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Lovely honest sharing, and I am glad you are beginning to gather that community of writers around you that are one of the best antidotes to the alienation and insecurity that seem to be an occupational hazard for authors. For me it was at first the writers group (of which the majority became traditionally published in the first decade we were together) who stuck with me and kept assuring me that I was a writer for the twenty years when my novel pretty much stayed in a drawer - only occasionally taken out and tweaked and sent out to be rejected yet again. Then, when I self-published that novel in 2009, it was the new, welcoming community of writers, some traditionally published, some indie, who now welcomed me into the brave new world of indie authorship, became my cheering section as I bravely sent novel after novel into the world. Finally, I also hope you will be able to also be sustained not just by the community of other writers, but by the readers who will buy your books, give their honest reviews, send their heart-felt email thanks, and ask when the next one is coming out. Because, whether these readers number in the tens or thousands, if you have given someone else the pleasure of experiencing brief moments of laughter and tears, sadness and joy, and provided them the comfort that comes from knowing that they are not alone in this universe, you will be reminded that being a writer can be one of the most glorious vocations in the world.

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Thanks so much for sharing your experience! And, yes, absolutely nothing better than getting your words into the exact right hands of the people who need it.

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Hehe, how lovely to be in the footnotes and that is EXACTLY what I'd say :) AND, I for one definitely care about what you have to say, and value it greatly. Thanks for this piece!

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Thanks so much, Satya.

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Robyn, You are the best writer friend ever! Congratulations on FAIR GAME. xoxo, Ellen

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Thanks, Ellen. Thanks for reading all those drafts and strategizing with me and just being there.

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Back at you!

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I love this post. It took me a long time to feel like I was a "real" writer, too, and to build a writers community to remind me of it when that imposter thing reared up. We need each other, that's for sure!

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Perfectly said--we do need each other.

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Thanks so much for the shout-out. I love this post!

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You’re welcome! Looking forward to reading Endpapers!

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