"You're all alone when you're a writer. Sometimes you just feel you need a humanity bath."

--Saul Bellow

Writers, writing and reality

Yes, writing is an inherently antisocial pursuit. We go into our rooms and close the doors and look at blank screens (or as Red Smith used to say, "You look at the blank page until blood comes out of your forehead"). But when we come out of our isolation, we need to connect--with readers, with one another, with others finding their voices. Here are a few of the ways I connect.

The Grotto
We're a cooperative workspace community of writers and filmmakers in downtown San Francisco. It gives us a reason to get out of our bathrobes.

How to Build a Grotto
Ethan Watters, co-founder of the Grotto, has some great advice to offer on starting a Grotto of your own (and you should!). He's graciously given me permission to republish it here.

826 Valencia
Another one-of-a-kind place that shouldn't be one-of-a-kind. The Honeycomb Hideout of writing and mindplay and intergenerational inspiration.

Litquake
The Woodstock of Words (in fact, it used to be called Litstock until someone got all copyright-y). Days and evenings in the fall, when all of San Francisco turns into one big celebration of books and reading.

Writers With Drinks
A long-running reading series in San Francisco, benefitting other magazine.

Surfworthy Writers
Some are friends, some are acquaintances, some are admired strangers. All are worth checking out.

text copyright © 2006, Jason Roberts
image by .Susanne, displayed under
Creative Commons license.