Saturday, April 12, 2014

K is for Kinship

K is for Kinship. We writers feel a sense of kinship when we meet other writers. It’s like we are meeting another kindred spirit or meeting the other half of our souls. We all undergo the same emotions day in and day out. Our journeys, hopes and aspirations are similar. We can discuss books with them without putting them to sleep.

This sense of kinship that we share with other writers makes us eager to help them in any small way we can: by giving them shoutouts on our blogs, by critiquing their query letters, first few pages, and entire manuscripts, by sharing tips and advice with them, by helping them promote their books.

Their success becomes our own and so does their failure. I feel very bad when my critique partners talk about the rejections they have met with. Their rejections hurt as much as my own rejections hurt me.

Don't we all look forward to helping our writing pals? Do you nurse a bruised heart when a critique partner’s book is rejected?

Note: this is my post for the A to Z Challenge. My theme is Emotions and Feelings writers experience.



25 comments:

  1. I like helping other writers so I check out their books and share them.

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  2. I am always so glad when things go well for my writing buddies, and while I wouldn't say my ego is bruised when things go badly for them, I certainly feel their disappointment keenly. And sometimes I'm quite perplexed when I see something they've written that is so good and yet doesn't get picked up. It really is such an up and down journey we all take together.

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  3. I feel a definite kinship with other family historians. I get caught up in the stories about their families as if they're my own. When they have stumbled into a brick wall with their research, I find myself trying to solve the problem too. I get excited when they find a new bit of information. Several of us plan to meet face to face for the first time at an upcoming genealogy convention. Can't wait. KINSHIP -- yes, perfect word today!
    Wendy at Jollett Etc.

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  4. I like this. I am new to the writing world, but have already met some great people and read some interesting manuscripts.

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  5. I don't have any writing support in real life, so I so greatly, greatly appreciate the people I meet online--those I can share my craft with, and allow to share theirs.

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  6. Wonderful post and I do feel a kinship to almost all writers I meet. I've found not all writers are as friendly in person as they are online though. Still, I love writers and I love helping them in any way I can--especially new writers just getting started.

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  7. The support, help, and encouragement are what makes this writing community unique and awesome.

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  8. My writing friends are the best! So glad to be able to share this journey with them. Thanks for being one of those faithful friends! :)

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  9. I think it's important for writers to connect with other writers. That sense of kinship keeps us going. Blogging is a great way to find other writers.

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  10. I had a pretty harsh critique from a beta reader, but I figured it out. I ignored it. No, not really. I took what I could use and ignored the rest. Leaving my fragile emotions out of it.

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  11. I'm really enjoying your theme and your posts. Yes, the kinship among writers means a lot to me. I don't know how I'd survive without it.

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  12. I don't know where I'd be without my writing buddies/critique group, probably unpublished;-) I love sharing what has helped me.

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  13. The writers which I have met on line have been really supportive. I particularly appreciate those who take the time to offer critique and suggestions, which takes time and involves a certain level of trust and respect.

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  14. Yes, it bothers me when a writer friend gets a rejection. And I love to promote their successes. A community of writers, small or large, is a wonderful thing.

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  15. This is so true. Nobody understands a writer like another writer!

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  16. I write fiction and work as a freelance writer, so I find that it's very isolating. You feel like nobody understands your struggles. Just spending a few minutes with a person who is dealing with the many unknowns of being a newly published author OR handling freelance writing clients is like a lifeline to me! I feel like I'm someone walking through the desert, searching for any small droplets of water (writing wisdom!) I can find at this point!

    Visiting from the A to Z Challenge signup page. Great to meet you!

    Stephanie Faris, author
    30 Days of No Gossip
    http://stephie5741.blogspot.com

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  17. I don't know what I'd do without all my fellow bloggers. Their support and encouragement are so important to me. :)

    Thank you for stopping by my blog the other day!

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
    Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
    The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge

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  18. Yay for writerly pals! I totally wince when my friends receive a smack, but mostly, I party like a maniac and offer cheese when it's time to celebrate, or when tissues are broken out. Everyone needs some sunshine, eh?

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  19. I have to say, Rachna, that I'm normally quite shy, but I feel so myself within the author crowd. And sharing successes and failures and supporting each other is the greatest thing about this community. Writer’s Mark

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  20. Oh sure, I feel a blogger friend's pain when they report a rejection. I think kinship is strong on the Web--time zones and geographic boundaries certainly are blurred.

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  21. I want to say a big cheers to our fellow writers! We go through their journeys as part of our own lives and they do the same for us. One language (not literally), one experience. We all know and understand it. Lovely post ;)

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  22. I agree that there is a real kinship among bloggers! I realized it right away when I participated in my first A to Z in 2011!

    Julie

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  23. They help me and I help them. I feel their pain and happiness. The bond of kinship is strong.

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  24. I don't know of any other group that have the special kinship shared by writers. The bond is unique. Definitely.

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  25. I have to agree with so many of the previous comments! Writers share a special bond. In my experience, there is not competition, but only an eagerness to help each piece be the best it can be. Great writing is the only reward we need to help others with their work, and for them to help us!

    New follower! :)

    Michelle @ In Media Res

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