Having support

Support...I don't mean the kind of support you get from an over-priced 'good bra'. I mean the kind of support you get from people, and not just holding you up when you have had a few too many. Does having support from others, be it a family member, a friend or a fellow writer, encourage your writing?

In the last week I have been down in the dumps, seriously. I told my husband I was canceling my application to become self-employed, I told him I was throwing out all of my books and that I wasn't even going to finish my course with the writers bureau. Yes, that's how bad it was.

Then my husband looked at me an said "I believe in you. I know you can do it and I know you will do it. It's just a matter of time and I will support you, no matter how long it takes."

Are those the magic words? Does having the support of someone else make the hard times of writers block worth it? Do those words make you believe you can do it?

It worked for me, I am sat here now after having a total clear out of all my work documents. I have been filing and tidying all day, even came across an idea for a novel I had over 2 years ago. So I guess it just goes to show what you can achieve and are willing to work on when you know someone else believe in you.

Busy bee

The last few days I have been quite busy...sending off assignment F3 for the Writers Bureau, sending a short story to a magazine, sending readers letters and writing a short story for a competition.

I am very proud that I have achieved this in the last few days as I have been really struggling to find my passion for writing. I know why I lost my passion; because people told me that being a 'writer' (who hadn't even had anything substantial published) was not a real job. Over the last few days I have realise it is more of a job than anyone who goes to an office, sits there from 9-5 and then comes home. I am working 24/7. I am always on the lookout for ideas, constantly jotting sayings, places, names that might be useful in the future and I am always worrying as to whether I will have a target market for the next piece I am planning in my head. Plus I don't see any 9-5'ers getting up at 3am to jot own an idea they have had whilst nipping to the loo (no offence to any 9-5'ers who don't insult me being a writer).

I have realised that it does not matter what anyone else thinks of my 'job'. I write all day, every day and I have even been paid for some of my work. Therefore I am a writer. Whether they like it or not. So my passion is back with full force and I am really enjoying writing again. Hopefully next week I can enter another competition and get the next assignment out of the way.

Advice, advice, advice

It's amazing to find how many fellow writers are keen to give you advice. When I first started with the Writers Bureau I found it very difficult to get help from anyone other than my tutor. No one ever wanted to share markets or competitions.

However know I have found that there are a lot of writers who are willing to help in any area that they can. All you have to do is ask. I have made a few good friends since acting upon my passion for writing and it's good to know that if I am ever stuck in a rut with my writing, there are always people I can call upon for some advice.

Once the ball is rolling

Yesterday I spent the day writing an entry for a competition. I say writing; it also included proof reading and editing. Today I have left my piece of writing so that when I go back to it tomorrow I will see it in a new light and pick up any mistakes a lot easier.

Isn't it amazing how once you have got the creative juices flowing again after a long break they just keep on flowing! Today I have thought of a filler, or even an article, depending on how interested the publisher is. I have also thought of an idea for a filler/reader's letter.

I am extremely pleased to be motivated with my writing once again.

In terms of my course with The Writers' Bureau I have completed the first part of my next fiction assignment (F3). I am hoping that in the next week or so I will have finished the assignment and have it sent off.