Saturday, September 8, 2012

Writer Friends--Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul


Writer friends are an oasis in the sometimes dry, quiet, confusing writing desert. They nourish our creative souls, and quench our thirst for discussion about books, writing fears, and personal journeys. After all, who else cares to discuss one space or two after a period?

Writer friends cheer us on when we submit our work. When we feel like talentless hacks *ahem*, they tell us, "Stop whining and keep working." (I may be paraphrasing just a bit)

Yes, writer friends make this crazy ride worthwhile. In honor of our awesome writing buddies, I thought I'd share a few cool quotes about friendship:

"Most of us don't need a psychiatric therapist as much as a friend to be silly with." -- Robert Brault

"Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." -- Mark Twain

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What? You, too? Thought I was the only one." -- C.S. Lewis

"A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad." -- Arnold H. Glasgow

"A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails." -- Donna Roberts

"The only service a friend can really render is to keep up your courage by holding up to you a mirror in which you can see a noble image of yourself." -- George Bernard Shaw

Writer friends, each of you is a priceless gem! Tell me, do you have cherished writer friends? In person, in the blogging community, or both? How have they helped shape your experience?

(And does anyone else know all the words to Spongebob's F.U.N. song? "F is for friends who do stuff together, U is for you and me...." No? I'm the only weirdo?)

photo credit



25 comments:

  1. Firstly, I'm afraid I've never heard that Fun song before. It can't have made it over to the UK. Secondly yes, yes! I have found invaluable writing friends over the Internet and I'm also lucky enough to belong to a lovely, supportive writers group here in Leicester. You can't beat writer friends. Non-writer friends just don't understand!

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  2. I love writer friends - the ones I know personally, and the ones I know through blogs and fb. We don't have to write the same genre. We all understand just how hard writing can be, but in the same turn, just how happy it makes us.

    I always learn from them!

    Here's to you, Julie!

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  3. My blogger buddies keep me sane! I have certain online friends who can make me smile no matter what. That first quote is the most meaningful to me, because ultimately, it's my wife who has the most impact on my life. And yes, the only one who really brings out the silly in me.

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  4. I love this post, Julie!

    I'm just starting to make friendships in the Blogosphere and I'm so glad that I'm making friendships online! Blogger buddies are there for a reason and I'm so glad that I have them. I too, wish could meet all my followers in person and thank them.

    Great quotes, too, Julie! Thanks! :)

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  5. You make me want to cry. But in a good way!! Love you, Julie!!

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  6. Totally choked up here. The greatest unexpected gift was when my critique partners became real, cherished friends. Love you.

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  7. My sister-in-law Dorine is my fellow writer-in-arms. We don't even live in the same state, but we send stuff to each other all the time. We're the first ones we call with good news, and bad. She's my bud.

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  8. Writer friends, yay!

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  9. Awesome post! I have 2 crit buddies who have become 2 of my best friends - even though we've never met or even spoken on the phone! :)

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  10. I love these. Thank you for sharing them! You are a good friend to all.

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  11. Fantastic post! And yes, I have writer friends both real and virtual and without them, I would be nowhere. Thank you for honoring them!

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  12. Hi, Julie. I had to stop and comment on a blog post that was aimed at writer friends, and you are definitely one of mine. I have too many to list here, but I appreciate them all. For people that busy - juggling way more than anyone should have to juggle for their art and passion - to stop and greet me, or even take the time to offer encouragement. It is an amazing thing!

    -Jimmy

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  13. Our "writerly" friends are a special group who may be the only ones who "get" us at during our times of need and understand our little celebrations, even the unpaid ones.

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  14. My writing friends are part of the blessings that help me pursue my career and not give up when darkness hits.

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  15. Love this post! When it comes to my writing, I would be NOTHING without my writer friends...

    Donna L Martin
    www.donnalmartin.com
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

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  16. Iknow the Spongebob F.U.N. song. I watched a lot of Spongebob with my son when he was younger. : )

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  17. What a wonderfully uplifting, TRUE post. Writer friends are the best. And the C.S. Lewis quote got me right in the tearducts. What a perfect way to state it!

    Thanks, Julie!

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  18. A wonderful post, Julie! Reading this post made my day! Thanks!

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  19. You guys are so awesome! Thanks for your amazing friendship :)

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  20. I'd be a big fat zero without my writer friends. Whereas, 2 years, I knew none, today, almost all my friends are writers. The best part is, in just a few weeks, I'll finally get to meet my best friend in person and will reunite with my other dear friend, both thriller writers, while at my first writers conference.

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  21. Yes, yes, and yes again! You said it, Julie!

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  22. I don't watch a lot of Spongebob, so I don't know the song, but YES! yes yes yes!!! Writer friends are what keep me going. I'd be nowhere if it weren't for them encouraging, helping, critting, pushing me through doors... Can't live without them! :o) <3

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  23. I don't know what I'd do without my writing partner, who is also a great friend. She's the one I run to with a new idea, support, brainstorming scenes...anything and everything...and she's always there for me. I'm fortunate to live so close to her. We try to meet as least once a week, but not a day goes by that we don't talk.

    What a great post!

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