As none of my close friends write, infact most of
them don’t even read books, I would have
been completely lost if I did not have writing friends (most of my close
writing friends are my blog buddies and crit partners) to discuss my writing
with.
With respects to my close friends (they are
wonderful people, doing exceptionally well in their chosen professions), but
writing advice is something I don’t take from them. They would be at sea if I
were to discuss plot points, character arcs, sub-plots, story arcs, query
letters and exclusives, etc.
It’s only with my writing friends that I can discuss
all things related to writing and publishing. I can freely send them my query
letter, first few pages, synopsis and work on the feedback they send me.
Sometimes I feel, that my close friends look zapped
if I tell them that I am in the midst of writer’s block. For many people, they
feel that a writer’s job is to open a blank page and start typing. Then once a
feature, story or book is complete, it’s sent to the editor. And a writer’s job
ends, atleast where that particular piece is concerned. If only it were so!
When I told a friend that my last manuscript had undergone
several drafts and revisions, her jaw hit the floor. “I thought you had finished writing it,” she
said. “That was revision number 12,” I replied. I watched her blink rapidly,
trying to take in my words. She was under the impression that we send out our
first drafts and the editors at the publishing house twiddle their thumbs, waiting for our submissions to hit their inbox. The moment they read our work,
they sign us on the spot. She had no idea how picky the editors were. She had
never heard of the revision requests they sent to writers.
Another writer would nod at each and everything we
say, cause they have traveled that path and our familiar with what we are
undergoing. Another writer will also give us unbiased and constructive
feedback. If not for my writing buddies (read blog buddies), I would go nuts.
What about you all? Do your close friends understand
your situation? Do they understand your
writing problems? Are you like me dependent on your writing friends for
discussions related to writing and publishing?
