Staying Inspired

One of the most important thing I am realizing about being a writer is the importance of staying inspired. 

Not just staying up to date with contemporary work by authors you read, but forming life-giving friendships and connections with other writers. 

In so many interviews with authors, there's a moment when they all say, "I had never met a writer before _____________." And it strikes a person as odd, that someone might not want to be a writer because they have never actually met a writer. Or it struck me as odd. I've always been drawn to the craft, and on some level I *always* wanted to be a writer, even having met exactly zero working writers. 

But once you meet a writer, and share some work with them, trade feedback and heartfelt encouragement, you'll understand what the others mean about a transformation from before having met a writer, and after. 

I feel so blessed to have met Beth Kephart and Tawni Waters during my writers retreat in June. When I first saw them, I felt insignificant and green, intimidated by their experience, success, and stature. But through my week long memoir workshop with Beth, and a session spent reviewing and editing some of my poetry with Tawni, I learned what makes these women real writers. It isn't their publishing contracts or agents or awards. It is their down to earth humilities, their willingness to give of themselves to new writers and new people. They have not built walls around them or their work. They are not goddesses to bestow gifts of finished works, they are teachers and mentors and soul sisters. 

It isn't easy to proffer that aspiring artists or writers or scientists should just go meet someone that is in that profession, and exchange part of your soul with them.  It's not easy to meet people who are living your dream, even harder to get a moment of their undivided attention, and even less likely that you'll connect on a deep level with them. But if you ever doubt what you want, and you're on the verge of giving up, my best suggestion is to try with all the frantic energy you have left to find someone experienced in your struggle who will look into your soul and offer a kiss of life to propel you forward.