Story Busters

So the other morning Karen and I were writing together. I’m rereading my final draft of Something Happened Along the Way while Karen works on her most recent story. As often happens during our writing sessions, one of us stops to ask a question, usually about punctuation or word choice or some other semantics query. This time it was me asking the question, making sure that I have correctly conveyed the meaning of my words to the reader. After we had discussed and decided what would be clearest, I said to Karen, “See, what would I do without you to answer my questions and talk things out with?” She started laughing and said, “Ghostbusters!” We giggled, and she said that “Story Busters” could be the name for a blog post or a writing coach or something. And just like that, an idea was born as was this blog post.

They say writing is a lonely job. And it can be. But it doesn’t have to be. Karen, Tana, and I have found a way to be together, each working on our own projects, and yet still be present for one another's questions, ponderings, etc. That is the power of our writing tribe. Together, we not only hold each other accountable for getting words on the page or edits and revisions completed, but we feed off of each others’ creative minds. Like teachers, who go into the classroom and close the door and spend all day with their students rarely seeing another adult, writers spend most of their time of their own. We occasionally come together for workshops, conferences, and other such events. Some people have plotting or critique groups they meet with, but what we do is different. We Facetime every day while we work. We’re on the screen with each other, working on our own individual projects, but we are also wholly present for one another. We spend time talking before and after we write. Usually about writing or some related topic, but sometimes just chatting about the world at large and our lives. This is good stuff. It helps us be ready to actually write when we put our fingers on the keyboard. We’ve gotten the “stuff” out of our heads and can focus. If we’re stuck during the session or have a question, we know that we are free to ask for help. It’s purposeful and it’s empowering.

One of the reasons we started this blog and Facebook group was so we could share what we do and how we do it. I don’t know of too many other writers who do things this way. Primarily, it is about accountability. I would never have finished my novel and started a second one had Karen not suggested we write together like this. But secondly, and maybe more importantly, it is about not being alone (something that has been even more important during the pandemic) for what can be a very lonely endeavor. I like knowing I can glance up from my laptop and look at Karen’s and Tana’s faces on my iPad. It makes me feel connected. I like knowing that I can get an immediate answer if I have a question or need help working out a plot line or dialogue. I don’t have to wait weeks or months for a group meeting to occur to talk about my issues or concerns. That, ultimately, helps me work faster and more succinctly. Mostly, though, it’s about sharing time doing what I love with women I love and trust with my writing.