By Michelle Griep, @MichelleGriep
It’s true that writers generally write alone. Think about it. How many fingers can actually fit on a keyboard? But despite that little nugget of truth, it takes more than one person to bring a story to full fruition. Are you writing a novel? Creating some other kind of art? Just wanting to get a project completed? Then make sure you surround yourself with these natives . . .
The Champion
It’s an ugly world out there. Everyone’s got an opinion and they’re not afraid to use it, especially when it comes to art. You’re going to take a beating, so you need a champion on your side. This is the kind of person who adores your work, believes in you when you don’t believe in yourself, and always has a word of encouragement.
The Dart Blower
This is the realist. The one who lets you know when your artistic underpants are showing. The critiquer who isn’t just a yes man but is honest enough to let you know when your art falls short of the bar. Yeah, those words of wisdom might sting, but you’ll be the better for listening and polishing your product before it’s released to the world.
The Warrior
Someone needs to defend you, you pathetic little artist. This person might wear the hat of an agent or an editor, an art director or even your spouse. The warrior fights for you, defending your art so that you can spend the time creating your art.
The Witch Doctor
Like it or not, you’re going to get wounded at some point in time. A sucky review. An outright nasty social media attack. Whatever. You must have someone in your life who brings healing words and comfort to your soul. The kind that knows when to bring dark chocolate and a hot latte.
The Chief
Your art isn’t going anywhere if you don’t have a bwana to make it happen. Network amongst the movers and shakers in your field and make friends with the powerful.
Without an editor or publisher, a friend, a critique partner, and a prayer buddy, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle to bring your art to the masses. Get out there and gather your tribe, my friends. You’ll need them.
Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother despite Jackson’s warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances that both intrigue and evoke a smile. An Anglophile at heart, you’ll most often find her partaking of a proper cream tea while scheming up her next novel…but it’s probably easier to find her at www.michellegriep.com or on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
And guess what? She loves to hear from readers! Feel free to drop her a note at michelle@michellegriep.com