"Writing is a lonely job. Even if a writer socializes regularly, when he gets down to the real business of life, it is he and his typewriter or word processor. No one else is or can be involved in the matter." This quotable quote is attributed to author Isaac Asimov. Asimov also edited voluminous works, but he was more popularly known as a science fiction writer and professor of biochemistry.
If you write not just as a hobby but as a vocation or a means of living like I do, you know this is true. Oftentimes, writers have to be alone to be able to think and write. Many times, the only sound I hear is the tap on my keyboard or the music from YouTube. Although I enjoy being by myself most of the time, there are moments when I still feel lonely when I write. Writers have to endure loneliness to serve readers some dose of happiness.
Just this afternoon, I was beginning to feel it again while reading and getting ready to edit some files. To perk myself up, I tried to hum a familiar tune and reminded myself that I'm doing a good work (a pat in the back!) And then a thought came, "Maybe I feel lonely because I don't often get encouragement." Just then, an email arrived from one of those editors I'm mentoring for a curriculum project. She's done with her assigned work and she cared enough to send this note: Thanks for your gift of prayer and encouragement...for the gift of sharing your knowledge and skills...I learned a lot from you...
I stopped what I was doing and looked out of my window. I savored her message and uttered thanks to God. I realized God wanted to encourage me so she led that person to send that email at a time when I needed it most. Thank You, Lord.
Now I can happily go back to writing and editing.
