Everyone needs buds. MIne come in, um, human and online form. Physical and online? Ok, that sounds better. I couldn’t parent without mine, and I couldn’t write without my crew of fellow writers, too–a couple of whom, today, totally offhand, provided me with complete inspiration when I really needed it. Writers (like parents) tend to work alone. I’m lucky enough to have a couple of editors I’m in regular contact with, and a couple of steady gigs that mean I don’t always feel like I’m flinging words into the abyss–but when the abyss feels large and gaping, my favorite online community (that would be Byline on the Well, in case you’re wondering) comes through.
Those online words of encouragement that feel so easy to toss around? They can matter.