And it might as well be me.

The internet has completely revolutionized the writing world. 20 years ago, you didn't see a lot of interaction between authors. You know those Stephen King portrayals? Of solitary authors who mostly communicate with their agents and editors? That's what it was like. Except, they were a little less crazy. A little.

Nowadays? Not so. The internet has connected writers around the world. We all know each other in some capacity, at least in my genre. We read each other's blogs, share forums and mailing lists, etc. We talk agents, advances, foreign rights, reviewers, promotion, and everything else in between. It's great. But when you get this many people--this many creative people who live inside their own heads most of the time--the inevitable has to happen.

It becomes like high school.

I have a feeling I'll get in trouble for this, but it's true. Now, the majority of writers connect with each other in sincerely friendly ways. I'm continually amazed at the number of times I've approached an author I barely know and gotten help. But, oh friends, cliques and cattiness abound. Sometimes these cliques are based on random internet connections, people who've chatted and found a connection. Some cliques are based on having the same publisher. Some on having the same agent. Some on geography. I think anyone who reads my blog for a week can figure out my posse.

Usually, everyone's nice to each other. And most of the time, you treat writers like kids you pass in the hall. You kind of know them and have no real problems. Then there are the ones that drive you crazy, like the beautiful popular girls who put on a fake face for the world and then likely sleep with your boyfriend. There are the ones you want to punch because you know they cheated on that exam. There are the cheerleaders who get mad that you aren't showing more school spirit. There are the quarterbacks whose attention you'd do anything to get. There are the ones who cut class to go smoke. And of course, there are the band students.

It's a crazy world, I tell you, and sometimes it's wearying. I thought I'd have a solitary job when I got into this business, and I'm glad I don't. I adore my friends and am so glad they have my back. But man, the politics and drama rival that in our books somedays.

Gotta run. Caitlin and I are so going off campus for lunch today.