WANTED – Writing Buddy. Must be passionate about writing, be actively working and learning, must be honest and share goals and dreams. Most important: Keep me on track and focused. Willing to do the same for the right person.
Do you have someone in your writing life who serves as a writing buddy? If not, consider finding one.
Here are some ways a writing buddy might be helpful:
- Having someone that understands what it is to be a writer. Since a buddy shares your writing interest and passion, you have someone with an understanding of what you are about.
- Keep you motivated
- Keep you accountable
- Keep you honest
- Share challenges and achievements
- Give and receive support and encouragement
- Exchange ideas
- Exchange knowledge
- Exchange writing dreams
- Bounce story ideas around
- Brainstorm possible characters and plots
- A million other things…Fill in the blank – whatever you need.
You and your writing buddy need to define what it is that you want from each other. Some decide that they will also critique each others’ writing. Others stay with motivation and goal tracking.
Exchange a few emails and/or phone calls to see if you are a “fit” for each other. Do a trial run for a few weeks or whatever time frame works for you and see if you are well-matched, working partners.
Other questions to consider:
– Do you need a buddy who has other things in common with you?
– Do you want someone who writes in your genre(s)?
– How often will you check in with each other?
– How will you do this? Through IM? Chat? Emails? Phone calls? A combination?
– Will you keep this relationship strictly on writing or do you want to share other personal things with your buddy?
– Try the following exercise to discover what you’re looking for in a writing buddy.
HIRE A BUDDY EXERCISE
Create your own ad for the “perfect” writing buddy. What qualities are important to you? How might a buddy help you and what do you have to offer him or her?
Question for today: Post your ad for a writing buddy or share how you think a buddy might be helpful in your writing life. Do you already have one? Share your experience!
Best Wishes,
June
jonij
Apr 10, 2010 @ 18:35:55
A writing buddy! I think I have a classroom of them. They love to read my work. Always keep me on track, and kick me in the keister when I’m slacking.
On the homefront, my son and I always toss ideas around. He is writing yet another novel and we both encourage each other.
My fiance, as a budding writer, keeps me in line. He’s brutally honest where my writing is concerned. If everyone else is saying how great my writing is, he can pick something out and say, “I might say this or that differently.”
Maybe I need to get rid of a few of my writing buddies. lol
Another great post!
Joni (who needs to stop using exclamation marks so much!) lol
liveyourwritingdream
Apr 10, 2010 @ 19:39:23
Joni, I hope you realize how lucky you are to have such support.
Way to go!
(Sometimes we just have to let go and use those !!!)
Thanks Joni, for your support and comment!
Take care,
June
ANA
Apr 10, 2010 @ 20:58:32
Do I have a writing buddy? Yes and no.I have 2.One more important than the other.I have a writer friend living in Texas.He is an excellent writer.He keeps me motivated and focussed but he has one big mistake and it is that when I ask him for feedback ,he is not honest enough.I think he doesn’t want to hurt me.The problem is that in that way he is not helping me.My sister who also likes literature reads what I write but doesn’t or can’t give me good feedback.That is why I look all over the web to find somebody to help me.I have invested a lot of time to become a better writer and don’t want to give it up now.I will keep on looking until I find one.I know I will.
I know I need help in descriptive language most of all.Ideas come if I am correctly motivated.
Very good job,Joni
Ana
liveyourwritingdream
Apr 10, 2010 @ 21:15:01
Thanks for the honest sharing of your experiences with writing buddies.
Don’t give up — keep looking for someone who gives you more of what you need and looking for.
Have you tried telling your friend in Texas that you need more from him?
Best wishes!
June
ANA
Apr 10, 2010 @ 21:00:13
Sorry,good post ,June.I must have got mixed up with Joni`s post.
Sorry
🙂
Ana
liveyourwritingdream
Apr 10, 2010 @ 21:16:25
That’s okay, Ana! I’ve seen you on Joni’s blog.
I’m not at all offended in any way. 🙂
Take care,
June
Monick
Apr 20, 2010 @ 16:58:07
Great post June! I do need a writing buddy. I think I will post an ad today.
liveyourwritingdream
Apr 20, 2010 @ 20:34:54
Thanks Monick! And you can “test drive” your ad here, if you wish.
Best of luck in finding just the right writing buddy.
Take care,
June
Dare to Dream, Part 2 « Live Your Writing Dream
May 26, 2010 @ 16:11:31