Soulmates

Have you ever met someone who was so similar to you that it was a little scary? You have the same sense of humor, talk the same way, think about the same things, etc. This person is your soulmate. We tend to think of soulmates as being romantic, but I would disagree. All it means is that you are on the same wavelength. You understand each other the way you understand yourselves.

I think that it is very important (or at least very useful) to find your writing soulmate. Such a person makes a great partner and a great reader. When you talk together, you bounce ideas off each other that easily become stories in your head. When they talk about their own work, it excites you.

When your soulmate reads your work, they know exactly what you are trying to do. They know what is working and what is not working. When they give you advice, they are not trying to make it into their own idea, but helping you to make it exactly what you want it to be. I will admit that a good enough reader can do those things, too, but a soulmate does it innately. A soulmate doesn't need the incredible amount of training that a top-tier reader needs because most of the thinking and understanding is done unconsciously.

If you can find a writing soulmate, consider yourself very lucky. They are one of the rarest things out there. Create the relationship, grow it, and make sure you let your soulmate know exactly how much you appreciate them.