s when your writing starts to breathe again.

Ever wonder why your best ideas come while talking to someone — or even listening to someone — about something totally unrelated? That’s your brain cross-pollinating. It’s connecting dots that isolation simply cannot provide.

Join a book club, attend a conference, or co-write a short story with a friend just for fun. You’ll be amazed how quickly your imagination wakes up when it gets to play with others.

Sometimes when I feel stuck, I schedule meetings with my creative friends.

Works like a charm!

3. Accountability Fuels Progress

Let’s be honest: left to our own devices, most of us would never finish our books. Netflix, Instagram, and “research” (which usually means falling into Facebook Reels rabbit holes) are too tempting.

That’s where your community comes in. When you’re part of a group that expects progress — whether it’s a writers group, a coach, or a friend you check in with weekly — you suddenly have something at stake. You don’t want to show up empty-handed. You want to show up with pages, ideas, momentum.

The separation between “aspiring writer” and “published author” often isn’t talent — it’s accountability.

4. Emotional Support Is Not Optional

Writing is emotional heavy lifting. You’re not just stringing words together; you’re wrestling with identity, fear, and self-doubt. It’s normal to hit stretches where the thought of opening your manuscript makes you feel like you’re staring into the abyss.

That’s when a writing community becomes your lifeline.

Other writers understand the rollercoaster — the rejection letters, the rewrites, the sleepless nights wondering if your story or message matters. Non-writers may love you, but they don’t get it.

Writers do. They’ve been there. They’re still there. And sometimes, all you need to keep going is someone who says, “Yep, me too.”

5. Collaboration Leads to Breakthroughs

Some of the best books and publishing opportunities are born from collaboration.
 

I’ve co-authored two books. One of my favorite titles was the result of volleying a title back and forth with my co-author: We Will Pray for Election Day.

When you collaborate, you’re not just sharing ideas — you’re sharing energy, expertise, and networks. The publishing world rewards connection. The more genuine relationships you build, the more doors will quietly open for you.

6. The Right Community Helps You Grow as a Professional

It’s one thing to write. It’s another to publish wisely.

A well-connected writer doesn’t just know how to craft a story — they understand how to get it into readers’ hands. Communities help you navigate the shifting sands of publishing options: traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing.

They’ll share their mistakes so you don’t repeat them. They’ll point you toward ethical editors, skilled designers, and publishers (like Illumify) who treat authors like partners instead of paychecks.

Where to Plug In (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you’re ready to emerge from your writing cave and reconnect, here are a few great places to start:

• Local Writing Groups: Most cities have local chapters of organizations like The Writers’ Guild, SCBWI (for children’s authors), or Romance Writers of America. Here in Denver, I’m plugged into a writing community called Writers on the Rock. Groups like ours offer critique groups, workshops, and networking events. This weekend, I’m joining them on a writing retreat.
• Online Writing Communities: Try Scribophile, Absolute Write, or Facebook Groups for your genre. They’re great for feedback and accountability without leaving your house.
• Writers Conferences & Retreats: Events like the annual Illumify Writers Conference, Writer’s Digest Conference, ACFW, or Story Grid Live can change the trajectory of your writing career — and you’ll meet lifelong friends. 
• Coaching & Publishing Communities: Work with a professional book coach or join a hybrid publishing network (like Illumify Media Global). You’ll gain not only guidance but also a tribe of serious, purpose-driven writers.

The Bottom Line

Isolation feels safe, but it’s a trap. It keeps you circling the same ideas, recycling the same doubts, and missing out on the creative and professional growth that only comes through connection.

You don’t have to do this alone — and you shouldn’t.

Your best writing, your most inspired insights, and your most meaningful progress happen when you let others in.

So if you’ve been trying to write your book in a bubble, maybe it’s time to pop it. Let’s get you connected to a community that will fuel your creativity, strengthen your craft, and help you cross the finish line.

👉 Schedule a free publishing consultation with me today — and let’s talk about how to bring your book (and your writing life) out of isolation and into the world:

RIP Joanie

Two weeks ago, we said goodbye to Joanie Barth, who died in a climbing accident in Evergreen, Colorado.

She was a fan of the Power Writers Report and an Illumify champion. Joanie was also bestselling author Philip Yancy's administrative assistant. But she was more than that — she was like a member of the Yancy family.

Earlier this year, she connected Abhineeta Matney to us. Below is a photo, from left to right, of Abhineeta, Janet Yancy, Philip Yancy, and Joanie at Abhineeta's book launch party.

Farewell, my friend.

Let's bring your book to life!