Writers need writers. We need to bounce ideas back and forth. We need someone to ask, "Is this the right word?" and "Do I need this line?" We need someone to tell us these things before we ask, too! We need one another after a low-word-count week to tell ourselves next week will be better. We need constructive criticism--the kind that makes one another better writers and readers.

I have a dear writing mate. She sends me her poems for comments, and I send her mine. We are book buddies, too, so we share insights about what we are reading. Because we have been friends for many years, we also know the nuances behind each word and line break. We help one another balance those deeper meanings with universal truths. She is one of my irons sharpening me to be a better person and writer. I hope I am the same for her.

I have found other writing mates through book clubs, social media writing groups, blog posts, Twitter feeds, book reviews, and local writing classes. Find out there are others like you who need you as much as you need them. Together make your words sing!