A Writer's Best Friend?

This guest post is from Kim Van Sickler, another fabulous member of my critique group.

Her story really resonated with me, because it's how I feel about my own chocolate Labrador named, Reilly.

Kim writes middle grade an Young Adult fiction and critiques like nobody's business.

Here she is with her pretty doggie, Peter:

Thank God For My Dog

I wasn't going to get one until I was a "traditionally published" children's author. That was the carrot I held out to myself for motivation. But...this formerly abused Labrador mutt who couldn't live with his rescuers any longer because of his Alpha Male Syndrome needed a home.

So I cheated and nabbed him early.

Thank God I did.

For any one out there who dreams of writing for an audience, you know what I'm talking about when I say writing can sometimes suck the life out of you. What a needy group we are: begging friends, family and strangers to read our diamonds in the rough, hoping that they see our potential to dazzle like Suzanne Collins.

But in my quest to be discovered, I'm lonely. I spend hours every day in front of my computer or my Alpha Smart writing and re-writing. And when I'm living those other non-writing parts of my life, nobody wants to hear about the breakthrough I made in that mermaid fight scene that was keeping me awake at night.

Except my dog.

I bounce ideas off him on our daily walks. Or when he follows me around the house. Or when I'm gardening, or throwing the ball for him, or even picking up his dog doo. He never changes the subject, texts while I'm talking to him, or looks miserable when I brainstorm ways to make my troubled MC more likeable.

He listens patiently.

When I'm writing, he lays beside me. He lets me read passages and even whole chapters to him without a grumble. If I speak in a higher pitch I even get a tail wag out of him. He wouldn't dream of acting bored (like the kids) or suggesting ways for me to be more like Lee Child (that would be the husband).

Sometimes, though, he does want to be petted.

An author's diet must consist of constructive criticism. I get that in my two critique groups. They keep me humble, yet encourage me to keep plugging away. I appreciate everything these other fledgling authors do for me. We're all in the same boat, trying to keep one another afloat.

But thank God for my nonjudgmental, tolerant, friendly pooch.

He's my life preserver in a sink or swim profession.

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So true Kim! Thank You!