All artists, whether we paint with words, colors, or sounds need support from other artists, from those who understand what it’s like to have images and characters and melodies drifting through our minds.
When I speak of what I’m writing, when my voice rises to a fever pitch as I dive into what is exciting or frustrating … my hubs expression goes blank, his eyes glaze over, he reaches for his phone. So I stop talking. Art is a solitary experience. So much of it happens in the dark corners of our minds. Non-artists don’t understand and many of them just don’t want to. When I first started writing, almost ten years ago, I didn’t have any idea that this I-love-to-be-alone-please-don’t-make-me-interact-with-people girl would someday NEED people. But it happened.
I have a wonderful writer’s group … The Summit City Scribes. When I was invited to a meeting, I was scared. I knew these writers would be able to spot a big, old fraud. I wrote words, but I wasn’t a writer. I went because I knew it was time for feedback, for comments, no matter how it might hurt. The thing is, it didn’t hurt, it helped. I grew as a writer. I found friends to talk about writing and THEY TALKED BACK WITH EXCITEMENT! Bingo! Simply magical.
To my Scribes friends … THANK YOU! I love getting together with all of you. 🙂 You have made me a better and happier me.
Through my Critique group, I learned how every writer needs social media to be able to promote themselves. Uuuuummmm … great, I have nothing to promote. Hello, just me. Technologically challenged, I was leery. I joined Twitter about two years ago, clueless. As I tiptoed through the tweets, I finally figured it out. I could make writer friends without leaving my comfy pants or house! THIS IS BRILLIANT! Suddenly, I was interacting with other writers. I was entering pitch contests, sharing all my frustration and nerves with SO MANY OTHERS! Everyone understood. I had found my people – and I didn’t have to find a portal to another universe to get there.
But it’s more. Have a bad day writing? Twitter friends will cheer you up. Panic sets in because of queries? Twitter friends will send you chocolate. Don’t want to look at those words you wrote yesterday certain they suck? Twitter friends will pat you on the back and say, “So what? Words sometimes suck, but you can make them better!” I have met so many writers who are willing to swap queries and pages, and stories, offering great critiques. I have found CPs (critique partners), who are so great! When I need to share my worries or triumphs, I go to Twitter. Someone is always there. I just hope that I am doing my part. That I am one to help spread the understanding, the good feelings, and I pray that my critiques measure up to the ones I have received. Twitter has saved my sanity. That sounds … well, weird, but it’s true.
To all my Twitter friends … THANK YOU! I couldn’t live each day without you. You mean so much. 🙂
I am happy to be a part of the marvelous world of writers in my critique group and my Twitterverse! Where is your support? Are you twittering or in a group? Could you live without it?
Not me. Magic is real. It lives in our peers, in ourselves. SPREAD THE MAGIC!
Kathleen Palm 
I love the support that blogging and social media can give 🙂
Makes me smile everyday! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
“Art is a solitary experience.”–It really is. For the most part, I love that, but like you point out, sometimes we need human interaction and like to talk about our experience. But like your husband, mine doesn’t really get it, and I don’t expect him, too. Although I’m not part of a face-to-face writing group, through blogs and Twitter I’m able to talk about the writing experience with others who go through the same thing. Really helps keep one motivated and let’s us not feel so alone.
*high five* Thank goodness for Internet!
i like that you have a good place to show more of yourself Kathy…little bummed that the hubs didnt even “fake” an interest…Aric will at least stop what he is doing and REALLY look at my card…or scrapbook page..it makes me feel he supports it/me even when he doesn’t get or like the colors or whatever it is…
Hubs REALLY doesn’t understand and I can’t be upset when he’s just being him. Glad you found one that gives support. Thanks for visiting!
John tries. He half listens and nods:) But once I start talking craft or structure, I lose him. Guess that’s part of it. That’s why I feel recharged around writer friends. You always express it so well.
Poor guys. We aren’t trying to torture them, it just happens. lol Other writers do help me recharge, my brain is always spinning after scribes!