How important is it to have writer friends, or friends who are in the business of publishing?
To me? Very.
My writer friends are what helps me over the hump of every book. And believe me, there is a hump. Or a slump. Call it whatever you want, it’s there. That point where you’re writing and it all seems so pointless or you want to kill off your main characters because they have stomped on your LAST NERVE. That’s when I call in the writer friends. Why? Because they’ve been there and done that and still managed to write a book about it.
People outside the writerly universe just look at you funny when you bemoan such things and character arc and plot points. Because if you really think about it, it is crazy. It doesn’t cure cancer, feed third world children, or create world peace. But, but, but…for the time you’re working on it, it is the most important thing on Earth. It has to be just so, the characters need to do certain things in order for the story to resolve. Without that, it’s chaos!
How important/crucial/influencial are your writer friends? Do you think you need to have them or are you in this game alone?
October 10th, 2006 at 2:39 am
There is a definite need for friends who ’speak your language’ otherwise it’s like swimming upstream without your posse of salmon next to you.
I need non writer friends when I need a break from swimming. LOL.
October 10th, 2006 at 3:44 am
It’s very important to me. When I started writing a few years ago, I knew almost nothing about writing and the critique partners I got then…I still have them now and they’re two awesome ladies. And its always good to have someone to bounce ideas back and forth with, moan and groan to, share your joys with. Help you flush out a plot. I lurrvee having writing friends. Go Novelty Girls!!! Whoohoo!!!!
October 10th, 2006 at 7:08 am
Don’t have any writer friends as of yet…but I do know about getting that ‘funny look’ for other people, lol
October 10th, 2006 at 11:54 pm
I never had writing friends before this year. I always thought it would be too competitive, too–nasty.
I’m glad I was wrong. I’ve made some very dear writing friends online, and even plan to branch out and meet some writers in real life. I just have to get over this hermit thing I have goin’ on first…
October 11th, 2006 at 1:22 am
I can understand the stress! It must be pretty common, they make movies about it! Christmas vacation is one great one! LOL.
Hey I had to respond to your TNG comment. I’m glad you made writer friends, cause you’re too cool to no have been with ‘our kind’ we’d be missing out! Don’t be a hermit!