I’ll be at World Fantasy in San Diego this week (see my schedule at bottom), and will be looking to do some business. But mostly, I’m going to see friends.

I hope, having said that, that I will not lose my membership in Introverts Anonymous.

Thing is, in this business you need a little help from your friends. Writing is a solitary endeavor, but it’s not solitary confinement. It’s hard to have a big success in this field, but working harder won’t necessarily make that happen. Actually, it’s far likelier to happen if you build a support group to help you stay balanced and achieve perspective.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that to be a writer you mostly have to hunker down and write. You do, of course, have to write. But you also have to survive the slings and arrows of a very tough business. For this, there is nothing like a friend.

If possible, a very close friend. A best pal can anchor you in the writing life, providing:

• Advice and problem-solving.
• A friendly ear when one hits bottom.
• Someone who’ll applaud you without (too much) envy when a success comes.
• A  companion for conferences and signings.
• A mirror to your own writing life, to give perspective.
• Source of laughs, gossip, and wisdom.
• Dependable guerrilla marketing and cross-promotions with you. Read More…