Since I started my current WIP a little over a year ago, I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually brainstormed with my husband or someone else in my family about the book. For whatever reason, I've sort of clammed up when it came to sharing what I'm writing with people I actually *know* in person. I have my critique partners that I've never actually met. I have a few beta readers, only one of which I've met. I just couldn't bring myself to tell people near me in real life what I was writing.
I think it's partly due to the fact that I was afraid of failure. If I told all of my local friends what I was writing, and then I failed, well, that would be so embarrassing. Then, there was the fact that I'm writing a young adult novel.I suppose I thought those around me would think I'm childish if I'm writing for young adults. I'm not entirely sure what I was afraid of with that one. I mean, who truly wants to forget what those days were like when you first fell in love? I know I don't.
But here's the kicker, I've recently learned that my friends and family are extremely supportive. They've read what I'm writing and they encourage it. They ask me questions that get me thinking about the tiny little things in the novel that can really turn out to be important big things. My husband will actually brainstorm with me and help me tie pieces together in ways I hadn't even thought of. It's remarkable how relieving it is to have people know what I'm doing and to actually want to see more. It's so wonderful to know that I was wrong about what people would think about what genre I'm writing.
It seems like I'm always blogging about the lessons I'm learning while writing. I won't complain about that, though. It's these lessons that are keeping me on track. It's these silly little things that happen in my life that inspire me to keep writing in the first place.
With whatever your goals are for writing or even just life, I wish you the same support and encouragement that I've received. It's amazing the difference it can make.
This is a really interesting topic and I have to say you are extremely lucky!
ReplyDeleteAlthough my family supports me, I can't say I am lucky because unfortunately they don't understand what I'm really going through.
I'm about to start my own business (book related) thanks to my passion for books and the only person who totally understands is my friend, housemate & business partner Silvia. It's really difficult because I guess it's another generation and they all think we're sitting in front of a screen all day long doing nothing. And my family always thought my passions were crap, so I'me used to it.
I'm happy anyway, as I think in the end it's me who's doing it and it's me who takes gratifications out of it so it's ok :)
Yay for support and encouragement! It's an awesome thing to have, and it's amazing how much you need it, even if you don't realize it.
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