It seems like we as writers lean into the hermit stero type far too much. Humans have a hard wired need for community. Do you really think the solo cavemen lived long? No they either starved or were eaten. But in community we found safety and encouragement. This is why it is critical for you and I to find our tribe.

Do you really think the idea of tribes in the Jack Frost Love Story Writing Challenge 2026 was random? We chose that word because we wanted to inspire a community and even build a sense of pride for you and your fellow authors.

So now that I’ve (hopefully) convinced you that having community is important, where can you find it? There’s the obvious places we can always look, libraries/schools/local writing clubs. One of my favorites is to attend a writer’s conference and pretend that I’m an extravert.

Anyone can say they want to write a book, but those who invest money to attend a conference are willing to invest time and energy into their tribes. My goals for every conference I attend are simple: Make friends and learn something new. Be bold, eve in your an introvert, pretend to be an extravert for just 1 day. Even if you can only do it for an hour, give it a shot and see what a difference it can make. Remember together you can endure the hard times, and together we will lift each out up to achieve our dreams.