26 June 2008
by 
Do you have a powerful network of friends and colleagues who inspire you to keep trying, to push harder, to accomplish all you can be? In the past two days I’ve discovered how motivating and empowering, how VITAL a collection of friends who’ve been there, who truly know how you feel, can be for a writer.
Writers are a unique body of people. We think differently than other people. Our minds are often split with ideas and various forces pulling us in multiple directions. We tend to feel more deeply, to see with multiple perspectives, to reach out and need each other. There is something about being a writer that sets us apart from non-writers. Something that’s hard to describe but it is tangible when you’re there, in the moment, plugged in, linked!
Some of you have noticed my absence of late. You might contribute it to my trip and in a way that was a pivotal point. It spun my compass and I began to truly evaluate what I want from life. I still whirl in uncertainty, with choices that seem far and wide, but one thing that I’ve come to realize in the past two days, thanks to networking with online friends and colleagues in this writing and freelancing business is I want to be HERE, I WANT to continue to write for this blog, I want to build and truly cherish the friendships I’ve made already in this business and I want to write, I want to get past the fear, the pain, the pressure, the resistance that blocks my writing.
In a way it shows that nothing has changed. This dream, this desire has been strong, constant, all my life. Thanks to the motivation of my network, the opportunity to chat, express ideas, share confidence and be rewarded with a caring and nurturing relationship amongst fellow writers we can come back to the page, we can turn to the next challenge, we can push forward, onward, upward.
Ultimately, it is our support systems that push us toward the things we truly want. Who is in your support network? Who cherishes your desires simply because they’re yours? Do you have friends who drag you down? Do you have a quiet relief of people who know exactly what you need to hear and when to hear it?
How important is your network of friends and colleagues to you and your future success? How have they impacted your life to where you are today?
A network or community is a good way to maintain your drive in this business
I agree with you — writers are a breed apart and being a writer can be very lonely if you don’t have a way to communicate and engage with other writers. That’s why building a community is so important!
My network is invaluable. My online network consists mostly of people like me, who understand the writing business. My offline network consists of a few close friends whom I’ve known for years. Both networks are essential. Glad to see you back
I echo Sharon… Glad to see you back, Rebecca! WooHoo! I’m so glad you’ve been inspired and feel cared about. The cyber highway truly has been painfully lonely without your wise and cheerful words here.
*smiles and hugs*
Michele
Hi Rebecca!
Great post. As writers…we are often so isolated, because of the nature of our work, and because you’re right…we do think differently than others do…that our networks are so important. For me they help motivate us, inspire us, keep us sane even, and when there’s trouble, help us problem solve. They can become very much like family or like “Cheers.” (I’ve got to stop using these silver-screen and small-screen analogies. LOL) And thanks for your great comments over at From the Editor’s Desk!
-Erika
Great to see you back here, Rebecca. And hope you now feel really ready for whatever comes next. And I agree, we all need our network of friends, family, allies and well wishers. You obviously have them in spades. and well deserved. Best wishes.
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@ Melissa: It sure is, and it’s so wonderful to have friends who know where we’ve been or where we’re going. You’ve been a fabulous guide and friend for me.
@ Sharon: Having offline friends gives us a huge boon in our lives too, Sharon! I often forget that because my offline social circle is so much more limited. Having local friends gives us a chance to escape from work from time to time which is very important.
@ Michele: *blushes* Thanks! It’s good to be missed and I’m very glad to be back. Thank you so much for sharing your support through email while I was unblogging. *hugs*
@ Erika: Plurk is often compared to the “Cheers” environment. Where “everybody knows your name”. It is wonderful to feel known, and wanted as a friend. Thank you for being amongst my social network.
@ Jean: Thanks Jean, it’s good to be home. I don’t think we can ever have enough friends but it’s great to have the ones we do have.
[...] of the means I’ve discovered recently is Networking. It’s vital to keep ties with friends and associates who can build your esteem, offer [...]