What A Writer Needs, Part 6 – Interactions with Other Writers

Writers historically need other writers.  J.R.R. Tolkien knew C.S. Lewis in a little group they formed known as the Inklings.  Edgar Allan Poe knew Charles Dickens, though they had a bit of a falling out over a piece Edgar wrote that Charles took as an insult to the British monarchy.   All writers whether they want to admit it or not are sensitive.  H.G. Wells had artist and writer friends, all interested in experimenting within their works and some interested in free love.  H.G. had children outside of marriage as well as in, and one of his writer mistresses hoped that someday after Jane Wells died,  but he didn't marry again.  Then there was the group of writers who were contemporaries of Robert Burns.  I didn't know they existed, until I went to the kirkyard in Dumfries, Scotland, where Burns is buried.  On the the stones of his friends and allies, a history is written of how they struggled and protested against the British by writing in the Scottish language.  If you go there, you'll read about it on their grave stones.  Who was imprisoned for the protest and who suffered.  Being a poet was not all roses.

As for the ladies, you know about the Bronte sisters.  But so many others didn't have a writer friend let alone a sister who wrote.  They were isolated in their work.  Many for the longest time wrote under male names.  Even today, some authors will use initials, so they can get past any discrimination regarding their work.

All groups of writers don't always get along.  Sometimes you may find a critique partner in the group.  But when all is said and done, you may find some friends.  People who share your cause, understand the challenges, will still encourage you up when you've gotten your 1000th rejection, and applaud the day you're published and every day after.

Nothing made me laugh so hard, as when an audience member asked the panel of authors I was on if we wrote in our pajamas.  Yes, every member admitted to writing in their pajamas.  When I was without a day job for a while, I spent days writing non-stop in my pajamas, until my adorable husband complained.  Why did I do it?  I didn't want to disrupt the flow of the splendid story rushing from my fingers onto the keyboard.  Why did the other writers do it?  For the same reason.  We all nodded.  We all understood.

That's the biggest reason you will want writers for friends.  They will understand, when the rest of the world might think you're crazy.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

 

Filed under: A Writing Sirloin Tip, Susan Hanniford Crowley, What A Writer Needs