The Importance of a Writing Family by Layna Pimentel

Please welcome Layna Pimentel to my blog. Author of paranormal and historical romance, she is one of my critique partners and a great friend.

My Writing Family

By Layna Pimentel

I wanted to take a moment and thank our hostess for asking me back. Without Jessica, who is also my critique partner, I don't even want to hazard a guess of where I'd be today. She's as genuine as they get, and hell, one of the most patient people I know.

[image error]Writing can be comparable to an intergalactic space odyssey that you may or may not want to do, ever again. Unfathomable things will happen to you; your mind, body and soul, soon become their own entities and will have you speaking in jargon or swearing. Post-it notes are plastered everywhere imaginable, and you'll forget to add the Eagle Brand to your pumpkin pie. You'll hear your kids asking you if they can go hang out with Jane and yet the only thing swimming in your head is how the heck you're going to fill a plot hole the size of the bloody Milky Way. Your husband will nag you to death if you've started the wash yet, and then you suddenly become inspired by the empty space on top of the washing machine. Spin cycle anyone? LOL And this folks, is why my Writing Family rocks, and why we all need one.

They ground me when I'm ready to give up, they give me tough love when I need it and most of all, they CAN relate. No matter, how many times I beat myself up and want to throw in the towel, these wonderful people instill motivation, cheer you on, and listen. There isn't anything that you've done, that they haven't experienced.

[image error]Now, this post is not to discount my poor husband who passes the tissue box and cautiously gives me a hug when things aren't going so well, but without those talented writers whom I consider my Writing Family, I'm pretty sure I'd be headed to nowhere land. On that note, a huge part of meeting these folks was via Twitter. It's been a pleasure to make these new associations and bear witness to a variety of opportunities coming from some social networking. In addition, joining organizations such as the RWA have been instrumental and a never-ending source of information.

Take a leap of faith; meet people, join a writers group, or offer to beta read for others. You'd be surprised at some of the lifelong friendships you'll make along the way, learn even more about writing and find some satisfaction knowing that you've made it this far.

Find Layna here: blog, twitter, facebook