Many of us have this mental image of the stoic writer sitting alone at their desk, privately bleeding their soul out until they forge the right words into existence. But does writing have to be a lonely, sad experience? I don't think so. There is another way that pulls you out of the lonely slump.

I started thinking about this when one of my clients, we’ll call her Anita, told me this week that loneliness is an epidemic. She’s a therapist, and she decided this subject deserves an entire chapter in her book.

Not exactly a surprise. Loneliness consistently pops up in the news. We all know what it was like during the pandemic. And frankly, I feel it more often than I'd like to admit.

I could do with one of these robots they’re giving out…

 

Or a call from Wills and Kate…

 

I spend my work days writing. My hobby is also writing. (I promise I like other things, too. Cooking. Cuddles with the pets. But I’m trying to finish my novel right now.)

So… doesn’t loneliness just come with the writing territory?

Writing and Feeling Lonely

Many of us think of writing as sitting alone at a desk, purging their inner thoughts onto the page with no one around to share in the agony.

Doesn’t sound much fun to me.

But there is another type of writing, and it’s the style that pulls me out of every lonely slump.

It’s partnership.

Collaboration.

Writing with “colleagues.”

Now, let’s be clear: I’m not talking about sharing my actual writing with anyone. Sometimes we do that, but it’s not required.

Instead, it’s passionate people working together to brainstorm, plan, encourage, empathize, and hold accountable.

When I worked in an office, I loved collaborating with my colleagues. We’d bounce ideas around and ask, “What if we…?” or, “How about…?” or, “Do you think…?”

The focused banter made us better. The shared experience kicked our butts into gear.

This is how my client, Anita, realized she wanted to add a chapter to her outline all about loneliness. It wasn’t there in the initial draft.

I didn’t suggest it, though.

I asked questions and probed and wondered until Anita came up with the idea herself and said, “Yes! This is it! This feels right.”

Together, we are always better. And less lonely, too.

Finding your partner

  • If you don’t want to do this alone anymore…

  • If you want a partner who gets what this feels like…

  • If you want to brainstorm, outline, write, or edit and feel really good about it, like Anita…


I want to invite you to work with me.

You don’t have to sit on your own bleeding your soul out onto the page. Or writing nothing at all.

Let’s partner together, and in a matter of weeks we’ll have you writing AND ENJOYING THE PROCESS with your partner in word crimes!

The world may be suffering a loneliness epidemic, but we can take solace in our writing lives. Together. As partners.

Click here to find out how.

 

Thanks,

Liz “Let’s Partner” Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing

 
 

You might also like…

When your writing schedule doesn’t work

When your writing schedule doesn’t work, when you consistently fail to write like you planned, don’t take it personally. It is not personal. It is procedural. You need to experiment with the process. Read more…

Writing Prompts to Actually Start Your Book

This is it! You planned this time, you protected the space in your schedule, and now you’re ready, coffee in hand, laptop good to go. You are finally going to write your book. But how the hell do you start? Use these writing prompts to get started on your book. Read more…