The best thing about being a writer is finally feeling like I belong somewhere. I know it’s a horrible cliché, but my whole life I’ve never really felt like I fit anywhere. I wasn’t a cool kid. I wasn’t sporty. I wasn’t one of the high achievers. I wasn’t good at art. I was never in a band. I had great friends, but it always felt like I was somehow different from them; like there was something about me that meant I was always sort of on the outer edge.

I’m not saying I was special or unique; just that I hadn’t quite found my place in the world yet. Nobody was to blame but me. I put myself on the outer, I think, because I just didn’t quite know how to be around people. I never knew quite what to say or how to act. It wasn’t until I started writing that I found my voice. And it wasn’t until I started writing that I finally found a place to belong.

It’s an amazing feeling, seeing your book on the shelf amongst works by authors you love. Having the last name “Gordon” means I am often shelved next to John Green or Claudia Gray, or Cassandra Golds. Those are all writers who inspire and thrill me with their talent. In one book shop, I was even shelved next to a teen-cover version of Tess of the d’Urbervilles, which just so happens to be my favourite book of all time. Seeing that was a bit of a “Holy Meatballs” moment! But just as good as having my thoughts and ideas become an actual, physical object (that people actual buy and even like!!!) is the people I’ve met on the road to that moment.

Before I started down this road, I was a tad scared of agents, publishers and editors – the same way I’m a tad scared of doctors and lawyers and teachers. I imagined them as people much smarter and cooler than I was. I was probably right! But the ones I have worked with are also some of the nicest, funniest, kindest, most generous people I have ever met.

Ditto the writers I have met along the way. I’m sure there are some really nasty writers out there somewhere, but I haven’t encountered any yet. The ones I’ve met have welcomed me into their community with open arms; have bought my books and spruiked them to others; have listened and been supportive when I’ve encountered challenges; have offered advice; have had stupid Twitter conversations with me about zombie ants and super hero authors. I can’t even begin to say how much all of that has meant to me. Even the zombie ants. Maybe especially the zombie ants!

When I catch up with old friends – at weddings mostly, these days – it feels like we’ve never been apart, even if we haven’t seen each other for a year; even if we live now at opposite sides of the country. When I catch up with the people I’ve met on this writing journey – be it online or in the “real world” – it feels the same. My writing friends now feel like old friends, even if I’ve just met them, because they “get” me. I have never felt this understood or this supported.

It’s also amazing to me that I’m now able to communicate with writers I’ve admired all my life. Last week, I finished the absolutely sublime new book by Steven Herrick. Steven has been a hero of mine since I heard him talk when I was fourteen years old. It was after hearing him speak that I decided I wanted to be a writer. For me, every time one of his books comes out, it’s an event, and I’ve never been disappointed. But Black Painted Fingernails was something else. It was good enough to immediately catapult into my list of favourite books of all time. And, after I posted about it on Facebook, Steven Herrick replied! That was up there with the day Ann M Martin followed me on Twitter, and when Neil Gaiman replied to one of my tweets. I try and be cool, of course, when these things happen. Often, I fail dismally. I’m still waiting for the day when Steven Herrick, Nick Earls or Margo Lanagan “Facebooking”  or “Tweeting” me becomes normal. I kind of hope that day never comes. I kind of hope it never loses its magic. I hope it never stops warming my heart!

You can   learn more about Kate by visiting her website. And keep your eye out for moe of my friends visiting this blog to share what warms their hearts.