Writing is generally considered a solitary activity. And while it definitely is, that doesn’t mean that you need to go into this all on your own. Writing is hard work and you’ll probably need help along the way. I know I do. Here are four people in particular that can make your job a little bit easier.
1) A cheerleader
There’s no better pick-me-up than someone complimenting your writing. I always love it when a friend or total stranger sends me an e-mail just to say, “I read your book/blog post/story and I really like it!” Writers take risks by sharing their work with the world. They face criticism and rejection and generally unpleasant possibilities by letting people read what they’ve written. But when someone tells you they like what you’re doing, it makes everything worth it.
My cheerleaders: My parents, my little brother, my best friend, and anyone who’s ever commented on my blog posts.
2) An editor
On the other hand, writing can’t always be sunshine and roses, either. If you want to get better at it, you need someone who’s willing to politely but honestly tell you what can be fixed. I can’t tell you how unbelievably helpful it is to find other writers that take time out of their days to work with me. I highly recommend finding a critique partner (or a few!) if you don’t have one already. When you find one who’s a good fit, and who thinks you’re a good fit for them, your writing will thrive because of it.
My editors: My amazing critique partners and beta readers.
3) A motivator
Admit it, you’ve procrastinated before. We all have. Certain projects are more fun than others, and the harder ones sometimes get pushed off until later. This is where your motivators come in. They’re the ones that give you a little boost and check in on you to make sure you’re not watching Netflix instead of getting the job done. And then when they’re falling behind, you’re there for them, too.
My motivators: My blogger friends and Twitter followers.
4) A mentor
And finally, everyone should have a mentor in their life. This can be someone you know or simply someone you admire, but it should be someone who inspires you to practice your writing. Your favorite authors can be your mentors, a blogger you’ve known for a while can be your mentor, it can even be your parents. Whoever it is, your mentor is making you a better writer, and that’s awesome.
My mentors: My parents, my favorite authors, Joe Bunting from “The Write Practice, our very own Bryan Hutchinson from “Positive Writer,” and A.S. King.
Like I said in the first section, it’s great to get a compliment. It’s also great to give compliments. Take some time to single out the people in your life who make writing easier and fun and send them an e-mail. Thank them for helping and inspiring you. Let them know how much they mean to you. I can guarantee they’ll appreciate it.
Your turn! Who are your cheerleaders, editors, motivators, and mentors? Share in the comments!
This post was written by Positive Writer contributor, The Magic Violinist.
