It is so lovely to be here visiting with Delilah. We met through one of her fabulous online courses many moons ago. Since then, I have written six books and two novellas, all published – I am pretty sure Delilah had a part to play in that! So when she asked me if I’d like to guest blog, I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about. Friendship and support in the writing world.
Knowing there are people out there to support you in your dreams means everything for a feeling of inner strength and belief. It is human nature to doubt what you are thinking or doing, and worrying people will laugh or put you down. When you meet people who cheer you on, love and admire your work and most of all, share your struggles, it gives an incredible sense of excitement and optimism.
Writers are often introverts and happy in their own company. This means that voice in your head telling you to give up or you’re not good enough will take over if you don’t fill your mind with other thoughts. My advice? Mix up your social circle, reach out through social mediums such as Twitter and Facebook and surround yourself with optimistic, supportive and fun people. You will be amazed how quickly you realize those thoughts are echoed and conquered throughout your writing peers every day.
Which means?
That you can stand tall and know you are no better or worse than the successful writers out there. Stand back and watch yourself grow and shine until you feel as though your star is in reach – because it is!
Rachel’s current historical release is The Arrival of Lily Curtis and one of her recent contemporaries is Getting It Right This Time.
Here are the blurbs and buy links:
Getting It Right This Time
Two years after her husband’s death, Kate Marshall returns home a widow, seeking security and stability for her three-year-old daughter. But when her path crosses with ‘the one who got away’…her husband’s best friend, she has to fight the desire to be with him for the sake of further heartbreak for her…and her daughter.
A tough, straight talking theatrical agent, Mark Johnston is dangerously handsome, exceedingly rich, irresistibly charming – and branded by the tabloids as one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors. So even though he lost the girl of his dreams five years before to his best friend, Mark finds no hardship is being single. Or so he thought…but now Kate is back.
Determined not to lose her a second time, Mark has to find a way to convince her they can work. But can Kate cope with the media interest and ruthless, money-hungry clients surrounding him being anywhere near her daughter? Or accept that Mark Johnston is really the family man he claims to be?
The Arrival of Lily Curtis
At the mention of an arranged marriage, Elizabeth Caughley feels her life is over at the age of three and twenty….so she hatches an escape plan. She will reinvent herself as a housemaid. Overnight, Elizabeth becomes Lily…
Viscount Westrop wants nothing more than his legacy to be passed to his own son one day. Even though he feels insurmountable pity for the unborn child already, he knows how much pain a broken promise can cause and will do what is right. But with the arrival of his new housemaid, his plans are thrown into disarray. Lily is funny, feisty and the most beautiful creature on earth – Andrew is thunderstruck. But if anyone suspects how much he wants to ravish her and endlessly love her, Andrew’s lineage will be in peril. And he cannot let that happen…
Rachel can be found here:
http://www.rachelbrimble.com/
http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/RachelBrimble
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441
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Nice post and lovely sentiments, Rachel. I definitely agree with your suggestions that we reach out and find writing friends. 😉 I’ve only just started really, since last spring, but I’ve found many supportive people out there.
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Hi Nancy!!
So fabulous to see you here! Glad you’ve stop by to keep me company. The one thing I’ve learned in my journey is that writers are THE most supportive people in the world. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!
R x
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Hi Rachel and Delilah!
I so agree, that it is far too easy to isolate ourselves with writing, and surrounding ourselves with supportive friends is very important.
I have found that authors are the most generous givers of time and energy in the world!
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This is so true and important to us (writers) Rachel. Great post. 😆
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Hi Lynne & Calisa! *waving madly*
Both of you are two of my biggest supporters and shoulders to cry on – hope you know that!
Love
R x
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A lovely post, & I must say, the two books featured look wonderful.