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/
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..~TYPES~You Want Us to Write What? Understanding the Task AssignedWhich... Read More
If you're a writer, you're in business. It doesn't matter... Read More
If your writing muscle isn't in shape, writing a novel... Read More
Open up your favorite calendar and circle today's date.Why? Because... Read More
As a student of Spanish, my goal was to think... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
It's the funniest thing. When someone asks me what I... Read More
If you have an online home based business you know... Read More
The creativity of Jaisini is not designed to be preaching... Read More
Building a new website can be extremely exciting. Seeing your... Read More
So you want to be a writer, except you don't... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
This is a tough question for every freelance writer. For... Read More
He ran up the steps and knocked on the door.... Read More
You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
The first five pages of a novel are critical.Editors make... Read More
We've all heard a politician on their soapbox, pushing for... Read More
Sometimes there is confusion about the exact meaning of the... Read More
In this article you will find tips on: How to... Read More
Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More
You can create a great headline, a dynamic first sentence,... Read More
A frequent conversation I have with my writing clients is... Read More
Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
I recently read a book where everything was akimbo. Arms... Read More
LATER, LATTERLater means afterwards; latter is the second of two... Read More
A writer writes. Bet you've heard that one... Read More
Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how... Read More
11 Secrets from an Experienced InterviewerOne of the unwritten rules... Read More
This article contains a short guide on how to edit... Read More
You may wonder why I have chosen this title of... Read More
ACCEPT, EXCEPT Not commonly seen even from unpublished writers, who... Read More
IntroductionSince our early days of elementary education we have been... Read More
We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More
I owe the completion and success of my book to... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
We all know people who ramble. They include every boring... Read More
If you have an online home based business you know... Read More
There are so many ways for writers to make good... Read More
Nike's ad has taken on new meaning for me of... Read More
If you either want to write a book to help... Read More
Have you ever written a letter to a friend? Ever... Read More
Joyce Carol Oates. Langston Hughes. Anne Sexton. F. Scott Fitzgerald.... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
Human beings seem to be born with a gene for... Read More
Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More
Writing |