Pandemics suck. Just when we thought winter was over, COVID-19 decided it wanted to show up and force people inside longer. It’s been Spring for about 8 weeks now, and some of us never got a chance to really leave winter behind. Because of that, we’re doing a Winterviews Special! One extra interview for your reading enjoyment. Join us on the hashtag #13Winterviews as we highlight our special guest Mica from Free Writing Events!
Can you tell us a little bit about Free Writing Events?
What prompted the idea to start Free Writing Events?
Prior to having any social media author accounts, I had attended some writing conferences where your “brand” and “platform” were discussed as essentials. I found I liked Twitter best as a platform, and hopped on, and tried to figure out where I could create something useful to my potential readers (which was a big piece of advice from one conference). I saw that there were writing games everywhere, but no reliable compilations or lists. So I became that, and it branched out from there into pitching contests like #PitMad (which people loved, but rarely found out about until too late). This then got bigger, eventually encompassing all free-to-enter creative writing contests.
Why is having a community helpful?
A strong support network comprised of people who truly listen, who appreciate you as a whole person rather than as what you can do for them, protects us in a variety of ways. When we have people to talk through our experiences with, we are better able to process those experiences in a useful way. This allows us to live our best lives and can even protect us from things like PTSD.
Writing, especially writing for publication, is a rollercoaster ride at best and a long, demoralizing haul at worst. And the people we see in our everyday lives often don’t get it. They don’t understand why we write or how difficult it is. So they don’t know how to comfort us when the writing process goes wrong. We need the writing community because they are the only ones who get it. There’s also a lot to be learned from other writers.
In what way has being a part of Free Writing Events made you stronger as a professional?
It’s taught me a great deal about social media marketing, though I’m far from a professional, I think. It also led me to become a much better short story writer, as I started entering the contests I promote—and developing a good system for doing so. I’ve won some pretty significant contests and prizes since starting that, and those have opened doors I’ve never dreamed of. My short story game would have languished if I’d never started doing this.
What three things does someone not know about you?
1 – I homebrew beer.
2 – My husband is trying out a mustache during self-isolation. I find it hilarious.
3 – I name all my laptops “Tigger.”
Who are some of your biggest/most positive influences in the community or in general?
My friend @cm_fick has been my most steadfast friend. She also co-hosted #Write4Life with me every year we did it. I’d be lost without her. The game hosts are also huge pillars of the community… I’d make especial note of @SuperheroSat (who posts weekend theme lists and helps cover me when I need a vacation from the lists) and @Willie_Handler, who is one of the most wonderful, genuine people I know. Really, the community is full of so many great people… you all know who you are.
Any advice or quote that you live by?
Keep moving forward!
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Hosting Author
Scottie Kaye
