S - To Be a Writer, You Don't Need...a Support System at Home + BONUS
We all want to be supported by our family andfriends. It’s only natural. But that doesn’t always happen. Many writers (andartists in general) don’t receive support from their loved ones. The peopleclosest to them may not understand their wishes to spend their time writing fora number of reasons. The people in your life may outright ridicule your dreams orbe subtler about it by not ever asking about your writing, which can causepain, especially if you want to share it with them. They may say it’s a wasteof time, not a good career move, not a reliable way to make money, that youwon’t ever have the success of So-And-So, etc., etc. Over time, this naysayingcan damage writers and actually push them to stop writing. Nothing is moredevastating for a writer than to stop writing, for whatever reason. But to stopwriting because you’re discouraged by your loved ones’ lack of support breaksmy heart.
Again, we all want to be supported in our pursuits,especially if what we’re doing makes us happy and is part of our dream. When itdoesn’t happen, it’s incredibly hurtful.
I have heard from writers who quit writing for thisvery reason and confessed that it was one of their biggest regrets. Why was itone of their biggest regrets? Because they are writers, because they love towrite, and were meant to be writing the entire time they forced themselves notto do what came naturally to them. Eventually, many of them picked writing backup, but after many years had gone by.
Have you ever heard that insecure people are theones who put others down? That they aren’t happy with themselves or theirlives, and to make themselves feel better, they criticize others? Well, Ibelieve this is true. The naysayers want you to quit because they want to feelsuperior over you, as if their life is better, their dreams are more important.They are threatened by what you have, what you do, and what you inspire to do.
When you quit, they defeat you. Don’t. Let. Them.Win.
If you experience negative reactions from others(be it from family, friends, co-workers, teachers...even if it’s just from oneor two people who are dear to you), I ask you not to give up or give in. Don’tlisten to what they say. Listen to your heart and creativity instead. Let yourpassion speak louder. Let your muse be your biggest supporter.
There’s a reason why writing is said to be asolitary endeavor, because you only need yourself to write a book. Later, youneed more people on your team to help you get your book ready for publication,but to write, it’s just you, your creativity, and your muse. Or in other words:you, You, and YOU.
Now, although I say you don’t need a support systemat home, which is a defense mechanism, a support system of some kind is helpfuland can build you up when others are tearing you down.
If you don’t have support from the people who youwish would support you, you can write without them (without their blessings orinterest) and find other writers who probably need the support, too. Givingsupport to other writers and receiving it in return can make all thedifference.
BONUS A TO Z
THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN
S - Sassy & Simone
Sassy is Avrianna's adoptive aunt and foster mom. She has her own personal style that often involves pink from head-to-toe and feather boas.
Universal Killer Excerpt:
“Oops,” Sassy said. “I moved your gun’s purse.”
“It’s called a holster.”
“It looks like a purse. I’ll fix it for you.” She started to straighten the holster, but Avrianna slapped her hand away.
“Don’t touch the gun.”
“It’s crooked.” Sassy went to try again.
Whack. “Don’t.”
“But—” Sassy’s fingers zeroed in on the leather case once more.
Whack.
“Fine.” Sassy started to turn away but stopped. “Aren’t you going to snap the button back on?” She poked the button on the strap.
Smack. “Don’t.”
“Safety first, Avrianna.”
Whack.
“Okay, but do you know there’s grease or something on it? Right there.”
Smack.
“Aren’t you going to wipe it off? I’ll get it for you.” Sassy licked her finger and went to clean off the smudge from the back of the polymer gun.
Avrianna slapped away Sassy’s fingers once more before rounding on her. “Don’t. Touch. The. Gun.”
Sassy sighed. “Fine.”
Simone is the medical examiner at Aurora Police Department and one of Avrianna's closest friends. If Snow White worked with corpses, well, you'd have Simone. Except, Snow White is as gentle as a snowflake and Simone is a flirtatious vixen.
Cocky Killer Excerpt:
Dr. Simone White stood next to the table, writing notes on a clipboard. She flipped a piece of paper over and made a quick notation. She wore her favorite black scrubs, and her black hair was tied into a bun at the top of her head. Her pale skin appeared moon-kissed, and her lips were painted the brightest red Avrianna had ever seen.
“Hey, Sim, what do you got?”
Simone peered up from the clipboard. “It’s what Mr. Sherman doesn’t have that’s the problem,” she said.
Avrianna stood on the other side of the examination table. “What do you mean?”
“Someone castrated him.”
That was far from what Avrianna expected to hear. “Really?”
“Yeah, do you want to see?” Simone reached for the white sheet covering Axel.
“No.” She put up her hands. “I’m good. Thanks. I’ll take your word for it.”
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