Monday, February 20, 2012

Who's On Your Team?

A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way. ~Swahili proverb


Another sports hero comes out of the blue. Are any of you watching Jeremy Lin play b-ball for the New York Knicks?
When Lin started with the Knicks, things changed. For one, they started winning. Why? Because Jeremy Lin is not a selfish player. He doesn’t hog the ball. He has a great attitude, and respect for his team.  He’s made the whole team better.

It occurred to me that we writers could learn a lesson from Jeremy Lin.

We need a team. And we need to hang together to make it a winning team. An editor’s job is to make us better. Our critique groups should make us better. Our beta readers should be honest with us so we can be better.  And hopefully, we reciprocate. Looks like we’re all here to help each other, doesn’t it?
The other day I heard someone say we should have selective hearing: “Listen to the ones who build you up.” I agree, but we have to be realistic--don't listen to phoney compliments.

Who builds you up? Who makes you feel like a better person, a better writer? What does your ‘writing team’ look like? We all need someone in our corner; more power to us if we have a team.

6 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Lana is one. And I'm lucky to have two good writing groups. I don't know if I would make it without them.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Charles - you're lucky to have TWO good writing groups. And I'm sure you're as valuable to them as they are to you.

Unknown said...

You're on my team! I'm lucky like that.

Angie Kay Dilmore said...

I agree, Jess. I've always said, I couldn't be a writer without my critique partners.

Lynn said...

I'm part of a great critique group - there are five of us women and we all help each other in a lot of ways, especially with writing. I belong to two writing groups also, but the critique group seems to be the best for me. My children also make me a better writer--they always push me to do a better job.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Lynn, crit groups can be fantastic if the mix works. Only takes ONE to foul things up. Glad yours works -- and my daughter is a good critiquer. :)