Is there anything more distinct than a 'writer friend'? Most of our lives are spent in total isolation, acting like maladjusted introverts, until a production schedule suddenly demands we turn into extroverted salespeople. It’s a jarring shift that feels like being lost at sea. I’ve realized that having friends in this industry is less about networking and more about finding a life raft. Whether you’re on your first book or your third, having someone who understands why a 'speed dating' trade show event is terrifying makes all the difference. We grow up alongside these people, from post-grad dreams to adult realities, and even though we can’t help but compare ourselves to them, that shared history is a time capsule. They aren't just colleagues; they are survival in a lonely world. #literature #art https://thoxt.com/l/iYRvMx 🔗