Today I had my manuscript dangling over the fire, ready to watch it burn. I didn't want to sacrifice my idea or goals in anyway, on the contrary, I wanted to start over. I never intended to be an author, I wrote for my own enjoyment and for the people who may or may not read my blog. Without any formal training, I have no idea what I am doing as far as writing a first draft, or any draft, is concerned.
Sure it is easy to say, "Just write. Get it all out there. Vomit on the page." if you will, and "we will clean it up and make it pretty later." The perfectionist in me is not having it. I can't handle looking at the jumble bumble that I call a manuscript and imagine showing it to ANYONE at this point. Selling them on the idea is simple but the pile in front of me seems convoluted at best!
Back to the beginning: Today I had my manuscript over the fire, ready to watch it burn. BUT... before I did that I reached out to my trusty support network. When it comes to writing my support network is my husband Ben (always), my friend and author Ann Hunter, and my friend and editor/author/all things brilliant Ally Bishop.
I approached it as I usually do "HELP PLEASE!" followed by my need for support and love and affirmations. They all delivered brilliantly and I am pleased to say, my manuscript is not a pile of ash, but just a work in progress (imagine that).
This is a pretty big deal, right? The life or death of my current manuscript pretty much determines if I am or am not an author, and my ability to continue writing with confidence is very valuable to me as a writer. It could be assumed, then, that I would only entrust the closest of friends to help talk me off of this ledge, so to speak.
It may surprise you, then, that all three of these relationships were forged online. Not only that but two of the three of these friends and I have never met in person.
I have 450ish friends on Facebook. Of those friends at least 20% I met and know online exclusively and of them I would consider at least 15 close friends. That is defined by me as:
a person I would go to for personal or professional guidance,
someone who's life I am interested in and who I often share the smallest victories with,
a person who knows me as I am without pretense and who cares for my well being;
and a person who truly doesn't mind listening to me bitch (we all need an ear at times, am I right?)
It is all too often I am shocked by people's reaction to these statistics. I can't be the only person out there who is able to forge strong and meaningful relationships on the interwebs, can I? I fear that I might be.
Here are some Manda Facts (def: Not based on any actual fact with the exception of my own gut and heart) about friendship:
1. Friendship can cross any of terrain, even oceans and deserts and mountains, anything.
2. Distance does not have to define friendship
3. Friends do not have to "know" each other IN REAL LIFE (I hate that phrase) to be friends, they just have to know each other.
4. To know one another, friends must be honest, loving, kind and open to communication. (just like in marriage)
5. You don't need me to define friendship for you, you get to define it for yourself!
And now 5 fun facts about my life WITH E-Friends:
1. I am working on my first novel and believe that I can and will be published one day BECAUSE of E-Friends.
2. I know how to love myself as fully as I do now BECAUSE of E-Friends.
3. I met my lovely, amazing, awesome, and encouraging husband, Ben, online. When I was dating him I asked for encouragement from my E-Friends... I may have not even dated him if it weren't for them.
4. My healing process from my abusive relationship and through other points of grieving have been easier BECAUSE of E-Friends
5. Everyday I know I am loved, supported, and cherished because of E-Friends.
So go out there, make you some E-Friends... you never know where those amazing and deep and carefree relationships might lead!
Want to be my E-Friend? Find me on Twitter and shoot me an email mandabmitchell@gmail.com
