While I can’t say that I’m still on cloud nine after the Golden Heart announcement, I can safely say that I’m on cloud seven-point-five. I would still be on cloud nine if I didn’t have a day job; while my day job is fun and rewarding, it is also demanding, and the demands of the job didn’t end just because I went off and did romance-writer stuff for a week.
However, I’m incredibly lucky that my coworkers and bosses (all the way up to my VPs) know about my writing, support it, ask about it, etc. without wanting to fire me for it. Many writers keep their aspirations hidden from their coworkers for fear of retribution, but my workplace is incredibly tolerant of this type of pursuit. That means that I could wear my Golden Heart necklace to work and get a hug from my director instead of a pink slip — and that means I can keep eating while I write, which is quite fortunate.
A writer only needs a few tools — a computer, a dictionary/thesaurus, a printer, and a red pen for edits. But, she can greatly improve her likelihood of success if she has a supportive network of family and friends — and the chances that she will fail increase tremendously if she’s hearing poisonous whispers that destroy her faith in her dreams. I have the supportive network of family and friends, and that’s really all I need. Of course, it would be nice to expand that “support” to include someone to pay all my bills and make my bed while I write, but I won’t get too greedy 
If you’re a writer, or even if you’re just pursuing a non-standard career, I would love to hear your thoughts — how vital is others’ support to your work? How do you deal with the inevitable insensitive remarks that make you want to pull your hair out?
Eric Stallsworth on 22 July 2009
I am very thankful that my wife is incredibly supportive. She lets me take time away from the fam so I can write without getting upset, she asks how things are going on my WiPs, and she just keeps telling me how good my writing is going to be. This feedback is incredibly vital to me, because I’m unpublished at this point and the worry monster creeps in all the time trying to tell me I’ll never be good enough. That’s cool that your job allows and supports your alternate aims. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for mine. Oh well
Sara Ramsey on 22 July 2009
@Eric Stallsworth: All the support in the world from my day job wouldn’t matter if my family didn’t support me as well - that’s great that your wife is so supportive. The “worry monster” is one of the worst parts of being a writer, what with the isolation and the uncertainty and the lack of pay/benefits, so anything you can do to kill it is vital.
Louisa Cornell on 22 July 2009
Hi Sara!
I am so proud of you for winning the Golden Heart! You did the Ruby Slipper Sisters proud on Saturday night!
I have to agree that a supportive family and friends network really helps when the road gets bumpy.
I too had to come back to the reality of the DDJ (dreaded day job) which pays for little luxuries like food and living indoors!
The sweetest thing I ever saw was at my brother’s house. He has an office in his home and I went in during one visit to check out something on his computer. Over his desk was a bulletin board and what did I see in the middle of the board but the clipping from our hometown paper about my last year’s GH final. It meant the world to me.
They are really great cheerleaders for my writing. My nephew spent the week at my house to take care of my dogs and cats while I was away. Not many 18 year olds would spend a week in the middle of nowhere babysitting a herd of pets on one of the few free weeks he has left before he starts his freshman year in college!
I am really, really lucky. And best of all I have the most supportive, badgering, fabulous critique partner on the planet!
Tonya Kappes on 27 July 2009
Like you, I have a day job. It’s just I’m the boss…which stinks if you’re a writer b/c I don’t want to work. I want to write. Thankfully, I am a child’s play therapist which makes my appointments go fast and fun. I also have four boys ten and up who are in sports, so the time I niche out for myself is when they are at practice everynight.
My husband is wonderful and supportive. My children are my biggest fans. Plus my local RWA chap. is awesome!! Writers support writers and I love that!
I am so happy for your GH win. Hopefully I will get to see you next year in Nashville.!!
Vivi Andrews on 28 July 2009
I’m lucky too, in that I have an extremely supportive network of family and friends. Though I do occasionally run across the “You’re so smart, you could write anything, why are you wasting your time with romances” BS. But I’m proud of what I’m doing and just let it roll right off. You have to, yeah?
And fellow writers are a great support system.