The best thing about writing is connecting with other writers.  Other book nerds who get what it’s like to live in your head much of the time.  I’ve just recently moved states and I’ve been having trouble finishing a book.  I have quite a few of them started, but I didn’t know which one I wanted to finish. Too many options!

This is why the writing community is so important.  When you get stuck, there is someone there to help you.  Writing is a solitary job, but I’m so grateful for my “people” who keep me at the computer with their daily correspondence and encouragement.

This week, one of my oldest writing friends asked for all the books I have “well-started” — ie., at least 10,000 words.  So I opened Scrivener, collected them all up and compiled them for her to read.  The next day, the verdict was in — finish “The Wentworth Heiress” book.

I’m really excited about this book, which I plan to publish myself because it doesn’t fit neatly into a genre and that makes it difficult for publishers.  So I would describe it as a family saga/chick lit/mystery.  I think it works because it comes from my own passion about how complicated family dynamics can be.  But I wouldn’t have known it was working without the feedback.

That’s why community is so important.  It lets us know we’re not alone. So I’m grateful for the outside influence.  Because every once in a while, it’s important to get out of your own head!  It’s one thing to like your own story, it’s another to let it go out in the world and collect feedback.