How to Live With a Writer

Writers are wonderful, complicated and mysterious creatures whose moods sometimes ebb and flow with the current of their creativity. Though the writing life is often romantically imagined as a purely satisfying journey of artistic expression, it is also very, very hard. The writer you live with will rely on you for support and understanding--a role that requires some special instructions. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sensitivity
• Patience
• Bookcases

1. 
    

   Develop an interest in literature. The writing life is a solitary one, but like anyone, writers like to share their passion with those they care about. By developing an interest in reading and writing, you will earn passage into the secret world of writers where you will be welcomed with open arms.

2. Don't worry--it's not you. If you find that your favorite crumbling Green Bay Packers cheese-head has made its way onto the villain's head in your wife's latest story, don't worry--it's not you. Writers often use details from their own lives to fill out a character description but don't read too much into it. Unless they're writing an autobiography, in which case you may tactfully protest.

3. 
    

   Learn to give honest critiques. If you live with a writer, they will likely turn to you for advice on their writing. It's important to be honest in your critiques as writers usually see right through false exuberance. Ask them what kind of feedback they're looking for and tell them both what you love and what needs to improve.

4. Grow a thick skin. Writers deal with numerous psychological challenges from writer's block to self-doubt to multiple rejection slips. Understand that their bad mood has nothing to do with you and you can't fix it (unless you happen to be the editor of a major literary magazine).

5. 
    
   Photo Credit: Ronnie Bergeron

   Maintain your own friendships and interests. Writers covet time alone to write. Sometimes they hole up behind their computers for days. It's easy to feel lonely and neglected at times like these, so make sure to feed your own passions and friendships.

6. Enjoy successes. When writers are satisfied with their work and especially when they get published, they are some of the happiest people on earth. Since you live with a writer and have shared in all his struggles and misery, you've earned the right to celebrate, too!

Tips & Warnings

• Writers love when you tell them the strange, interesting and quirky details of your day. You may find some of those details in their next story!
• While it's great to be sensitive to a writer, you deserve attention and support as well. It's okay to remind your beloved writer of that.
• Don't give the writer you're living with specific ideas for a story, poem or essay. Writers prefer to come up with their own ideas.
• If you are using a writer's desk or computer, don't touch any papers or files. A lost piece of writing can cause a whole world of pain.

[AlexysQuinn]

on 11/15/2008 Nice one!

[SkinExpert]

on 1/15/2008 Well done!

[TGreen1]

on 12/12/2007 I love this eHow! It's so true to life.
Great job!