Everyone Needs a Cheerleader

After an Olive Tree Writing Club session, I asked my friend B how it went. Here’s what he said:

Someone new was sharing her work. As she began explaining the idea for her short story, her voice was a little shaky, you could tell she was nervous about putting herself out there. But as she kept talking and the group started asking questions, she relaxed. Her confidence grew. And she had a great idea.

That’s the special thing about this group.

Writing is hard enough as it is. It’s easy to doubt yourself. To think that your idea isn’t good enough. That you aren’t good enough. That no one will read this anyways.

But in this group, you don’t just get feedback, you get encouragement. People believe in you. And that kind of support goes a long way, especially when you’re just starting out.

B started coming earlier this year and he’s working on a big, ambitious novel himself.

Hearing what this space has meant to him reminded me just how important this space is.

Part of why this community exists, and part of my role in it, is to believe in people’s ideas and encourage them to keep going.

Because we’re all on this creative journey together. And when you have others who are going through it, and others that have been through it, we’ll all help each other succeed.