We are an amalgam of the five people we spend the most time with. If they habitually complain, we complain. If they habitually exercise, we exercise. Their attitude and lifestyle matches matches ours—for better or worse.
This applies equally to writing. Our attitude toward writing matches that of the five writers we spend the most time with. Make a list of them and then consider their attitude toward writing; do they find it torturous or enjoyable? Do they believe they can earn a living from their work, or not?
Do they study the craft? I’m not asking whether they’ve bought a bunch of books about writing. I mean, have they studied those books and applied what they’ve learned to masterworks? Have they tried to incorporate what they’ve learned into their own writing? Do they attend seminars, in person or online?
Have they published anything? Do they want to?
It doesn’t matter what the answers to these questions are (there’s no right or wrong here), but knowing the answers is vital. It’s the only way you’ll know whether you’re mixing with the people who are right for you.
