I’ve had a few ups and downs this week in terms of my writing. I did some revising of my novel Widow Woman (thank you to my readers for their feedback) and began working on writing my next one. Putting a Go Day out there for everyone to see made me accountable and productive: I actually finished Chapter One this afternoon. Hurray for me!

But  in spite of this achievement, off and on this whole week, I’ve been questioning my choice of a career; (can you actually call it a career if you’re not making any money at it?) I’ve been questioning whether I have what it takes to become a writer, be it skill, talent, luck, marketing ability, whatever; questioning my sanity–this has just been a week to be wracked with self-doubt.

Into the fray have stepped friends and family, just at the moment when I needed them the most. Bus-stop buddies telling me “To heck with traditional publishers! What do they know anyway?–let’s just get you onto Amazon! We know you’re going to be a star!” A colleague reading my first draft told me she has no doubt that I will get this novel of mine published. Several others who have been reading the manuscript have been telling me how good it is and asking for other things I’ve written. My “troops” have really been rallying behind me, for which I am intensely grateful.

But in this week of violent self-doubt, nothing has meant more to me than the support of one person–my husband.

Think that that kind of support doesn’t matter, or that it can be replicated in the encouragement of anyone else? It can’t. It is irreplaceable and invaluable. I was reading On Writing by Stephen King this afternoon and came across this passage: “And whenever I see a first novel dedicated to a wife (or a husband), I smile and think, There’s someone who knows. Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference. They don’t have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough.” Well, I haven’t been published yet, so I don’t have a formal dedication page yet, but I already know that I wouldn’t have gotten this far without him, so why wait–this one is for you.

I am so incredibly fortunate to have so many people out there who believe I’m going to succeed. Thanks to all of you for being there when my faith in myself wavers.

But to my husband, especially, thanks for reminding me that  though this may be a long haul, you’re there right behind me to push me when I need pushing, to pick me up when I stumble, or even to drag me the last few feet if I need to be dragged (if you ask him, that’s more often than not much of the time.)

Stephen King is right: Writing is a lonely thing. Thanks for keeping me company along the way.