Let's be honest: writing is hard, and sometimes scary. Whether you're tackling a novel, a script, a memoir, or a short story, encouragement and positive feedback from other writers not only help you improve your work, but give you an incentive to keep going. You'll also learn a great deal from reading the work of other writers. I've been a writer for forty years, and have worked professionally as a journalist (the Contra Costa Times, and freelance for dozens of other publications), television co …