Who shares your writer's journey?

[Ms.Write]

Just wondering who you TALK to about your writing, apart from this forum and possibly other writers' forums?

It's just that non-writers often don't GET it, why we write and what we get out of it, as well as the whole process. I used to have a writer friend and that was great for many years, but the friendship fell apart. I was also in various writers' groups at various times, none at the moment.

I find this forum very helpful and friendly. It's great to be able to discuss all the different aspects of writing.. and know that we're not alone.

So how about you?

[PeeDee]

I talk about writing on these forums, but I very rarely say anything more than the barest details about my writing. I talk about my writing with Carrie, and my wife, both of whom probably wish I would go back to just griping about my lost tea.

Occasionally, my best mate will hear about it, and that's fun too. He's got a powerfully good imagination, but it gears him toward making video games rather than writing. Which is fine, and we do that too.

[janetbellinger]

I have belonged to to a writers' group for a few years and I talk to the members about my writing. I talk here too and to an artist friend who really understands as well. And I talk to my husband and children and sister about it but I rarely even mention it to anybody else.

[Nicole_Gestalt]

On here I talk about how to write and also use this forum to get ideas and helpful insights into buildings/situations etc that I've not experienced before.

But when it comes to talking about what I write and discussing plot lines etc I actually find talking to my partners really helpful as they are able to bring the readers point of view into it and point out things that don't work for them. One of my partners is realy a writter at heart and is really into fantasy so he's always happy to sit and just discuss plot lines and writing in general. Although I know a lot of times non-writers don't get writing (sort of a well if its not easy why do it mindset I think) i'm lucky to have two of my partners be really into writing and so although they don't write themselves I can talk to them about it all.

However saying that I would love to join a writers group face to face as I have found this site so much more helpful then I thought I was actually going to.

[DragonHeart]

I give my mom occasional updates on new/current projects I'm working on, but I don't discuss any major details or anything.

I do discuss a lot of my writing with a close friend of mine. He too is a writer and we like to bounce ideas off each other, brainstorm and critique, that kind of thing. No one else knows more about my writing than he does. Besides me, of course. I find it's a lot more fun to have a writing buddy. ^^

~DragonHeart~

[WildScribe]

I like to talk to my husband about it. He's a great help. I talk to family and friends about it, but only when they ask, which is usually not more than once each.

[thethinker42]

I have a couple of friends back home (WA state) with whom I communicate regularly and discuss our books. None of us are published (YET!), but we use each other as sounding boards, discuss frustrations, etc. I guess you could say we're each other's beta readers too. :)

[andracill]

I have two good friends who are also writers -- and we live close enough that I can get together with them often :) It's a real blessing (in fact, I'm getting together with one of them tomorrow, and the other on Sunday)!

Every now and then I brainstorm with DH (who's nice and logical); my mom is one of my best readers (she sees all the inconsistencies); and I have another good friend who lives in another state -- we e-mail and talk on the phone about our writing. I'm really fortunate, I think :)

[Simon Woodhouse]

I tend not to talk about what I write unless someone asks, and even then I try to change the subject.

I only let my guard down when I've got a new idea I'm starting to flesh out. If I mention it to my partner, and don't get a bored, disinterested look, I know I'm onto something.

[kristie911]

Friends and family ask me about my writing pretty frequently and I give them some details of where I'm at with submitting and searching for a publisher or agent but never about what exactly I write. When asked I usually just give them a quick answer like "a romance novel". They're usually content with that.

My husband never supported my writing, so I got used to not talking about it. He simply wanted to know when I would make some money and that was it. I also work full-time so it's not like I quit my job leaving us poor so I could follow my dream of writing. But that's just another reason we got divorced.

I've read the threads here about dumb things non-writers say and fortunately, I've never run into such people. Everyone always seems impressed and a bit awed that I wrote a book...even if it's not published.

[lfraser]

Just here and with my partner and the odd family member. My partner hasn't read a novel for about thirty years, but he does write for a living, so he understands why I'm sometimes just a wee bit testy after a day at the computer.

My mother is trying to get a nonfiction book published at the moment so she's also great to talk to about the writing process.

[Mr. Funktastic]

Hrm. I talk to my nonwriting friends, giving them updates every once in a while, but that's about it. Most of them are fantasy fans, which is what I write, so occasionally I ask a question or two.

I talk to my grandma, too. My grandfather did a lot of writing and published a few books before he died, and she always edited his work. She writes too, so it works out.

[farfromfearless]

Other writers really - it's more like a support group for written word addicts. Hi, my name is <insert name>. I'm an addict.

[Gabriel]

I talk to my girlfriend and she takes it all in, usually without a single negative word. Other than that I don't like discussing my ideas with people, I get the feeling that they aren't really interested.

[KiraOnWhite]

Very seldom I share the details about my work, maybe only the rough outline, but never the characters and stuff. My parents do tend to poke their nose in too much and I do discuss it with my friends once in a while, but they kept relating it to their own project...gets really irritating so I've been refraining myself for a while.

[Inkdaub]

Noone.

[triceretops]

My landlord is facinated with my tales and sits with me for hours trying to help me formulate plots and storylines. He comes up with some fantastic ideas and advice--truly helps and is extremely supportive of the process. I guess he's my biggest fan and never tires of discussing my present work, and goes out of his way to hunt me down and discuss the next scene and chapter. I love bouncing ideas off him and have never regretted our chats and full-length discussions. I think he's enamored with the whole inner-workings of the story structure itself, since he's such a huge movie buff. He's interested in the techniques and devices used in story making, which makes him such an avid fan. I'm the first writer he's known, so I guess I'm quite the enigma to him.

Now...if he were only a girl...

Tri

[blacbird]

No

one.

caw

[seun]

My girlfriend and that's more or less it. Family and friends occasionally ask how it's going or if I've heard anything from agents but as they never follow that with: "Can I read one of your books?" I rarely get too detailed with them.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Just wondering who you TALK to about your writing, apart from this forum and possibly other writers' forums?



Nobody.

[Jamesaritchie]

No one, if you mean anyting I'm actually working on. It always seemed to me that you could either write, or talk about writing.

[CaroGirl]

I never discuss my story before it's written, but I do discuss the writing process. With IRL writers (my 2 crit groups, plus the members of a writers' society I belong to) I love to talk about whether they outline, how they edit, how many rewrites, how much research, and other aspects of a writing life.

It's nice to connect with other people who have a common interest. It just lets you know you're not alone in your peculiarities and frustrations. No one likes to feel alone.

[Norman D Gutter]

I have not found anyone interested in my writing--or writing in general--except those in writers groups, both in real life and on line. A couple of beta readers, one from work and one from church, occasionally ask me how my writing goes, and if I'm any closer to publication. Even my brother and sister, when I sent them the three poems I wrote that dealt with our mother's death when we were teenagers, said nothing back to me without prompting.

The writing life is indeed a lonely life.

NDG

[Pamster]

When it comes to what I am working on I do talk about it here, mostly because it's stuff I am proud of that I want to share because it's finished, the disability awareness my stories' themes all focus on overcoming challenges. See I nearly died in 87' and I have since written about it in a memoir, so I am proud of that too. But because of that I found myself drawn to writing more then anything else so I decided to get serious about it.

One thing I have, which many of you may as well, is an old hardback copy of the 1984 writer's market. You might ask why and you'd be right in asking since it wasn't until I got serious about writing that I even knew this book was in my family. It was my mother's. She liked to write short stories and did so nicely IMO, and she'd been published in a few magazines before, women's magazines. So writing paraphernailia was everyone, she also did Caligraphy as well as minature art.

So as you might imagine I have her read my stuff and her telling me mine is good makes me feel really good because she has been where I am, only instead of waiting on the mailman, I wait on email. It's really quite interesting to think about to me anyway. How the business of writing has changed, I think even if Mom hadn't been into writing I would have still been drawn to do it. But having her into it has only helped me.

We both suffered after my accident and I've written the books I needed to about that, my novel and memoirs are all I needed to move on. I have a lot of stories to tell and many won't happen this year, but I hope that quite a few others will. We've lived that and now it's time to live on, I hope that the stories I've written will help motivate the people who read them. I'm sure many of you feel that way, right? Want to help people through your writing?

Now for things I am working on that aren't finished I don't like to talk about here, because I need to finish them you know? I am not proud of them yet as they are only 3/4 of the way done. I have two novels in this state. This year they will get finished. I have great hope that much will happen this year. And finding AW was just the first of many for me I believe, of good things happening to encourage my writing. :)

[vrabinec]

Nobody in the "real" world. I even tried to hide the fact from my wife until she busted me when she snuck up on me (probably thinking I was writing love letters, there's no end to women's curiosity). In the cyber world, you good folks about technical aspects and one scene over at http://critiquecircle.com/default.asp are it. I am surprised at how much I'm enjoying reading the thoughts you folks share. Since writers are generally introverts, the anonymity of this site makes it a perfect place to share.

[jodiodi]

My husband and a few friends. Even my stepkids because they all enjoy 'making up stories' and one of them has expressed interest in writing so I do all I can to encourage them.

My husband is extremely supportive and if it weren't for him, I'd have never even tried to write seriously or think of trying to get published. I often feel guilty for not making it yet because he's so thrilled with my attempts and I don't want to let him down.

[MajorDrums]

No one at the moment.

[Pamster]

Ah yes, it really is nice that we can have the anonymity of cyberspace should we choose it. I haven't since I made my website and decided to be a advocate for disability awareness. I made my website and posted my poetry and some writings as well as making pages about autism for my son. Mostly to encourage others to get their kids tested if they even suspect anything developmental is going on. But the point is back when I made it you had to put your real name to something you wrote to copyright it, so I have copyright notices up on my site.

Even now someone could easily find out who I am, I look forward to eventually joining the ranks of published authors here at the Cooler, I know it's going to take awhile but I am not going anywhere. Well I might not get any writing done today because it's an Incredible Hulk marathon on Scifi channel, but I will be writing tomorrow and probably later tonight. I'm not uncomfortable at all with this either because like I have said elsewhere, I am proud of my writing even my flawed poetry is stuff I am proud of. ;)

I agree with you vrabinec that writers are generally introverts, I would say that's because of how much time we spend thinking about writing and our characters and what we want to see them do to covey the thoughts we have in mind that are the subtext behind the scenes and actions. It's easy to come off as preachy, so we have to skirt that line and try to come across as an old trusted friend would so what we're saying in that subtext can be heard. :)

You're very lucky jodiodi that your hubby is wanting to be involved, I know now everyone's SO (significant other) is able to be open to the writing being done in their household. My hubby isn't really able to hear me when I talk about writing, he's actually said:

"Pam, you're talking but all I hear are clicks and whistles...I just can't listen to all that, save it for your books."

So that's what I do. Work on my writing alone and share it with my mother. And since joining here I share my writing here too, because I love the English language. Using it to tell stories is just so addictive, I couldn't stop writing even if I tried. I am sure once I get published he will come around, but I don't ever expect him to want to read anything I write and I can live with that. :)

[steveg144]

Just wondering who you TALK to about your writing, apart from this forum and possibly other writers' forums?
So how about you?

Thankfully we have both a writers' group and a playwrights' group within an hour's drive of my home, so that helps a lot. Aand of course, these and other forums. Beyond that I just accept that a good deal of the writerly life is a solitary thing. It was worse when I was a slightly "odd" teen growing up in the festering tenements of Jersey City; in that environment, not having someone to talk to about my writing was the LEAST of my problems. :tongue

[stormie]

The ghost of a former owner of this house. If she doesn't like something I'm writing, my little Elmo (from Sesame Street) doll falls from his perch on top of the computer, right onto the keyboard. Head first. So I occasionally ask the ghost's opinion.

Other than that, I don't talk too much about my writing to my family or friends anymore. As a newbie I did, more for self-verification that I really was a writer. (And yes, they do agree there's a ghost wandering around here, so it's not that I'm nipping at the schnapps bottle too much!)

[jerrymouse]

when i started writing i went on and on, and on about writing and my stories and characters etc. i began to bore myself and i started to feel loads of pressure to write something earthshattering. since i have stopped talking about it i have less pressure and have become a much better writer, imho.

i hardly mention it these days. if asked i try to give a brief and broad assesment of my progress. my wife gets to hear about anything that realy pleased me about my writing as and when it happens.

[KimJo]

My closest friend. He and I actually met because I was telling the owner of a new-age bookstore about a novel I'd just submitted to a publisher whose books she carried; this guy was sitting at the cash register listening in and said he'd like to read my book. Which I let him do. He's a writer as well, and we became friends during the times I'd hang out in the store talking to him about writing in general and our books in particular. We help each other brainstorm stories, break through writer's block, and find ways around uncooperative characters. I've done some of my best writing since I met him and have had him to bounce ideas off.

[Akuma]

I don't have anyone to really talk to, although it would be nice.
But for some reason, I just get uncomfortable when I'm around other people who write.

I'm half-afraid that they're better than me, and half-afraid I'm better than them.

[Mom'sWrite]

I'm so fortunate that I live just a couple of houses down from another aspiring novelist. She's wicked funny with a tendency toward hyper-self-criticism. I wonder if she'll show up here at AW one day. I hope she does, but I have to admit that it's way more fun to crack open a bottle of wine and channel Hemingway while the kids are at school.

[Carrie in PA]

Shocking to no one, I talk about writing with Pete and with my hubby.

Hubby gets the basics, because his eyes tend to glaze over if I go much beyond that (much in the same way my eyes glaze over when he's telling me about the inner workings of an interal combustion whoozywhatsit).

I have one girlfriend that I sometimes talk writing with, too, but not too often.

[arrowqueen]

Nobody.

[AndreaGS]

I talk about my writing mostly with a good friend of mine, who is also a writer. We exchange writing once every couple weeks or so, and he's always been very honest in his critiques. We see one another every couple months and chat on the phone a lot about our books-in-progress. I send my sister my writing at the same intervals, and although she's more of a yes-man when it comes to my writing, she's very good about picking out inconsistencies and plot points that don't make logical sense.

I complain to my boyfriend once in a while when I'm stuck, and I give him general updates about how far along I am. I've told him a little about my story, but I'd really rather he read a finished, polished piece than what I have right now.

I give my parents the same sort of updates.

That's it, really.

[Yuallica]

I talk about my writing a bit with my best friend, who is also a writer, and who I tried to co-write with once. Unfortunately, from that attempt we found that we are very different types of writers, interesting in completely different books, so whilst I still talk to her about the series we started (but which I now write by myself) we don't discuss it that much because I know she's not a fan of fantasy, which is almost all I write.

Other than that, I don't really talk about writing much with anyone... although most of my firends are writers, none of them read or write fantasy much, so I know my ideas aren't that interesting to them.

[finch]

A close friend of mine is a genre editor; we tend to blather on a lot about writing, though it also tends to digress pretty quickly when the margaritas come out. It's really nice to have someone you can talk to about that stuff, though.

I do have a few close friends who are very supportive, and who I can at least talk story, characters and worldbuilding to, although I still have to be careful not to dive too far beyond the glassy-eyed stare. I can talk for an awful long time if I'm not careful. >_>

[ChaosTitan]

I talk about my writing with my sometimes co-writer, Serenity, whether it's about a combo project, or one of my own novels. I love having someone to bounce ideas around with, discuss 'what if' scenarios with, and just generally complain to when the characters aren't behaving.

To a lesser degree, I talk about it with my dad. He likes to start conversations with, "I had this idea..." They are usually pretty cool. He would have made a good horror film director. ;)

[jennifer75]

Just wondering who you TALK to about your writing, apart from this forum and possibly other writers' forums?



The Currently Active Users: 432 (119 members and 313 guests) ... that's who I share my writing journey with. :)

[amber_grosjean]

I talk to pretty much everyone about my writing. Mostly to my husband, even though he won't read my work but that's because he doesn't get into the things I write about. If I wrote about sports, he's be the first one to read my book. Some of my friends either write here and there or they have family members who write so they understand where I'm coming from and we talk, giving each other ideas, support, and tips about things. I am the closest one to being published so they all think its pretty cool. They keep telling me not to forget the little people even though I know I aint going to be famous with just one book. It would be nice if that happened but this is reality not my dream world.

Amber

[BuffStuff]

I can't talk to anyone about a current WIP. I tried with my girlfriend recently, and though she is the best person I could ever talk to about my writing comfort-wise (she is well-read, understands the 'writer's mentality', if there is such a thing etc) I found that once I talked with her indepth about it...the enthusiasm I had in me for the project died away, #1 because by talking about the major plot points etc, I felt as if I was talking them right out of me. #2 I found myself continually second guessing myself as I wrote.

Many story arcs, plot points etc simply don't sound good "on paper" or by talking about them. For example, imagine trying to quick pitch Moby Dick to a studio executive if it wasn't already a famous novel. "a mad captain on a doomed ship chasing a whale". Some ideas and concepts just sound boring/stupid/inadequate when you try to put them into a quick explanation. But actually READING Moby Dick, you get a FAR difference experience than listening to someone talking about it on a structural level.

If your story happens to be one of those which doesn't sound particularly exciting (they're out there-and some of them are great reads) when rambling through the character arcs and plot twists then you might be crushed- or at least now unsure of yourself- when your 'Writing Confidante' wrinkles his/her nose at an explanation of a plot twist which could possibly work out beautifully as its written. But if your Confidante just hears the explanation, they are NEVER getting an accurate picture and as such, you will never get an accurate picture of the full potential of your story. Stories can't be explained as well as they can experienced.

If your writing confidante wrinkles her nose or otherwise is unenthusiastic over what could damn well be a great story in its executed (written) form, then you could possibly be crushed or at least hampered in the actual writing process.. and likewise, if he/she thinks it is wonderful then you may stifle yourself trying to live up to your partner's perception of your work.

These are all reasons why I, personally, have found I CANNOT talk about a WIP..and I always pay for it when I think "well... just this once"

BS

[IrishScribbler]

I have a dear writer friend I met at a different forum, and we've since become friends through emails/chatting about writing. We've sort of become accountablity partners for writing.

As for non-writers, I can always talk to my fiance about my writing. He's been incredibly supportive all along, and he's determined to get a job that allows me to be a full time writer! He's become a sort of writing coach in the sense that he kicks me in the butt (not literally, of course) when he knows I'm slacking off.

I love them both dearly!

[amber_grosjean]

Buffstuff--

I feel for you. There have been a couple people that I have talked to in the past that complelty took my creativity away for a story or two. For instance, the very first piece I ever wrote (I was 11) was a great story. I still can't get the story out of my mind but after talking to my mother and asking her to read it, she lost it in her room of mountain high trash. A week later, she cleaned the room, probably throwing the story out with it cause she looks at nothing when throwing things away. The story was left at a very crucial point for the story itself and I can't find the story in my memory no matter how hard I try. Its like I locked the vault I stored it in and lost the key. It drives me nuts cause I know children of all ages would love to read it. Its all in telling the right people, I guess and that is the hard part of it all. I try to be a little more picky on who I talk to about the stories I am working on. And that is a hard job in itself because I love to talk about my work. I've gotten so many new ideas from talking to people and they think its cool that I am a writer.

[BuffStuff]

Thanks Amber!

In certain, limited cases, having a person you know and trust go over the structural problems and questions in your story outline (if you outline..or your Concept if you write Seat of the Pants) can be a very good thing. I'd make sure that I'd tell them only in the barest terms possible (the least detailed explanation possible where I was certain that my listener 'got' what I was concerned about). And even then, I'd only say 'does this work, yes or no?'. Because-at least for me- once questions with value judgments seeped in: Is this good?' does this sound good? is this good or bad?' do you like this?' etc. My listerner's reaction-whether it was positive or negative- would really screw with my head.

There are definite uses for writing buddies. Sometimes months of agony could be saved if the writer's initial concept was truly flawed or unworkable in its present state without the writer realizing it. But ultimately, it should be up to the writer him/herself to have enough critical thinking capacity concerning his own ideas to be able to detect when something just ain't working. Unless there are glaring errors in plotline that the writer can't see, trying to guage a story's effectiveness by saying "this happens, then this happens, which leads character A to react thusly which then leads to this...sound good so far?" often-at least in my experience- isn't effective and can be potentially damaging.

The times I've used that approach, my readers have either found "flaws" that many times weren't there, or they'd have alternative suggestions that went out of line with my vision for the Work. Suspension of Disbelief is probably the most important element in a successful story- and when you explain your WIP to a colleague, that suspension isn't there. And so what you're possibly left with is suggestions like "could a female hairdresser really DO that? That doesn't _sound_ believable to me." Many things in great works of fiction don't 'sound' believable upon explanation...but are PERFECTLY FINE when the reader experiences it in a story-all provided the writer has done his job well.

I'd never tell a writing confidante my entire story in painstaking detail. The times I have, I've talked the story out of me stone dead regardless of their reaction. These are just my own experiences-the risks aren't worth the benefits to me. But I know friggin tons of writers who thrive very well on their writers groups and find the support they get concerning story concepts, character arcs etc completely invaluable.

[Willowmound]

My journey is solitary, I'm both navigator and helmsman. I can hear breakers ahead, but it's too dark to see.

[ShapeSphere]

Family and close friends do ask me now and again about my writing or comment on articles. That is nice and welcome. It's a two-way process, as I ask them about their lives and what's going on, because I like them and am interested. I would never expect them to want to discuss every intricate detail of my work. That's way too precious and lofty. I don't want to analyse too much anyway. I will learn more by doing it.

I think most people are so busy with their own lives and jobs that we as writers should not expect them to be fascinated by everything we say and do, or expect accompaniment on some kind of 'journey'.

Many people all over the world can and do write reasonably well. Blogging and the ferocious levels of competition in the paying markets have proved this.

[EngineerTiger]

My cats.

[amber_grosjean]

Usually I don't show my work to anyone to read for input until the first draft is completly done. Sometimes writers block has set in and I really needed help with the situation in the story. Luckily one of my friends liked to read stories like the one I was working on so she helped me out with the latest book I wrote. Man was she a life saver. Not only did she pull me out of the hole but she gave me a rope to tie onto my waist so it wouldn't happen again. I will be dedicating this one to her when it gets published and will be giving her one of my copies (she doesn't know this yet). During the writing of the stories, my friends always ask me about the work I am recently on. Of course, I do describe the story to them without giving them too much detail and they become intrigued which I've learned is a very common word amongst my friends. No complaints about that.

[Old Hack]

I have a dear friend who was, until recently, editor of a very well-respected lit mag in the UK (magazine is QWF, my friend is Sally Zigmond). She is the first person to read my fiction, and she tells me quite clearly what she thinks is wrong with it, and she does it with such grace and aplomb that I lap it all up. She's always right. She's a friend I don't deserve, and I am truly grateful for her. She's also just had a novella published--if you look on Amazon.co.uk you'll find it. It's called Chasing Angels, and is a glorious read. I bow down before her and wish, one day, to be as good as she is.

[thethinker42]

My cats.

My cats just look at me like "why are you talking? Can't you see that our food dishes are not overflowing with food?" They would much prefer that my BIC time be used as FTF (feeding their faces) time.

Except for one, though...she's like my little muse. She HAS to be right next to me when I'm writing (or laying on my desk if I'm actually working at my desk). If I'm e-mailing, chatting, or surfing, she's off doing something else, but I'm telling you....the minute I start WRITING, she's there. (She is NOT the one in my avatar...that cat is the one most likely to demand FTF time)

[Maprilynne]

My wonderful, fabulous dear friend . . . who also happens to be my Patron Saint.:)

There's no better companion for a writer than another writer.

Maprilynne

[scarletpeaches]

I don't talk to anyone about my writing, especially when I'm in the middle of writing it.

Writing as a whole, on the other hand, tends to be restricted to AW and a few internet buddies I have. Fellow writers.

All my real life friends know I write...but they also know not to ask about it until I suggest they read something, I ask for their opinion, or I raise the subject for some other reason.

[Jenan Mac]

My sister. She's a visual artist, a photographer and designer of tarot cards. So what we do is different enough that there's no sibling competitiveness, but similar enough that we understand one another's process. And we both wholeheartedly like each other's work, and still feel free to talk about what makes us itch.
It's entirely possible I couldn't have finished my novel nearly as quickly if it weren't for her and Milano cookies.

[Robyn]

I have another writer friend of mine that we like to bounce ideas off each other.. that is fun. Hubby .. not so much he doesn't get it. ( i think my imagination scares him LOL) I have another good friend that loves to hear my ideas though and she is always available if i need someone to tell me if a thought works or not.

[Cassiopeia]

I never talk about my writing online other than in discussions such as .."what is your genre?" and I might venture to talk about techniques but never specifics as to the type of story I am working on.

In my physical life, I might discuss with someone what they like about certain character types and why. I have let a few people read the first four pages of my novel and one person has read about 10 chapters. All say that I must stop procrastinating because they want to read the entire book. Now either they are being really nice or I am rediculously insecure about my work. :)
Probably a bit of both...but one comment that I have cherished is from a friend who never lies to me and no matter how painful I might find what she has to say, she is always gentle but forthright. She would like to kick me in the pants when I find anything I can to keep from writing. The comment: "You are just as good as some of the famous writers and perhaps even better at times...why don't you get off your @$$ and finish it?"

What is it with us writers anyway? Why do we run from the very thing that gives us meaning?

[Cat Scratch]

I think I'm lucky. I have a lot of friends who are very supportive of my writing, even if they don't understand. I'll get yays and pats on the back when I finish a draft, or if I tell them I can't spend time with them because I have a self-imposed deadline, they understand.

I realize this isn't the norm, but since my friends are mostly creative artistic-types, it's nice.

[Cat Scratch]

P.S. Along the "most people don't understand" lines...my landlord has known for 2 years that I work from home, and what I do is writing, but we've never really talked about it. Last month I had a byline in a magazine she subscribes to, and suddenly she grew an interest and started asking me all kinds of questions. And she said "Wow, so you really ARE into this." Yes, that's what I'm doing when I say WORKING FROM HOME. I don't know what she pictured me doing before she saw actual proof of my writing.

[Gary]

Nobody. My wife was dumbfounded when I handed her the manuscript and asked for her opinion.

Now a few of her friends know I write, but nothing is ever discussed. It's my private little world and I prefer to keep it that way.

[A.M. Wildman]

I'm fortunate my significant other listens to me about my writing and often provides me with good feedback and acts as a sounding board. If she's not available I talk to my cat. Although, she generally ignores me and goes away when I don't wad up the paper and toss it for her to chase. (She has a paper fetish):Shrug:

Other than that. I come here.