Tuesday, August 21, 2012

So you're in love with a writer? Have fun with that.




I finally joined the 21st century and bought an iPhone this week. Actually, My Boy bought it for me after he listened to me tell a friend why I couldn't keep up with social media.

*Expletive*. Now I have no excuse.

If you love to write (which you probably do since you read this blog), how does your spouse support or hinder your dreams? (No spouse-bashing, please. Unless it's anonymous and entertaining.)

I honestly couldn't have gotten a publishing contract without My Boy's belief in my dreams (or at least his excellent acting skills).

Here are just a few tips for those who love a writer but aren't sure how to show it...

-Take the writer's "job" seriously. Even if they're not working a paying gig right now, the freebies are building a platform that can cause future success. (A.k.a. sales. Which might just work for your $$$benefit$$$ some distant day. ;)

-Be sympathetic. There are going to be ups and downs in this journey, and lots of rejections. This is normal. Sometimes all a writer needs is a little empathy and a lot of chocolate.

-Offer to help around the house some, especially when your spouse has a day-job. It's just the nice thing to do.

-Don't whine about the price of conferences when you just bought a new car for yourself. Consider these opportunities an investment. Just know they're a little like the stock market... it could still all go bust, but you married your spouse for her gambling habits anyway, right?

-Brainstorm with your writer. Let him/her bounce ideas off you and give KIND feedback. (Writers talk. A lot. It's how we process ideas. But we also like to listen... lucky you!)

-Buy an iPhone. For yourself. Because you will probably want to keep track of the random personal stories your spouse is telling about you on the Internet. ;)

That's about all for now... until you add your 16-point list to the comments.

1...2...3... Go!

***
Bekah Hamrick Martin is the author of The Bare Naked Truth, the book that pokes fun at the lies girls believe about sex.

2 comments:

  1. 1. I don't have an iPhone

    2. I'm a single girl so my non- existent spouse is supportive. I try to project this positive thoughts to him. Seriously, it's something I feel like I should be away of in dating. If I can't date a guy & feel like he's ombaord with me pursuing writing, maybe I shouldn't date him.

    3. I have family though. I don't really talk to them about my writing much. It seems hard to me. There are times though I'd like to see if I can bounce ideas off of them but idk, it's awkward.

    4. However my mom did say something about if i wanted to *travel* to a conferance sometime she'd go so I didn't have to be alone! I don't think she realizes you have to pay guest fees. But w/e, my brother is getting out of the military & looking all over the country for a job. Everytime he mentions one I check to see if there are writers conferences close by :) what a convenient reason to have a yearly visit ;)

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  2. I love it, haha! And you totally just gave me an idea for visiting my brother who just moved to Denver, lol!

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