We’re no longer tweeting, we’re xeeting—writer Amber Sparks might have coined that–and the literary landscape has changed, yet again. What used to provide a good social media home for the #writingcommunity now feels like a hut, maybe a hovel. The best writerly take I heard was from writer Anna Gazmarian (I think), who said the X logo that replaced the cute blue bird reminded her of some boutique hotel she couldn’t afford. I look at the new logo and can see nothing but the emoticon for “dead”: Xs for eyes. But so long as there are writers connecting, there will be a writing community. Really, the literary landscape is always changing, and one certainly can’t rely on a social media site for real connections (except for maybe this one).

I talk a lot about literary citizenship but don’t often talk about what it looks like in practice. It definitely has a lot to do with reading and reviewing the work of other writers, but that’s just the beginning. To be clear, it has little to do with getting an MFA, for that paper in a frame on my office wall has played no part in most of the connections I’ve made in the writing community. So, a few on-the-ground examples:

Not long ago, I braved the open-mic at one of my favorite literary conferences and read a prose poem I was working on, called “Jesus, My Son’s Buckteeth.” (Clearly I’m staking out the fertile publishing ground of: Is she religious or just ignorantly blasphemous? Let’s just keep them guessing.) The poem needed a little work but it was getting somewhere interesting, capturing a complicated mother-love characterized now by running the kids to ortho appointments and no longer by rocking them to sleep. After the open-mic, a writer friend who is also an editor of a wonderful poetry journal said I might consider submitting it. I re-worked the poem, with the help of my trusted writing group, sent it off, and crossed my fingers. It was accepted–but this isn’t where the story of literary citizenship stops. I made sure to attend the online issue launch, and as I scanned all the names and faces in Zoom boxes, I recognized the name of one of my undergraduate writing teachers, who is also a poet. I used the chat function to say hi, and she remembered me, 20+ years on!

Sometimes it’s about saying hi to someone who may or may not remember you. Sometimes it’s saying yes to the the next generation of writers when you might rather be making Christmas cookies. OK, I’ll back up. A writer friend of a writer friend asked if I’d judge the 2022 AWP Intro Journals Project awards for creative nonfiction. When I could have been making cookies over my winter break, I was reading essays from MFA students, more than 60 of them: reading, re-reading, and picking my winners from so many admirable essays. But that wasn’t the end of the connecting. Long after the winning essays were published in university-run literary journals, one of the writers reached out. She was in the throes of preparing to turn in her thesis before graduation, but she wanted to take a moment to thank me for helping her feel like a writer with that award. I remembered her essay: it was excellent and showcased her journalism chops. I fact, she’d had a career before retiring and pursuing an MFA in creative writing–a time where you’re always a student no matter your age or experience. I told her I’d love to see an essay about just that, and I hope I do.

So, sometimes literary citizenship is leaving the door open for more, is encouraging personal history and story to be shared. Sometimes it’s just saying: you’re writing, I’m reading, and I’m so happy to be sharing this connection. Love a book? Tell the author.

And then there are so many more examples: the blogging friendships that started right here and have turned into real-life and writing-life friendships and critique groups and beta reading relationships. 

Like any deep relationship, cultivating literary relationships does take time. Being a good literary citizen requires that you know the writing world and its players. What time I once used to doom scroll on the bird site I hope to devote to this blog. In a few days, my boys and I leave for our summer break in Northern Ohio, and I have a stack of Rust Belt lit to bring with me. I hope to get back to you here with a couple reviews and an author interview this fall, so stay tuned. 

What are you reading and writing this week, this weekend? Want more stories from me, or author interviews, book reviews, guest posts, more? Follow me here:

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If you follow me at FB or IG (@MoonRuark), you’ve been inundated with photos from my European vacation in July. The most Rust Belt-ish place: Vigo, Spain–industrial, historical, and wonderful. A few pics for those who haven’t had enough (in order: Paris’ Eiffel Tower (of course), a pretty shop window, the D’Orsay Museum, and us sisters by the Seine; Barcelona hills and palm trees and basilica; Vigo’s cathedral; and a view of the Spanish countryside from Valenca, Portugal:

24 thoughts on “Literary citizenship alive and well, Twit*er as ‘dead’ emoticon, and bonus Europe pics for playing along”

  2. My favorite line: (Clearly I’m staking out the fertile publishing ground of: Is she religious or just ignorantly blasphemous? Let’s just keep them guessing.) And I love that I got to play a tiny role in the journey of your wonderful story, that I don’t have to guess because I know… But of course I wish we lived closer! I never thought of literary citizenship, so thank you for expanding my horizons. Thanks to your post, I went to Twitter to see the X for the very first time! Yes, I live under a rock. And I like it there in the cool, damp, darkness. But I come out to read your posts!

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  3. You play a major role in most of my work these days, Kelly, and I couldn’t be more grateful! I wish we lived closer, but I am thrilled I get to see you in a week or so. Ha–that stupid X. I think life may be better lived under a rock, for sure. Thank you for coming out for my posts and for being a real-life and writing-life friend!

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      1. Good for you!! The old Twitter had a lovely and active writing community, but so many writers have dropped off, especially with a potential paywall coming. Very smart, my friend! I got an invitation to Blue Sky–an alternative where some writers have gone–and signed on there. Why do I do this to myself!? People poo on FB a lot, and there’s a lot that’s annoying about it. But FB is where people will actually click on something, take a few minutes to read something I’ve written and comment. I can’t say that about any other SM, except my own blog.

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  4. I kept seeing these amazing photos on FB and was wondering what was going on with you! But since I was traveling myself, it was hard to make heads or tails of what time zone I was even in. 😛

    Thanks so much for being here. I enjoy learning how things are going on with you, your literary adventures, and more! xo

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    1. Ha! Likewise, I kept seeing photos of you all over the country. So glad you got in a long visit with your mom–and more family. That’s quite the trip!

      Thank you, Lani! You are certainly among the blogging friends I consider friend-friends and make this whole writing thing so much more bearable. Can’t wait to catch up on all your adventures, too!

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    1. It was such fun catching up with you and Mike and everybody–and getting to meet little Ryan! I wouldn’t have missed it. Next time we’ll have to talk Paris. And thanks again for the wonderful old photos! Big hugs from here in OH. The boys and I are enjoying the last of summer before school starts. Hoping for a boat ride soon. xoxo, B.

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  6. Hi Rebecca!! I enjoyed your take on the disappearing blue bird. I’ve never been on Twitter and haven’t ventured to X either. I agree with your words of wisdom about writing connections, especially in the world of blogging. “And then there are so many more examples: the blogging friendships that started right here and have turned into real-life and writing-life friendships and critique groups and beta reading relationships.” Friendships take more effort than a simple tweet or a xeet.
    I hope you and the boys are having a delightful time – enjoy every moment before they head back to school and your days change into not having to drive them to/from school every day!!
    PS – I LOVE all the photos – especially the one of you and your sister. The smiles tell me how much fun you had!!
    Hugs to you! 🤗😉😊🥰

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    1. Hugs back, my friend! And thank you for reading. I have so much catching up to do with my blogging buddies–soon! I have been enjoying time with my little guys (who are no longer little–I’m the shortest now!). But summer goes by so quickly, I don’t want to blink and miss it.

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      1. You’re welcome, hugs right back at ya. YES – don’t blink, and YES enjoy every moment with them. I know how the being shortest in the family feels – it’s nice in a way though – that means they’re thriving and growing up! Happy rest of summer to you!! 🥰😍😊🤗

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  7. Loved this article. I love how the writing community supports each other, and I love that your professor remembered you. That says a lot about you. I also love your photos, and you and your sister are gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa. You’re so sweet! As I’m sure you know building a writing community takes a lot of time and attention. I did an MFA, which is a built-in writing community. But without tending to it, once the program’s over, the community is too. So I’m pretty intentional about fostering connections these days–like with awesome blogger-writer friends, including you. I used to think of this “networking” stuff as ewww (like frat guys in suits at a bar, making deals) but we all need each other!

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  8. So grateful for how supportive the writing community is. It gives me much hope, even despite all the recent social media changes and challenges. The term “xeeting” is new to me, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it! “X” will always be Twitter in my mind. Interesting comparison of X to eyes — I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I definitely see the connection. Looking forward to the reviews and author interview!

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    1. Thanks for reading, Damyanti. Totally agree–the writing community is vibrant and supportive, no matter what sites we find ourselves on. And yes, give me the little Twitter bird anyway; I’ve been there too long to change what I call it now!

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  9. Rebecca…you are one of the best literary citizen’s and writer’s good friend I know. We haven’t seen each other since 2019 (I think?) and yet I feel your support with each blog I write (the good and the bad). As the song goes..”thank you for being a friend” or rather citizen. Thankful you’re showing us how it’s done. ✌🏽💜🙏🏽

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    1. You’re so sweet, Patti. Thank you for being here. Your latest blog post totally resonated with me, since I am a fairly infrequent blogger myself. But I do try to keep up with the community–including you. Yes! We met pre-pandemic (I guess that means we’re writing family by now!) at the Little Patuxent Review issue launch. You have a good memory! As far as literary citizenship goes, I hope it’s more about showing up when it counts, which you certainly do. Happy reading, writing, and connecting. And keep cool in this heat wave we have going on out there!

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  10. Fantastic! Congratulations on your submission. And so glad you had a wonderful time travelling. It was nice to see you on Insta. You certainly practice what you talk about in this post too. Always grateful for your encouragement!

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  11. I haven’t been a good literary citizen. I mean I’ve left a few comments on blogs I enjoy reading, and have contributed to the blogosphere with my poems, stories and essays, but X is something new to me. I didn’t even have a Twitter account before Musk took over. Even Insta writing communities, well-functioning literary collectives and open-mics are all things that are out there. I guess it’s partly because I live in India where people look down on the arts, and where journalism is blatant propaganda, and also because I haven’t put the time in. I have however developed some great friendships through blogging which I cherish. Great article. An MFA in creative writing is unheard of here. There is the MA in literature riddled with exams and devoid of discussion lol.

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    1. Your insights are so interesting! While the arts might be more respected here, historically, we’re certainly seeing a cultural shift among even “liberal” institutions of high education where the arts suffer so that more and more $ can be poured into STEM (and bigger, better campus buildings, of course.) Universities shutting down whole (liberal arts) departments and shuttering some of the best literary journals going…it’s sad. And don’t get me started on AI!

      Really, if you’ve developed friendships through blogging, I’d say you’re connecting where the opportunity is to do so. I’ve noticed that blogging has remained more popular among English speakers outside the U.S.; whereas it lost some popularity over the last decade or more here. It definitely saved my sanity during the pandemic. And I do think there’s been a recent uptick. (Call it a newsletter, etc., much of it is still blogging!)

      And believe me you’re not missing anything over at X. In fact, I followed some other writing community members over to Bluesky. I’m still feeling it out there. And I’ve never been good at Insta! I mean, there’s only so much time in a day.

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