Writing Friends

Okay, today I'm going to share the single greatest resource I've had since becoming a writer. Are you ready? It's... friends! Cue the My Little Pony music!

In all seriousness, though, getting out of your own brain and hearing someone else's thoughts is the best tool I'm aware of for pushing forward. Writers block is especially weak to the power of a good friend with willing ears. I can't tell you how many times I've been stuck, pound my head on the wall, screamed at the night sky, listened to random playlists on YouTube, and just continued writing and deleting the same lines over and over when all I needed was to talk it through with my wife.

Critique partners, beta readers, or just someone who genuinely wants to listen, having another brain to check things out for you can be an immense boon to your writing process. I know writers have been portrayed as lonely, secluded hermits who just want to shut the world out and write, but come on. Really? I'll agree I have my days like that but if you don't experience the life, you can't write life. And if you don't engage with people, you can't write people. 

So, that amazing resource. Just look around. If you can find one person, just one, who thinks what you're writing is interesting and is willing to genuinely listen, treasure them. They will help your writing more than a thousand style guides.

Don't Forget to be Awesome!