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The Brotherhood of Writers
Ancestral Lines
Hemingway and I were brothers.
True story!
Harper Lee wrote “To Kill a Mockingbird” for me.
True story!
John Steinbeck reached into my heart and squeezed it when he published “Grapes of Wrath.”
True story!
When my friend Sha wrote her latest article, she made me proud, and when my friend Iris wrote her latest, she had me in tears.
I have laughed with Paula, wept openly with PS, and screamed HOORAY with Janine. When Suzie suffered her setback I was there with her, in spirit, cheering her on and imploring her to get back on that horse. When Bob lost his son I felt his pain. When I published my last novel I was warmed by the bosoms of friendship, lifted up by the praise from Topeka, London, Halifax and Redding.
I may not be famous or independently wealthy, but I am a member of a brotherhood that I cherish.
The Brotherhood of Writers!
Iris Draak
- Exorcise the Demon of Banality by Elevating the Conversation
This is dedicated to all those who do not fear the depths, those who treat words as a precious resource and use them to edify, uplift and add, not simply as a distraction and means to fill the void.
The Commonalities
Reading those words by Lewis, I understand. Not only that, but I am fed by them, enriched by them, and energized by them.
And Rushdie climbed into my psyche when he wrote:
And Charles Dickens sat at his desk, toiling for hours…possibly days…struggling with the words, awaiting the inspiration, and finally angels spread their wings, and embrace him, and one paragraph emerges:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
And for decades people read those words and know who wrote them, and today I sit here, at my desk, toiling for hours…possibly days…struggling with the words, awaiting the inspiration, waiting for my own angels to embrace me, and I know exactly what Dickens experienced.
Because he and I are brothers!
And then I read the words of Iris Draak, a relative unknown in the writing community:
“I say we remove our armor and flip this notion on its head. I say we turn our arms downward, that we open our fists and grasp the hands of those below us. I say that instead of looking down with distrust, we lift up with dignity, those less fortunate. I say that we, the ones who lament the loss of our own economic traction, make provisions for those who have little.”
And I know that she is my sister in this brotherhood, and I celebrate with her.
The Struggles
Few will understand. In a world of seven point two billion, there are only a couple million of us who can possibly comprehend what it is like to struggle for months, for years, for recognition and our own personal satisfaction. We have set the bar of excellence impossibly high, so that even our best work appears to be sorely lacking when we read it, for we are our worst critics.
Our families cannot understand. Of course they give us support, but it is support without empathy, and truth be known, even the most staunch supporters among them have no clue what it is like to seek the ethereal and to embark on a quest where perfection is a myth and obscurity almost guaranteed.
We sit in a room, alone, playing pick-up-sticks with verbs and nouns, adjectives and adverbs, hoping we won’t disturb the fine balance we seek. We have a vision in our minds, but the vision always sounds better than the words when we type them, so we mix and match, use and discard, delete and begin again, and the days become weeks and the weeks become months as we chase our tails and hope we don’t devour ourselves in the process.
When we are in a zone, nothing else matters. The dishes pile up, the emails go unanswered, the world revolves, the clouds form, the sunshine shines, the darkness gives way to light, world affairs continue, babies are born, the elders die, but the zone remains our focus. We are singular in purpose, and when we strike the perfect phrase, we experience a high better than any designer drug can give…but when we fail to find the magic, our lows threaten to devour us.
The triumphs are closely followed by defeats, the defeats by triumphs, our psyches threaten to shatter, and we get up the next morning eager to experience the full spectrum of emotions again.
Only another writer can understand.
Only our brothers and sisters of literature will nod their heads in agreement, and sweep us up in arms of compassion.
Suzie HQ
- What Being Irish Means (humor)
So what does being Irish mean? Here is a humorous look at a fictional course taking enrolment for students looking to learn what being Irish means in time for St Patricks Day. You have been warned!
So You See, We Need Each Other
Three guys are sitting at a bar.
#1: "...Yeah, I make $75,000 a year after taxes."
#2: "What do you do for a living?"
#1: "I'm a stockbroker. How much do you make?
#2: "I should clear $60,000 this year."
#1: "What do you do?"
#2: "I'm an architect."
The third guy has been sitting there quietly, staring into his beer, when the others turn to him.
#2: "Hey, how much do you make per year?"
#3: "I guess about $13,000."
#1: "Oh yeah? What kind of stories do you write?”
We read the joke and we laugh, but it is insanely close to the truth, and that’s if we’ve had a good year of writing.
Only a writer, in love with his/her craft, would work what is essentially a full-time job with no guarantee of a pay day.
So if the financial rewards are slim, then what keeps us motivated? Why do we continue?
We continue, simply, because writing is a passion. It is a tear-at-your-guts, beat-you-down-in-every-way-possible, leave-you-a-quivering-mass-of-insecurity, passion, and we can’t imagine life without it.
And what keeps us motivated?
The encouragement and support of our brotherhood!
Join me on my writing blog
- William Holland | Helping Writers to Spread Their Wings and Fly
Tips and suggestions about writing for any member of the Brotherhood
Membership Is Free
If you are a writer then you are an entry-level member of the brotherhood, but to rise in the ranks you must participate. Reach out a hand to those writers who need help. Offer words of encouragement to those who feel like quitting. Welcome newcomers and support the old-timers. Comment on the works of your brothers and sisters, and never, ever allow a writer to quit simply because they feel discouraged.
Rather than allow a writer to sit for months waiting for the angels to spread their wings and embrace them, be the angel. This is your family. These are your peers.
They need you…..
And….
You need them!
Welcome to the Brotherhood of Writers!
2014 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Comments
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Perfectly stated, Deb, and I totally agree with you. I get as much enjoyment from reading an article by a friend as I do when they read one of mine. Great brotherhood we have, my friend, and I thank you for being a part of it.
A Brotherhood, indeed. Every time I read the works of a friend, or those that may even become a friend, I am very pleased. I visualize what I see, and at the moment, hold them close as I read their creations. But that is me. We all support each other in many different ways, and the best support is just to be there, with our hearts open wide.
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And I'm glad you are, Dianna, and proud to be your friend.
Glad to be part of this brotherhood!
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Vellur, three cheers indeed my friend. We write from love...the pay might come later. Let's hope. :) Thank you!
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Thank you chitrangadaSharan...I am very happy that you are a member of this brotherhood.
Three cheers to the brotherhood of the writing community! Yes writers do not know when the pay date will be but they keep writing. Great hub.
What a positive and motivational message! We need this kind of encouragement from time to time. Good to be a part of this community.
Thanks!
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Faith, that is a splendid suggestion. Hopefully the leaders in the future will learn from our writings, and find wiser counsel because of those words.
blessings and thanks my friend
bill
Aw, now, I was meant to pop in just now and see your sweet comment to dear PS. So, true, when our heart overflows out onto the pages, then that always makes the best writers in my book. I love all of my brothers and sisters in the writer-hood.
Now, that is a hoot to think about in hundreds of years from now, someone, somewhere will read our words ...let's share what we have learned to NOT do in this time and hopefully the future leaders and inhabitants of this world will heed our words! Now that is dreaming ...
Peace and blessings always
- Author
Oh my goodness yes, PS. You are a writer. Repeat after me....YOU ARE A WRITER! The frequency that we write, our subject matter, none of that makes any difference....if you are a writer in your heart then you are a writer.
Happy Thanksgiving dear friend. Hugs coming back atcha!
bill
Bill
I was just wondering as I viewed the titles of so many of your works, many that I have not read yet, if you would think I am a writer.
I do write. A flood of words comes from me onto paper or here in front of my eyes..but I was not sure if you would think I qualify as a writer.
I have not had anything published since high school because life has been gnawing at me and I cannot get the story together right at this time.
But I nodded as I saw the authors that have written just for you and I feel a kinship with them too...especially Harper Lee having grown up in the deep South.
Another author seems to know many of the words I need to hear at times when I happen by...and that would be you. Your candor and openness about so many life situations and journeys keep me coming back.
The best to you and yours, Bill.
Hoping you all have a most blessed Thanksgiving, my friend. Hugs and love and Angels to you ps voted up up and away ++++ Shared
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So do I, mckbirdbks...thanks for stopping by.
This is quite the motivational speech. I hope your words prompt an avalanche of words onto the stage of world literature.
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Well, Dreya, I can tell from that paragraph that you are a writer. I hope you realize it as well. Carry on and best wishes.
My fingers have felt the gossamer edge of this brotherhood, only for me to lose grip and find myself floating in limbo once again. The motivation I know is there somewhere, the time and place to successfully promote these pieces keeps eluding me. One day in the days to come I will reach these dizzy heights... :0)
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Very true, Mary. Eventually I just bulldozed my way into the groups and refused to accept rejection. :)
Its hard to believe you were ever excluded but I guess I'll have to take your word for it ;)
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Mary, I'm just grateful that you all include me in your brotherhood. There was a time when I couldn't get an invitation to any club. :) I love it here and it's because of you and many others, so thank you.
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Eddy, the pleasure is all mine. I consider this the greatest club in the world, and the membership is free. How wonderful is that?
Thank you dear friend.
billy
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dranisha, thank you very much. Best wishes with your writing and thank you for being a member of this brotherhood.
If there is a leader in the Brotherhood his name is Bill! I always enjoy what you write, I praise it and often share it but I have to say this one rises to the top!
Who else understands us, but each other? That is sooo true. Sometimes just getting a family member to read what you wrote is like pulling teeth, but then you put it on HP and there are readers galore. We share, we laugh, we cry, no matter what we do we are there for each other. I am certainly willing to help, bolster, praise, and love each and every one of you and I thank all of you for what you've given me. Yes Bill you're first on the list.
Voted all but funny, shared, and pinned.
Oh yes Billy you have spoken words from the minds of so many of us. There are times when I stray due to life but never for long and I am never complete when away. Thank you over and over again for being you.
Lots of love from Wales.
Eddy.
Thank you bill..I must appreciate this one is the great hub I have seen in here for these days..Keep going. Expecting passionate ,inspiring and great hubs from you...
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And I'm glad you are with us, vkwok. Thank you!
It's an honor to be in the Brotherhood, Bill!
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Misslong, I'm really sorry that your health issues have derailed your writing efforts. Best wishes, and hopefully 2015 will be a better year fro you...and thank you for the kind words.
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Thank you so much, Jo. I've said it many times, but I wouldn't be writing today if it were not for the support of the brotherhood, and I have a huge thank you to you for that support.
Happy Sunday my friend, and blessings always
bill
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Hi, Chris....thank you. I have thought about it, and it's been suggested before. I've been so busy writing novels for the past year that I haven't gotten to it....right after the first of the year, that will be my priority.
Aloha my friend
bill
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Thank you Alicia. I appreciate it.
Another excellent hub! Voted up! Your dedication to writing motivates me. I was such an overachiever before I got sick 3 yrs ago. When I read your hubs I want to jump up and write/do writing tasks all day!! But then I realize my health isn't great enough to write as much as I would like to. Your encouragement always helps get me on track! :)
Bill, this is powerful, passionate and inspiring. I'll be printing to keep close by when I write. A brotherhood of writers; exactly how I like to think of this place and you more than most have helped to make it so. Beautiful writing, you not only talk the talk we all know you walk the walk and you do it so well. Enjoy your Sunday, my very best to you.
I love it, Bill. This is like...church, right here. In a good way haha. I like coming around your hubs every now and then for that perfect pick-me-up.
Any chance of you putting a whole bunch of these hubs for writers together as a compilation ebook?
I'd buy.
Seriously, I'd buy it. Even though I can read them for free (with a little digging back into the archives). But a "Best Of Billybuc" ebook would be pretty awesome.
Please consider it and toss the idea at some writer friends (aka "brothers") to hear what they think...
Aloha, Chris
This is a beautiful and engaging hub, Bill. Thank you for creating it.
- Author
Thank you Ruby! I am honored and greatly enjoy our friendship. Enjoy your Sunday, my friend.
- Author
Manatita, thank you so much. I'll take that comment any old day of the week. I'll pass along your well-wishes to Bev. Have a brilliant Sunday.
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Thank you, Bill. You are a great example of someone who makes the sacrifices necessary to write...and write well. Happy Sunday to you my friend.
I ask myself daily, what did I do before I started to write? It seems like I wasted some years not knowing the joy I feel when I write. I've met so many wonderful people in our community of writers and you are one of them. Take care.
Hi Bill,
This is my second read that fitted into not only the 'voted up' but all five areas of Useful, funny, awesome, beautiful and interesting. Not easy to do this. Absolutely brilliant!! The Ancestral lines were superb, the whole article was commendably done, and I also liked the joke. Funny. Hehehe
Have a great Saturday evening, Bro. Regards to Bev.
Hi Bill. I'm proud to call myself a member of the brotherhood. It's not easy working and trying to fit in writing in between errands, house maintenance, dog, garden, snow, etc... But I do it because I really do love this. Have a great weekend.
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Martie, that is beautifully stated my friend. Here's to us all being millionaires one day....until that day comes, we will continue to write, because that's what we do.
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Iris, it's a pleasure walking this road with you. Thank you for all you add to literature.
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Thank you DDE! The fact that you love writing makes you a member of the brotherhood.
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All true, Frank, and yes, for sure, put a certificate up and be proud my friend.
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And thank you Carol!
So true. "You must be totally crazy to spend your days writing, while life is happening all around you," someone once said to me. But what he didn't realize was that I, and all writers, do feel and live everything that's going on around us, more intense than any other so-called normal being, and then we ruminate (write) all of it while others watch TV, or sleep, or doing something else or nothing. Our ruminating is painful, but we do it in order to understand life and to explain to others what really happened and what's going to happen - good or bad - if they/we keep on living....
If writers could earn what they deserve, they would have been millionaires.
Sally and Bill, this wordy is lost for them at the moment. Thank you seems impotent. Nevertheless, thank you. I am so very grateful to walk this road with you.
I enjoy writing and you have an very interesting insight here.
can I put the certificate of brotherhood next to my ARA.. card..LOL love the joke 13,000... a year.. what kind of stories you write?.. writers a large group of loners.. but a brotherhood of writers are loners but with dtrong back-up love the hub BillyBuc...:) Frank
Great, this is a wonderful opportunity for new writers, Thank you
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It's' my pleasure, Cris. We have enough negativity in the world. Why not spread some cheer and support? Thank you for being you.
bill
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Loreva, you are definitely not alone. Get comfortable and remember, you always have company.
Thanks for the visit.
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Thank you, Nell....I love my online friends and all of you really are extended family to me...it's a great feeling knowing I'm not alone in this quest. Have a great weekend.
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Thanks, Pawpaw, and you do the same.
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Don, I'm so glad you said that. I think it is the coolest thing, that our words will be read 100 years from now, and they will make a difference in someone's life. Carry on, brother, and thank you.
You always know how to kick a*s and leave readers pondering. :) There's always something to learn from you.
I said this before and I'll say it again, thank you for the positivity.
Love from the sky~
Awesome! The only words I can find at the moment. I'm sitting here, drifting in and out of a tedious brain storming session, and run across this! Very uplifting and it feels great to know I'm not the only one sitting on the old and precarious thinking chair hardly anyone understands.
Great words and so true, we are all the same, we sweat over those words, hate the fact that we don't have much money, and yes we will get that job, but, oh heck I have to write! we are all brothers Billy, we 'get' each other, and that's what counts, love your hubs, always makes me think! lol!
Great positive message Bill. Keep up the great work.
billybuc- I was just sitting here, flipping through HP and literally tripped or a share of this great article of yours.
You make me proud!
I share your perspective on writing and although I know I will never be able to duplicate the writing of the greats of our past, somehow, I know that what I write will touch someone. Maybe not a timeless chain of centuries of readers and great thinkers, but as a writer, like you, I suspect, no, I know, that I will have something out there, on the web, in the Library of Congress, in a flea market, maybe, that touches someone deeply.
Otherwise, why did God give us the power to dream?
DON
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Thank you, Suzie. I appreciate you stopping by.
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Heck, Greg, you're already a member, so you can't join again. LOL Thanks, buddy.
Non-writers don't really understand writers and how they think. You said it so well. We are so connected in so many ways. Loved this Hub.
Can I join the club?? LOL Great hub Bill.
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Alan, you fought your way to the top of the comments and for that you should be commended. :) I'll be reading the Hollywood Reporter, looking for news about your film rights. I'm sure it will happen soon. :)
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Thank you, Flourish, and Happy Weekend to you.
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Indeed, Bill. I couldn't do this without the support of you and others like you. Thank you!
(You heard a squeak from down below and thought it was a mouse. turned out to be alancaster149 underneath this lot. Mind if I stretch? Ahh, that's better. Now, what was it I was going to say? Ah, right, here goes):
Some illustrious company you've brought into this. When you raised 'Iris' I thought of Iris Murdoch. I'll start going grey by the time I see a return on my investment (time + effort). I shall keep soldiering on... Who knows, one day somebody's going to come chasing after me for the film rights. Then it's poker time.
You've captured the essence of the brotherhood and sisterhood.
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And Jamie, you are a member in good standing. Thank you!
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Very true, Perspycacious. Thank you for the kind words. Have a productive weekend.
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Sally, Iris is a talent for sure, and one who needs to be recognized. Thank you for those words about her.
Have a great weekend, and thank you for being a member of this brotherhood.
bill
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Blessings to you, Kim, and I agree completely. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
bill
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It is my pleasure, m abdullah javed.
Thanks for your regular reminder of who you are and who we are. All working alone, but all working together for the common good. ;-)
I am proud to be a member. Great hub Bill! Jamie
BH - This should be added to any revision of the two books "The Writer's Handbook" and "On Being A Writer." It is profound and heartfelt, and explains what Hemingway meant when he said "Writers write." He could have added "much to the exclusion of the rest of life's gibberish!"
Love that you mention Iris Draak here. Now there's a writer of quality who won't be unknown for long! I am proud to be a writer in this community. Writing can be such a singular occupation but it certainly is much less so when you can write on HubPages.
Have a great week-end,
Sally
Bill,
While few may understand, there is nothing more rewarding than when one finds him or herself in the ZONE. Being a member of the brother/sister zone only makes it that much more special.
Blessings,
Kim
Its my pleasure, Bill Sir, to be a part of the esteemed Brotherhood. I am honored. Thanks.
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Thank you m abdullah javed....and welcome to the brotherhood.
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Well, Brad, whatever it is, I'm sure it will be entertaining.
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Carb, you say you aren't a writer, but you just crafted a couple beautiful sentences....just sayin'. :)
A wonderful piece of writing that introduces a vibrant brotherhood. Its an impressive way of sharing and inspiring. Thanks Sir!
billybuc
I think my hub problem was caused by Internet Explorer trying to protect me.
Thanks for welcoming back to hp.
I am not sure what will be the subject of my first hub.
Reading, Writing, and Ranting because Rithmetic is done on calculators today. Lol
Thanks
Bill, I'm not a writer but I so deeply enjoy a beautifully crafted paragraph. All of us have the requisite words in our minds, but it is in our hearts that those words combine to reveal our passion, our soul. I appreciate being able to listen to and learn from your brotherhood.
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I think so too, Marlene. Welcome back. I hope those pesky hackers leave you alone.
A wonderful brotherhood it is. We're all in such good company.
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Michelle, you reminded me of when I first started here....I earned my first money, and for a couple weeks I checked my earnings every single day, and when I got my first payout I took my wife out to dinner, so excited we were for that $50. Of course, I had to work about 100 hours for that fifty, but I didn't care. I had earned money as a writer!!!!!!!
I get it!
Happy weekend to you, my peer and friend.
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How did you know that, Dora??? LOL I'm glad you liked it. Have a great weekend.
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And Amen to you, Eric! Thank you!
And you wrote this encouraging, uplifting piece for me. Thanks, Brother.
Great and powerful piece Bill. We surely are a part of a brotherhood, one that can only understand the pain that goes into our work. I know my family looks down their noses at me when I hop around the house celebrating the pennies I have made, but that is alright. I have found more support from the group of writers here at HP than possibly all my life. This is an invaluable experience and certainly one that keeps me trying to be better and improve my craft. So to all my hubbers I say thank you and you all have been the reason I even try. Thanks Bill for recognizing how great our community is. Have a great weekend.
Amen!
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Zulma, no, they still wouldn't get it, but we definitely do.
I love that you described writing as therapy. LOL Closer to the truth than I may want to admit. :)
Have a wonderful weekend my rabble-rousing friend.
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Heidi, you've paid your dues and you belong here. Thank you and Happy Friday to you.
I really should carry this hub around with me and the next time someone asks me why I bother, I can show them this. It gets right to the heart of the matter better than anything I could say. Not that it would do any good; they still wouldn't get it. Never mind, we have each other and we understand all too well.
I simply cannot live without writing. It's my pastime, my therapy and my joy. Creating new worlds and characters to populate them and watch them live their lives...bliss!
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That happened to me yesterday, Sha, so it's got to be a glitch at HP...and I'm proud to belong to any group that has you as a member. :) Happy Weekend my friend.
Glad to be a card carrying member of this brotherhood! Thanks for being our champion, brother!
Okay, it happened again. I left a comment and it disappeared.
Basically, I wanted to say that it's very comforting to be part of a community who understands what it's like to sit in an office day after day with no one to talk to but ourselves. I'm proud to be a member of The Brotherhood of Writers. We're an amazing group of creatives.
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