A Significant Fear

You guys have heard of this blogfest me and my blogging pal Talli Roland are co-hosting…right? THE SIGNFICANT OTHER BLOGFEST. We are both super-pumped about it and can’t wait to read all the posts that day. We’re anticipating revelations galore, as well as a deeper understanding of what makes each of us tick. But there is something else I’ve seen through the course of reading the comments about our venture, a hint of something I consider a tad unsettling. FEAR.

On the surface, it comes across as an innocent, almost playful undercurrent of trepidation. Maybe I really don’t want to hear what my significant other has to say about my writing. But that makes me wonder -- how many are joking around, and how many won’t admit to the amount of truth in that statement? Let’s take it one step further…how many of my fellow writers/bloggers won’t even bother to ask their significant other to take part in the blogfest because of this fear?

I, in turn, had to ask myself the same question. What will my wife say in her post? Sure, she gripes about my time in front of the computer (or as she calls it, “checking out”) and she’s not thrilled that I associate regularly with so many women bloggers (can I help it if 95% of this writing blogosphere is female?). But moving past all that I know in my bones that she truly supports my writing and my dream to become published. She believes in my manuscripts as much as I do (sometimes more), and understands there’s still much for me to learn about the craft. How many of my fellow bloggers can say the same. How many are unsure? Is it a handicap if your significant other simply ‘tolerates’ your writing?

YOU!  HEY YOU!  That’s right…I’m talking to you now – the so-called significant other. I’m calling you out. I’m putting the spotlight on you for a change, just for a brief moment, and providing you the opportunity to make a statement that goes far beyond lip service. Do you realize that the writer your associated with regularly strips themselves naked, stands openly before a forum of their peers (and more importantly those with the power to judge), and asks a simple question. Is my writing good enough? At least that’s what it feels like. But the real meaning of their question is… Am I good enough? When that answer is anything but positive, they’ll need someone to lean on for support, but honestly even when the answer is positive they’ll still need someone…the process is just that scary. Are you that person you they can turn to?

If it is, then tell them …and let us listen. And if you’re too shy to have your thoughts posted here in the blogosphere, tell them anyway. Erase all of the doubts and uncertainty. Show us…and more importantly, them… that beneath the griping and dismissive looks, there lies a rock solid foundation of unshakable support. Their Champion.

I hope you’ll come out on January 21st, because it’s going to be a truly special day. Give us a chance (through our comments) to thank you for everything you do.