We all need a cheer squad.
We all need people to say 'Good on you!'; 'Way to go!'; 'You've done a great job'; 'You're really on the way.'
We need people to say 'Don't worry, this is just a temporary setback'; or 'Of course you can do it' when we encounter obstacles. (Hey, you think nothing of putting plenty of hurdles in your character's way-why should you get through unscathed?)
Writers tend to get depressed and give up when nobody appears to care whether they write or whether they don't. Sure, it's really up to us if we feel that urge to create-in one way, we shouldn't have to rely on the support or approval of others. But let's get real. Most of us do care. We feel so much more inspired to go on if there's someone who believes in us; someone to urge us to take the next step.
Most of us are lucky in that we have supportive families or partners. They might groan at the idea of extra responsibilities - or seeing less of us because we're hiding away tapping at a keyboard - but they know how much it means to us. They rejoice in our successes. They commiserate when a rejection arrives or when life gets in the way and we can't write for weeks (or months). It makes a difference to have someone who's in your corner.
Unfortunately, not everyone has a 'cheer squad' like this. What if your family couldn't care less if you never wrote another word? What if they resent the time you spend writing, and create obstacles rather than help you overcome them?
First, you have to decide to claim that time for yourself-even if you have to leave the house to do it. Find a corner where you can write undisturbed. (More than one writer has penned a novel over long-lasting cups of coffee in a restaurant.)
But the most important thing is to get yourself that cheer squad.
Find someone who does care about you and your writing.
Someone who will buoy you up when times are bad.
Someone who will break open the champagne when you succeed.
It could be a friend... it could be the owner of the coffee lounge... it could be someone from a writer's group you join or establish. There's someone out there who cares.
Make it your mission to find that person.
(c) Copyright Marg McAlister
Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/
maide service in Lincolnshire ..Written communication is often the first impression you make on... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More
Okay. So I'm not David Letterman. But I doubt if... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
Remember the days when we wrote with pen and paper?... Read More
Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?You are plotting the story. You write... Read More
In the words of Aristotle, "happiness is self contentedness helping... Read More
As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an... Read More
Obtaining the skills for writing good business correpondence is important;... Read More
Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More
Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More
Every part of your book can be a sales tool.... Read More
There are many ways you can generate ideas you can... Read More
Most books aren't rejected because the stories are "bad." They're... Read More
GAINING WRITING EXPERIENCE Some Catch-22, huh? In... Read More
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block".... Read More
1. Set aside a time to write and keep it... Read More
As writers, we initially tend to be either more cerebral... Read More
Are you ready to abandon your short stories? Before you... Read More
For those looking at the jobs listings for writers, they... Read More
You've finished your story, and you're pretty happy with it.... Read More
cleaning lady near Deerfield ..A certified proofreader is one that has taken a few... Read More
No matter what you are writing, the first priority is... Read More
Why should you consider creating a memoir of your personal... Read More
You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More
Writing is hard work, and like all hard work, one... Read More
Let's Discuss Publisher Ethics:If you are an ezine publisher or... Read More
You can turn your $200 fee to write a press... Read More
Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how... Read More
Human beings seem to be born with a gene for... Read More
Persisting With Bulldog Determination [Book excerpt from Successercising} by Rick... Read More
Has the thought run across you mind that you might... Read More
Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try... Read More
1. Turning your idea into a bookWith non-fiction books the... Read More
Creating written documents reveals so much about you and your... Read More
(Skip directly to ten for the fastest shortcut!)Like any field,... Read More
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More
Dr. Phil's Life Strategies, #1 New York Times Bestseller catches... Read More
Suspense novels, unlike any other genre, need fast starts. Fans... Read More
When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them... Read More
Before I became a teacher, I was a sports writer.... Read More
The decision to publish a book is very exciting! It... Read More
You might not need any memoir writing help, per se,... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
Wired Online has recently announced its plans to drop capitalization... Read More
Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!A. Memories of... Read More
Writing |