This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Welcome to our regular column by secret writer, Emily Tootsweet about life on the hunt for publication. I do hope you enjoy, and if you have any questions or thoughts then please do leave a comment!
Confessions of a Wannabe Chick Lit Author by Emily Tootsweet
One is the loneliest number…
Writing can be a very lonely job. Think about it; we’re sitting at our computers for large amounts of time, stuck in our own little worlds with only our characters for company, trying to figure out what happens next to them. Sure, there are some writing double acts and they aren’t alone but for most of the writers out there, it’s a one person job.
When I started writing I was alone. I had absolutely no writing mates out there. I had no one to turn to if I got stuck or had a wibble (A Wibble is much more serious than a wobble) I was okay at first. I did my own thing in my own time but I started wishing I had someone to turn to. Someone who knew what I was going through. My non-writing mates were lovely but they didn’t understand. I thought about joining a writing class but it wasn’t for me, plus I couldn’t find one! So I turned to the internet. There *had* to be some sort of website out there for other aspiring writers who wanted to share their views and get some sort of support.
Firstly I found a few forums who read Chick lit books exclusively. They were good – great in fact – but I was looking for writers. As much as I loved talking to other fans of Chick lit, I was needing people who were on the same writing path as me.
I did find some writing forums but the Chick Lit boards would be empty, or near enough empty. I was beginning to think I was alone in the world. Surely I couldn’t be the only aspiring Chick Lit writer out there! So I started my first ever blog, imaginatively, called A Writers Guide to writing. I got no hits for ages then slowly I got visitors to my blog and then I even got some comments which really made me smile. I looked around a found more blogs by other aspiring writers. I suddenly stopped feeling so lonely. I had finally found other people to talk to about writing.
Then, I found the Novel Racers. A group of writers, published and not yet published, who welcomed me into their group with open arms. Being part of such an inspiring and supportive group of writers has helped me combat doubt, fear and so many wibbles I’ve lost count. As a group we have gone through so much together, personally and in writing terms. If it weren’t for them, I doubt I’d still be writing.
I’m always on the look for new writely friends. I’d hate to think there’s someone out there who was like me at first; alone and finding it hard to carry on without anyone to share writerly problems with. Everyone needs support at times and I just hope that writers out there know that they aren’t alone. Not really. You just have to look and there’s someone out there, someone willing to listen to you, someone willing to spur you on if there’s no one else around who understands. Writing doesn’t have to a lonely job, not if you look hard enough.
Yours,
Emily Tootsweet :o)