A true friend

I've been facing some seriously big fears lately--ever since I started writing  a gritty, dystopian YA which is a huge step outside my normal genre of historical romance and fantasy. Hey, I had a cool dream. What can I say? Each time those insidious little fears crop up, I just shut them out and focus on writing the best book I can and hope for the best.  Usually that works.

Last week, I almost fell apart and gave in to my fears--one of those "why do I write?" kind of things. This wasn't just because of the YA dystopian, this was also about a couple of Regency manuscripts that seem to be going nowhere, one of which I'm feeling a time-crunch because it's book 3 of a series.  This all resulted in a serious identity crisis. Chocolate wasn't going to fix this.

After spending most of the day either crying or snapping at my family, I called a friend, someone whom I really trust, and sobbed all over the phone. She cried with me, sympathized with me, validated all my fears, and then promptly turned around and told me why I can write and why I need to write this story. It was incredibly healing.

I couldn't have done that to everyone. Not everyone can help. Too many people out there cause more damage than good--well-meaing, of course, but damaging, nonetheless. Others, like my husband, tell me I can do it because they know that's the right thing to say. But my hubby doesn't read much beyond the sports section and he's certainly never read more than a few lines of anything I've written. So I honestly can't believe he's a credible source of encouragement. He wants me to be happy, but he doesn't really know if I can write or not.

My friend is not only an author and an avid reader, but she doesn't see herself as in any sort of competition with me. She gives unselfishly of her time when I need her and is comfortable to ask for my help, too.

My advise to any author or aspiring author is this:  It's okay to turn to that one friend whose opinion you trust and who has your best interest at heart. Writing is a lonely business, but we don't have to be alone. Love ya, Jen.