Don’t Try to Write Alone and Here’s Why
By Dr. Tyra Seldon
In the spring of this year, I had a chance to get away and be in the presence of people, who, like myself, have dedicated their careers to words, ideas, artistry and creativity. For almost 4 days, I was in a space where true support not only mattered, it was centered and it was intentional. In some instances, I was mentoring others and in other moments, I was the mentee. At times, the line of demarcation was blurred. To say that it was magical was an understatement.
As I reflect back over this experience, I think about how and why support is often undervalued; yet, it can have a profound effect on one’s growth and development as a writer. How often do we allow ourselves to say, “I don’t know” or “I need help”? How often is someone on the receiving side of those statements and ready to respond, “It is ok” or “let me show you”?
In a world where individuality is privileged and it is easier to pretend or go through the motion rather than showing our vulnerabilities and weaknesses, it is worth noting that none of us should try to write alone. We all need anchors when the waters get rough and the horizon is too far to see.
Supporting each other does not have to be convoluted and mechanical. When support is born out of shared interests, it reflects a genuine desire to pull out the best in someone else. It is like making gumbo. You put together all of these ingredients that don’t seem to go together to create the most delightful of tastes. Each ingredient pulls out the richness and flavor of the other ingredients. When you add intentionality and sincerity to the gumbo mix then real support emerges.
As writers, we work in isolation or we create in solitary ways. (I used to joke that my imaginary readers were becoming my closest friends). However, we must remind ourselves that even if others are not with us physically, we are not isolated and we are not alone during the writing process.
There are other writers just like us out there—somewhere.
Photo Credit: Foter.com
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Tyra Seldon earned her Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Rochester in 2002. Her scholarship revolved around the literary works of nineteenth-century Black women. She has served as an English instructor and professor at the University of Rochester (NY), Dickinson College (PA), Anderson University and Martin University (IN). After a successful teaching career in higher education and K-12, she launched Seldon Writing Group, LLC in 2011.
Dr. Seldon has served as a writing consultant and freelance writer for several national initiatives, organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. Currently, she writes a weekly article for Freelancers Union. To learn more about e-coaching, email: seldonwritinggroup@hotmail.com