Posted on April 26, 2012 - by Shari Barr
Surviving the Writing Life
Surviving life as a writer is tricky at times. This was especially true back in the early days of article writing. People looked at me funny when I told them I was a writer. It seemed as though no one actually knew a writer. A few people muttered shyly under their breath that “someday” they wanted to write a book, but essentially I was alone in my little world of Writerdom.
I knew I needed to spend time with other writers but that seemed impossible when I knew no one who wrote seriously. Living on a farm has way more advantages than disadvantages, but it can be a lonely place when looking for a writing buddy to share dreams and disappointments, especially in the pre-computer era.
Years ago, I realized that frustrations were going to get the best of me unless I had fellow writers to support me. I remembered a writer’s conference in a college town I had attended several years earlier. Fortunately I had saved the materials from that conference, so I dug them out of hiding and found some information about a woman I had met—Amy Houts. By this time, internet had found its way into our home, so I Googled her name and learned she still lived in the area. I emailed her and she readily invited me to her writer’s group. Driving an hour seemed a small price to pay for basking in the companionship of other writers. Finally I was surrounded by people who “got” me.
From that day forward, I knew I was where God wanted me. Not only did Amy become my cheerleader, she is now one of my best friends. She has rooted for me from day one and continues to do so. Without her I would have given up a long time ago.
Everyone needs a support system, not just writers. Anyone who has a job outside the norm would benefit from surrounding themselves with like-minded people, at least once in awhile. Though I know I’m writing for God, I still need earthly encouragement on a regular basis. The confident words of other writers who have walked the same path help me through those times when I think I’d be better off picking up pop cans and redeeming them for a nickel.
Everyone needs an eternal cheerleader. If you don’t have one, go where they hang out—conferences, classes, or specialized online groups. You’ll find plenty to choose from, many of whom need your support every bit as much as you need theirs.
20 Comments
We'd love to hear yours!
White Pearls by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Shell doesn't have a good reputation...But no matter what everyone in Rose Bud, Arkansas, thinks of her, she's back in town with a job to do. She'll stick it out and make the best of things. But why does Ryler have to be the landscaper on this project? She was just getting her heart under control. Ryler has his own reasons for being in Rose Bud, and they don't include Shell. Spying on his birth family was going to be hard enough. He doesn't have time to worry about a woman who dumped him...even if his heart says otherwise. McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr
McKenzie and Sydney meet in Branson, Missouri, where McKenzie has been recruited to help at the Dixie Stampede. While the girls take in the sights and sounds of Silver Dollar City, they become involved in a search to find a teen girl’s long lost uncle–who is rumored to have settled near the Branson area. With no clue other than a whittled necklace with an “SS” on the back, how will they ever reunite Shara with her uncle? The Camp Club girls are on the case, and they’re not about to give up until they close the gap and reconnect Shara’s family.
The Prodigal Daughter by Linda Fulkerson
Ruled by despair, remorse, and anger, the author’s life had become a classic rendition of the cliché “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Desperate. Overwhelmed. Isolated. Trapped. She hit bottom.
On the elevator of life, those descending will all exit on different levels–some much lower than others. You don’t have to go all the way to the bottom. Stop now and push the “up” button. This book will show you how!
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Carla Gade said:
Oh, yes, I agree so much that we all need those cheerleaders. The writing world can be such a solitary and misunderstood place. I’m so grateful for the ways we have to connect online today!
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Brenda Anderson said:
So true, Shari. Without my earthly cheerleaders, I’m certain I would have given up long ago. I’m blessed to have my wonderfully encouraging family and so many friends to support me.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Dawn Ford said:
I agree with Carla and Brenda. I would never have started writing without some Inksper who cheered me on before I could string a good sentence together. And since I hear my character’s voices in my head, and talk back to them, I need someone who understands me.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
Carla, I agree that writers are a very misunderstood group of people. I know I couldn’t do it without my cheerleaders.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
Brenda and Dawn,
I really feel for writers who give up writing because they have no support. I think it’s more common then we realize. If only every wannabe writer would find their own personal cheerleader. Think of all the good books we’d have to choose from.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Bonnie Jaeckle said:
Great article Shari!
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Regina Merrick said:
After a couple of years of writing fan fiction voraciously, a couple of our Inkspers pulled me, kicking and screaming
into their online writing group.
Although I’m not published YET, these cheerleaders, along with all the others I’ve acquired along the way, make me know that this IS something I can do – in God’s time! Thanks for the tribute to those important people in our lives!
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
Thanks, Bonnie!
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
Regina,
It’s so easy to get discouraged, but, yes, in God’s time it will happen.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Jean Fischer said:
You’re so right, Shari. We all need our cheerleaders. Thank you for being one of mine!
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
You’ve sure encouraged me Jean and I thank you for that!
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Kav said:
Cheerleaders is a great way to describe those writing friends, isn’t it? I still marvel at this online community I’ve stumbled upon.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Marianne said:
Since i am not a writer, it would be easy for me to say that this is not important, or meaningful to me. But i do know the importance of a support group – or cheerleaders, and want to say thanks for the post.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Lorna said:
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!!! Shari, you couldn’t be more right. Emegency brainstorming sessions are just one bonus you get with a support system for which I am very grateful today.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shannon Taylor Vannatter said:
Don’t know what I’d do without my cheerleaders in this group. I still need someone close to home though. I’m so jealous of Dawn and Lorna living so close together and with the bonus of Mary Connealy right around the corner.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Lori Benton said:
I wouldn’t want to go this journey without my fellow writers. I’ve been blessed with them locally and, for the past few years, writer friends on line too. In some ways the latter group are even closer. Must be because I do my best and deepest communication in writing. But there’s something to be said for looking into the eyes of a person who’s right there at a table with you, sharing a coffee, and seeing that they get you.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
Marianne,
Yes, no matter who you are or what you do, everyone needs a support system. We’re all God’s children and showing encouragement is part of being a Christian.
Visit My Website
April 26, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
Lorna, Shannon, Lori,
I, too, love the online support. If you can’t be face to face (which I admit is better) online is a close second. I love talking in person with people, though, whose eyes don’t glaze over when I talk about writing.
Visit My Website
April 27, 2012
Permalink
Glenda Knapp Parker said:
Your post helped me a lot. I love to write but the people in my church think I am crazy for writing to write fiction. I don’t know another writer and have been unable to find a writing buddy. It makes life difficult. Thank you for the post.
Way out in rural Nebraska,
Glenda Parker
Visit My Website
April 27, 2012
Permalink
Shari Barr said:
I know just how you feel, Glenda. Writing isn’t taken seriously lots of times. When people treat a writer’s success (or attempts at success)with indifference or lack of interest, I don’t think they realize how much that hurts the writer. A writer puts their heart and soul into their work and when it’s not acknowledged the writer often tends to build a wall or climb into a hole, so to speak. That’s when the loneliness sets in, and when that happens, at least for me, I start to doubt my abilities. Then I start to pray more earnestly, and I always get the same message-don’t quit.
I’m glad the post helped, Glenda. Please feel free to contact me anytime.