Friendship, by Peter Seminck
I tend to write alone, as most writers do. But, sometimes we need each other.
Artists, Edgar Degas and Edouard Manet, were friends. Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso were also friends…encouraging and pushing each other along in their creative paths. Poets, Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath were friends. Lord Byron and Mary Shelley were friends. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S.Lewis? Friends. Celebrating friendship in the arts, especially the isolating art of writing, is an important part of the creative process. I’ve linked two fun articles below that discuss these artistic friendships further, but today is all about the importance of honoring my friendships in writing!
Poetry Friends page: https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry-friends/
Therefore, it is time for another round of “Poetry Friends” on Steps In Between. Take a peek at this page because the range of added pieces, in addition to the already brilliant poems at home here, are sure to delight.
I am thrilled to announce poetry from the writers I’m blessed to call friends. At the link provided, you will find free verse, micro, haiku, narrative, iambic, and even a poem created and translated from Irish to English. There’s also a link to an original composed piece of poetic music. And, these intuitive artists come from all around the world! The diversity in style and theme will make you smile…or at least feel something, perhaps a needed jab in the ribs. Let these pieces motivate and inspire!
As I’ve said before, and believe wholeheartedly, writers must lift each other up. I would not be the poet and writer I am today without my writing friendships. These are the people I look to when I am in need of inspiration, or when I need a pick-me-up. Sometimes I simply need to experience something new, something out-of-character. Something that stirs up a memory or feeling that I will ultimately write about.
It always seems as if one of us has something magnificent happening in our writing lives, even if others of us may feel melancholy…or down. Writing can be emotional, and it surely helps to share it with others going through similar processes.
Cheers to writing friendships! May these writers on my “Poetry Friends” page know how much I appreciate their support, their kindness, and their own individual and unique perspectives. It certainly takes a village…in my world, anyway.
P.S. If you are my writing friend and haven’t found your way to my Poetry Friends page, just add that hopeful three-letter word at the end…YET! I adore all of you, even those not showcased YET. I can’t wait to grow this page, honoring all the amazing talent in my writing friendship world out there. And I love the idea that it’s endless…
Writing Advice: Make Some Writing Friends
If you haven’t already, join a writing group. Maybe it’s online. Maybe it’s a writing class. Perhaps you take the plunge and participate in a writing conference. I’ve written before about the benefits of joining writing groups. But the friendships! They are just as important as the writing side of things.
Friendships won’t happen overnight. Two years ago, when I opened myself up to share as a writer, my writing friendships included one fiction friend and one poetry friend (who didn’t know each other). However, each inspired me to begin this writing journey. From there, I had to find my own way. It was slow and steady, but I started with a writing conference. Then, I ventured onto some online writing groups through Facebook. It took weeks for me to even comment. Finally, kindhearted writers reached out to me, and I reciprocated. Now, I’m taking writing classes and am part of a writing critique group. It all began with a single step forward.
Take those steps, even if they’re small, to meet other writers. It can feel liberating, as those new relationships may inspire, challenge, and cause you to look at where you are. They may also help you to decide where you’d like to go, or how you’d like to grow.
Make friends!
Happy Writing (because at least you’re writing),
Celaine Charles, August 11, 2019
Image Links:
https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry-friends/
http://cultured.com/image/3575/Friendship/#.XU-myOhKg2w
https://culturacolectiva.com/art/famous-art-friendships
https://www.bustle.com/articles/170100-14-of-your-favorite-authors-who-were-friends-in-real-life
Categories: poetry, Thoughts on writing...
Tags: #composing, #friends, #Friendship, #music, #poetrycommunity, #poetrycorner, #Poetryfriends, #poetrywriters, #write, #writershelpingwriters, #writersjourney, #writersunite, #writingcelebration, #writingcommunity, #writinggroups, #writinglife, #writingtips, amwriting, authors, encouragement, inspiration, poems, poetry, writers, writing, writingadvice
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