The Answer to Your Writing Struggles is Blowin' in the Wind

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

One day, it was windy here in Sugar Hill. Really windy. I had asked my music minister to pick up a 4'x8' sheet of closed-cell Styrofoam and some lumber at Home Depot to make a stage prop for a drama production. After all, he's the one who asked me to build the prop, and he had the pick-up truck.

Closed-cell Styrofoam, for those who don't know, is used in building houses. It's great for lightweight sets and props. I told him he could wait until next week, so don't blame me. 

He's the one who decided to pick it up on Thursday. In the wind. 

Have you ever walked with a large sheet of closed-cell Styrofoam? It's bad enough with no wind. When holding a sheet, it can act like a sail. That stuff could carry a 150-pound man to Savannah and back.

Coming out of the store, he was buffeted by the wind, which turned him around a number of times. By sheer grit, he managed to hold on to it and make his way to his truck with his feet still on the ground.

Then he had to tie it down. While this was going on, he picked up an audience in the parking lot.

Each time he let go of one side to grab the tie-down, the other side made lift-off, nearly taking him with it. Trying to remain rooted to the ground and tie down the sheet to his truck was proving impossible.

Finally, a few guys, with tears of laughter streaming down their faces, helped him. But the minute they got it tied down, everything else in the back of the truck blew out ... all over the parking lot.

I have to confess. The next morning at church, I couldn't help myself. When he walked past me, I started singing I'll Fly Away.

I wonder who I can ask to help me build the next prop?

So what does this have to do with writing?

A lot actually. When you're struggling to nail your plot without holes in it, try a brainstorm session with a critique partner or friend. I've even made my husband and youngest son come up with ideas for me. And they are truly great with them—sometimes.

While family is great, there are none better than your close writing buddies. I've been CPs with mine for close to 20 years. They know my writing voice and can suggest ideas that suit my stories. 

But what if you're a new writer without writing buddies? Look for some online. There are so many writer communities in cyberspace. If you want a specific genre writing community, Google it. A Christian one—Googel it. One that meets in person—you know what I'm going to say. Google it.

And when you do, you will find the people who—like those guys int he parking lot—will come along side you and help you on your journey.

So, join the conversation: How did you meet your writing buddies or critique partners?

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The Answer to Your Writing Struggles is Blowin' in the Wind from @AneMulligan on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Ane Mulligan lives life from a director’s chair, both in theatre and at her desk creating novels. Entranced with story by age three, at five she saw PETER PAN onstage and was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. One day, her passions collided, and an award-winning, bestselling novelist emerged. She believes chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups and lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, The Write Conversation, and Blue Ridge Conference Blog.