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/
house refresh service Lincolnshire ..Freewriting is a release from the prison of rules. It... Read More
You can create a great headline, a dynamic first sentence,... Read More
In my ten years as an advertiser, I've encountered plenty... Read More
Les Edgerton writes in his book, Finding Your Voice, that... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
When my first book "Starting Your Own Business" was published... Read More
What am I supposed to give Anthony as a wedding... Read More
Do you consider yourself a storyteller? Do you consider yourself... Read More
11 Secrets from an Experienced InterviewerOne of the unwritten rules... Read More
We've all heard a politician on their soapbox, pushing for... Read More
Whenever you sit down to plot a story (or even... Read More
There are many ways you can generate ideas you can... Read More
So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
You can learn a lot about what it takes to... Read More
He ran up the steps and knocked on the door.... Read More
There are so many ways for writers to make good... Read More
So you want to be a writer, except you don't... Read More
So you've decided to crown yourself with a title that... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More
Here's everything I know about improving your writing, publishing it... Read More
When you write for international audiences, mainly directly in English,... Read More
In the current job market, many editorial freelancers have turned... Read More
Agents and publishing houses have their best interests at heart,... Read More
licensed cleaning services Lake Forest ..As many authors are fond of stating, "Ideas are all... Read More
I owe the completion and success of my book to... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?What a plot is and what a... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
"No one will ever know who I am, I'm a... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?When an idea comes to us for... Read More
William Faulkner, the great Mississippi writer, said, "The tools I... Read More
Every morning I excitedly get out of bed. Just a... Read More
All the famous writers I heard of could paper the... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
There are a lot of tapes and books and CD... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More
I recently read a book where everything was akimbo. Arms... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
(This excerpt is taken from my new writing workshop Writing... Read More
Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More
Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business... Read More
IntroductionSince our early days of elementary education we have been... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
Editorial guidelines, also known as writer's guidelines, are the rules... Read More
Quite a few years ago, I enrolled in a Degree... Read More
During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
Have you ever wondered why certain writers are able to... Read More
Plotting a book can seem an overwhelming task when you're... Read More
Writing |