The Writer's Oasis: The Importance of Befriending Other Writers
The Muse is a Groupie
Writing can be such a lonely gig. We lock ourselves away and stare at a screen. Motivation can be like dragging a ball and chain through water. Over the decades…
Wait, decades? Really? That old?
Yes. Shut-up.
Over the decades, my writing output has come and gone in waves. There are several web pages and blogs that are dormant. The Angelfire ones probably wiped off the face of the universe along with my old My Space page. Oh God, I hope so. Let’s just say feisty young Tannille let it rip. And you thought I was unfiltered now…
In October 2018, I launched my current blog. For nearly 5 years I have been posting a weekly flash fiction for the world to see. That’s over 200 stories. The sole reason for the success is I joined a blogging group. The interaction with people keeps me moving forward.
A second blog, The Writing Asylum, was born in July 2020 but lagged and I didn’t really get my shiz together until January 2021. The posts tend to be more spasmodic and I considered quitting last year while suffering burnout and soul searching for my lost mojo. I decided to screw all the blogging rules about consistency and have fun. I wrote about it here —
The Writing Asylum is neglected at times. There is no interaction to spark the motivation when I have none. There doesn’t seem a point to the blog. Except this is. Since joining Medium, I have posted regularly because the content is shared. My Medium tribe cult drives the motivation. Stories are recycled (that sounds odd because it’s new content with articles posted in two places).
The cult helped me shape my voice. Laughed at my stupid jokes. Come on, some of them are lame. Others, even I wet my pants laughing. To take dry content and spice up with the ridiculousness is sooo much bleeping fun. It’s like creative writing meets the desert land of the dead. And now Micheal Jackson’s “Thriller” is playing in my head, dance moves included (no crotch grabbing).
Seriously, my brain is a playground when I write these posts. I may wind up in a mental asylum with a white jacket.
Engaging with writers also can stimulate new content. This story is inspired by Shanti C K. Shanti and I leave comments like we should get a room sometimes. Her beautiful nature is to prep talk and be warm and fuzzy. Takes the edge off my snark.
This story was prompted by my dear friend Tannille ⭐️
She speaks of her muse, and also not to force it when you feel flat, but right now, T’s my muse.
And it’s official, my muse, The Muse, is a groupie — the tart. This is what writing with writers is all about. The irony is Shanti’s words inspired me to write this article. I’m reminded of the joy of being a part of something bigger than myself. We, on this platform, inspire each other all the time. Oh, crap-a-roo, this is sounding like a bad sappy pop song. I must have a snark… With drawl symptoms near.
Writing friends understand the highs and lows of writing like no other. I can’t write on this subject and not mention, Nobbinmaug. Our friendship goes back years. We bicker and fight like cats and dogs. Mostly we offer each other accountability. Call each other out on our BS, like procrastination and doubts. He’s a like-minded writer to toss ideas around with. A friend who will read something and offer brutal feedback. After all, mothers just want to stick everything to the fridge with gold stars.
These friendships carry us when we’re low. Bring out the extrovert in all of us. Yes, introverts, there is a little show pony in you too. Friends build writing confidence.
We writers need community. And on that note. There is no more fitting article to lose my publication virginity. If Read or Die! will have me.
Like a Virgin? Touched for the very first time.
Shut-up brain. Screw you Madonna.
