Buddying Up

Buddy Up for Safety.

It’s one of the first lessons we learn in kindergarten, or earlier; that life is safer with a buddy, there is protection in numbers.

Except, when you’re an introvert, numbers don’t feel safe, especially numbers of people. But we’re here to tell you—to encourage you—to seriously consider having a writing buddy with whom to share your writing journey. There are oh-so-many reasons, reasons above and beyond the benefits to be found in partnering up for marketing purposes.

See, as introverts, we tend to go inward and shun crowds or large groups. Many of us are not comfortable joining groups or organizations and the idea of sharing in front of a group of people is enough to make us stay home and lock the door.

But here’s the thing; even introverts—especially introverts—will need support on this writing journey. Someone to share in the ups and downs, to act as a sounding board, to bounce ideas off of, to give you a gentle nudge out of your comfort zone when it’s required.

What to Look for In a Writing Buddy:
~A fellow writer – this is essential so they will understand at a gut level just what your ups and downs will entail.
~Someone who will celebrate your success with as much enthusiasm and joy as if it were their own
~Someone who will gnash their teeth and rail at the publishing gods at your stumbling blocks and failures as if they were their own
~Someone who gets your writing, who understands your voice and themes and chosen subject matter and can help you make your work the best it can be, as opposed to a watered down version of their style.
~Someone with a generous spirit and open heart who wants you to succeed as much—if not more—than you do.
~Someone who will play midwife to your books when needed.
~Someone who will thwack you gently on the head and say, “get over it,” when needed.
~A fellow introvert or, at the very least, an extrovert who “gets’ and understands introverts needs

My personal opinion is that introverts need a writing buddy more than extroverts do. Extroverts have lots of people they enjoy being around, and just the act of being around them fills them up. But as introverts, we tend to go inward, especially when struggling, and those are the times it can be most beneficial to have a little outside support and guidance. But we all know a group is absolutely out, which is why it is so important to have that one person that quiet little soul mate with which to share our trials and tribulations—hopefully mostly tribulations.

My writing buddy and I have been together for over twelve years now, supported each other through the birth (and death) of countless books, published and unpublished. My writing journey would have been sterile indeed, without this person at my side.

In fact, in celebration of writing buddies, the first person to guess my writing buddy will win a copy of Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris! Here’s a hint: They’ve published three books, all of them middle grade fiction, they are an introvert, with a wicked funny sense of humor. This person also has a strong sense of fashion and the most meticulously groomed eyebrows on the planet.