Writing companions

I’ve frequently heard people talk about writing being lonely – you spend a lot of time by yourself trying to untangle and draw out the stories in your mind and put them on paper. But I don’t find writing lonely. It has led me to so many beautiful friendships. Joining a crit writing group has been one of the best things I’ve done.

We meet monthly, read each other’s writing and give feedback. As well as gaining so much insight from others’ feedback, I feel so lucky to be caught up in the stories my group is working on, to feel as passionately about their characters as they do! In a different monthly group meet-up, instead of critiquing each other’s work, we just share how we’re feeling – talk through any disappointments and frustrations and celebrate each other’s achievements both big and small. I feel very luck to be part of such a warm, inspiring and supportive writing community.

I often feel just as invested and immersed in the stories and worlds my friends are creating as I do my own. And I think talking about character motivations with friends is just the same as talking about human motivations and behaviour. It brings us closer to understanding the reasons we ourselves react to certain things the way we do, and the reasons the people around us act the way they do. It makes me a more understanding and thoughtful person. I really believe that writing is an act of empathy.

And then, of course, there’s my writing companion. I would be hard pushed to feel lonely with this grey loaf sitting by my side whenever I turn on the laptop. As I write this, she’s curled up next to me having a big bath. Hester is the biggest fan of my work; a creative pursuit that involves sitting down for long stretches of time? Purrfect! Wherever I am writing, she finds me, taps a few experimental letters on the keyboard, then nestles down alongside.

I think writing comes alive when it’s shared – in a writing group, with a friend, or even as a project you work on with others. There’s lots of support and groups out there for every kind of writer at every stage of your writing.

And think about getting a cat.