Why Women Writers Need To Empower Each Other  

Writing is a solitary profession. The stillness and the isolation make for important ingredients in the recipe of writing. That said, no one can survive and thrive in silos forever. Wanting human connection and engagement is part of our nature and need for survival. But it gets tricky because as writers, we are very vulnerable. We have to be doubly-careful about who we surround ourselves with.

We cannot ignore the extreme importance of surrounding ourselves with supportive and compassionate people. As women, building a healthy community of writers as your support group who are compassionate and lift you up, is even more important.

Research shows us that there is a gender bias when it comes to women writers. Women struggle with their work being taken seriously. The assumption is that for a man, writing is a career. Somehow, the same doesn’t apply to women.

The common belief is that writing is something women do on the side. Like a hobby. Or pursue something in their free time as rich, bored housewives. Furthermore, Joanne Harris tells us about the difference in perception of female versus male writers. “Women are still viewed as a niche group, dealing solely with women’s issues, whereas men (even in the same area) are thought of as dealing with important, universal themes.”

The bias permeates through reviews as well. In 2017, The New York Review of Book’ articles had the greatest gender disparity, with just 23.3% of the magazine’s published writers identifying as women.

What can we do to change this in smallest and biggest of ways? 

Build each other up: Encourage other women writers to follow their passions and voice their opinions. Acknowledging the work of a female writer can help shine a light on your colleague or peer’s writing efforts. There’s enough to go around—the more of us are successful, the more we raise the demand for our professions. The more of our books get reviewed. The more we can demand for equal pay within the publishing industry. The more we can dissolve stereotypes engulfing women writers. Stop approaching life with a scarcity mindset. Believe in abundance.

Have each other’s backs: Standing up for a woman writer if she is being bullied or trolled online is another way of showing support. If a writer friend or coworker is interrupted during a pitch, you could politely say that she was not done with her story. Buying books written by women writers and sharing their writing/book images on social media is also sisterhood. The concept of women writers helping other female writing colleagues and peers’ benefits both parties.

Don’t compare yourself to others: There is no need for women writers to compare themselves to other women in their field. You are where you need to be. No one can write your story but you. No one can take away what’s truly yours. Everyone has a unique voice. Everyone has twenty-four hours in a day. The competition and jealousy are both endless and mindless and can send you into a spiral. Instead, use other women writer’s success to inspire your writing, promotions, pitching etc.

Don’t make assumptions: Everyone has a story and reason for doing whatever it is they’re doing. Don’t assume you know someone else’s reasons, and don’t spread rumors or gossip about as a result. I was at a literary event in NYC a few years ago where a male writer and a woman writer were inebriated during their reading. While I saw a few eyes roll at the male writer for his slurry speech, I heard so many women gossip and talk behindthe woman writer’s back. Because unprofessional behavior is pardoned for a man but not for a woman writer.

It’s common to hear women talk about how poorly they’re being treated by men writers, but can we ignore how some women behave with other women? I have read so many Facebook updates by fellow women writers where they shared how another woman writer was using their content and sharing it as their own. I have been in the exact same place and know first-hand how infuriating and helpless the copycats and plagiarist can make you feel.

We lift ourselves when we lift others. March is Women’s History Month. Helping other women writers achieve their goals can make you feel empowered. Women are key for empowering and uplifting other women. We can use our strengths to empower ourselves and our communities.If we really want to achieve equal status to our male counterparts as women writers, then it needs to begin with us. Women writers need to support their fellow women writers and empower one another.

“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”~ Madeleine Albright

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BIO: Sweta Srivastava Vikram (www.swetavikram.com), featured by Asian Fusion as “one of the most influential Asians of our time,” is a mindset & Ayurveda coach, international speaker, and best-selling author of 12 books, including, the recent Louisiana Catch. She is a five-times Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in The New York Times, amongst other publications, across nine countries on three continents. As a trusted source on health and wellness, most recently appearing on NBC and Radio Lifeforce, Sweta has dedicated her career to writing about and teaching a more holistic approach to creativity, productivity, and wellness.

Born in India, Sweta spent her formative years between the Indian Himalayas, North Africa, and the United States collecting and sharing stories. Winner of the “Voices of the Year Award,” (past recipients have been Chelsea Clinton and founders of the #MeToo movement) in her spare time, Sweta uses mindfulness, Ayurveda, and yoga to empower female survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. A graduate of Columbia University, she lives in NYC with her husband and works with clients globally. Find her on: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing