Who are you listening to?

The act of writing, for most of us, is a solitary endeavor. We shut ourselves away from distractions, hang a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, and give our minds space to create. We spend hours, days, months, with only our imagination, our keyboard, and maybe a faithful pet for company as we work.

Although writing is done in solitude, the writing life is best lived in community.

We need others.

We were not created to create alone.

We need others to encourage us when the work is hard. Those who understand what we do and why we do it. Others who will pick us up when we fall. Those who will cheer us on.

We need others to guide us, to advise us, to speak wisdom into our lives.

Over the last year, new avenues in my writing career have presented themselves. Decisions that need to be made have nagged. And for much of the year, I circled my own mind. Without input from others, I ran loop after loop after loop without getting anywhere.

Finally, I reached out to another writer I respect and listened and considered as she asked wise questions.

Then I spoke with a literary agent whose experience I respect.

In September, while on vacation, I mentioned an unmade decision to a friend, and her response encouraged me to take one more step.

Then last week, I spent four days with dear friends. They aren’t published writers. They don’t know the publishing world. They don’t fully understand what I do. But they know me. My heart. My desires. They are women who’ve seen me at my best, and know I’ll fail again. Women who’ve seen me at my worst, and love me still.

They are women who seek God and listen for His voice.

Wise women.

Women who, during our time together, offered guidance. Unified. Four women, one voice.

Honestly, I didn’t want to hear what they said. But because of who they are and the united front they presented, I listened. And when I pondered their words, they echoed other messages I’ve heard. Their guidance was familiar, words whispered to my mind and soul for many years. Words spoken by the Lover of my soul.

Friends.

Family.

Community.

We need others.

Who is speaking into your writing life? Who is offering guidance and wisdom?

If your solitary writing time has become a career of solitude, dare to reach out to another writer or two. Perhaps they need you as much as you need them. Not sure who to connect with or how to connect? Join an online writing community and begin getting to know other writers. Volunteer for a writing organization and get to know their team. Attend a writers’ conference or a writers’ retreat and approach other writers. Ask questions about their writing, their lives. Offer the relationship you seek.

Lean into those who already know you well. Family. Friends. Those who love you.

Ask.

Listen.

Ponder.

We need others.

We were not created to create alone.