Support

So I am sick as a dog . . . presuming it's strep courtesy of the infectious disease ward in this house, and so this will be brief as I also have a deadline and need to do some polishing, and then hit the sack again. Though I just took a couple of Advil, so who knows? Maybe I will have a surge of feeling great. Trying to stay optimistic.

This week, I had sent out an email to a few friends I knew were spiritual--they were Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and one who worships, as I call it, "the pagan gods." I was covering my bases for my daughter. I was buoyed by all the support, the prayers, the phone calls, and it truly got me through a sucky (how is that for writerly?) week. (And you know, I could dress it up with all sorts of fancy vocabulary words, but sucky nails it.)

And over at my post at Magical Musings, Theresa had commented that online support is great, but there is something about the comraderie of an in-person support group for writers. Actually, I have been just as lifted by my online support this week, but in terms of writing, I miss the energy of being there in person with my group. Right now, I phone in and "conference call" the meeting. Over the years, my groups has seen me through writing ups, and writing downs . . . and personal ups and downs that, as a writer, seem to become enmeshed in the Work.

I also have come to treasure my online writing network. I don't have any online CPs, but talking craft with other writers is a bright spot in my day.

Now, as a writer, I have to say, I get zero support from my Significant Other, mainly because the guy doesn't read. Ever. So it's not as if I can explain to him the struggles. It's, for him, an "I don't get it" kind of thing, because it sure as hell looks like I get to do my job in my pjs. In fact, though my family (casting my net wider to relatives/siblings/parents) cheers me on, I would never really TALK to them about my struggles as a writer. It's a fairly unique position. If I get back rewrite notes from an editor, and have to reimagine a section of the book, probably only other creative people "get" that, as well as the rejections, the little stabbing pain you feel when someone posts they HATE your book, or the smile when you realize a reader who has taken the time to email you GETS your book. It's this very distinct little subset of experiences.

So, thanks to all the online friends who got me through my sucky week. And tell me, who do you get support from in your writing journey?