Writing Tool #48: Create An Editing Support Group

Perhaps the most disabling myth of authorship is that writers practice a lonely craft. There is something romantic about the notion of a writer locked away in a loft overlooking the ocean, his only companions a portable typewriter, a bottle of gin and a kitty named Hemingway.

In the real world, writing is more like line dancing, a social function with many partners. Some of those partners -- a writing teacher, a producer, an assigning editor -- may be required to achieve our publishing goals. Other helpers can and should be of our choosing.

This week's advice from Roy Peter Clark of Poynter.org is to "Create An Editing Support Group." He couldn't be more right. As writing teacher Rob Koelling says, "Everyone needs an editor," and I'd add that everyone also needs a person (or a group of persons) who helps keep a person writing.

Clark lists six kinds of helpers who keep him writing:

1. A helper who keeps me going.
2. A helper who understands my idiosyncrasies.
3. A helper willing to answer my questions.
4. An expert helper to match my topic.
5. A helper who runs interference.
6. A coach who helps me figure out what works and what needs work.

All writers need to seek out helpers. Writing is one of those activities which should carry a warning label: "Don't try this at home alone!"