If you are a writer, you need encouragement. And that's a fact. We ALL need encouragement, and it can come from many places. If you are a married writer, you know that your husband or wife (I hate the term "spouse" - it rhymes with icky things) is likely your strongest advocate. At least one would hope so. It is the case with me because Lisa, my long-suffering wife, has always been in my corner and encouraged me. When I get something published, she is a cheerleader. When I receive a particularly painful rejection, she consoles me. She is the ideal.
Isn't she lovely?
"But there are other sources, and one of the best is to find yourself a supportive group of fellow writers who meet regularly and critique each other's work in a compassionate, objective, and intelligent manner. I am in two such groups, and the one that meets in our cottage is exceptional. We have published and unpublished, young and old (me), multiple genres, multiple positions in the reach for publication. They are kind, effective, and sometimes hilarious. We call ourselves The Write Minds and we exist to encourage each other with oral and written feedback.
I am grateful for this group, and I hope you are fortunate enough to find one like it. If not, get in touch with me. Finally, this from Laurie Seidler: 'You flourish one hushed breath at a time. Imagine all you can build word by single word'.
