The loneliness of being a writer

It comes with the keyboard. It is a solitary process that few non-artists truly understand.
This is why one of the major parts of the 3by3 writing method is networking. Not every connection will bring an agent, publishing contract or incredible insight into the craft. But being around others who share the frustrations, elations and long hours struggling to find the right way to express emotions, conflicts and scenes with mere words can be immensely comforting.
I was with a group recently. Not one of us wrote in the same genre. There was a marketing blogger, a journalist, a novelist, a self-help author, nutritionist, a memoirist and a thriller author. But the commonality of searching for income, finding the right subjects and being that unique individual was as satisfying as eating a good meal.
Artists are unique but share a bond and certain commonalities. It is good to share in our loneliness. Sometimes it makes us feel less alone.