Writer in need!

I know this has been making the rounds, but I figure it just can't hurt to pass it along to anyone who might not have heard yet.

help_vera

There's a very nice writer by the name of Vera Nazarian who, through a lot of really unfortunate, unlucky circumstances and a sucktastical economy, is in very real danger of losing the house that she and her ailing mother live in. She herself is suffering from health problems, and she needs $11,229.72 to save her house.

You can get all the details here at the comm.

Many of you may not know Vera, may never have her of her press, Norilana Books. You might be asking, why should I care? A lot of people are having a hard time, especially this time of year, why should I donate or offer up anything for this person?

While you're right that a lot of people are having a tough time (maybe even tougher than Ms. Nazarian), there's more to it. This isn't just about Vera, in a way, it's about all of us. Us as writers and artists as a community, as a kind of people.

Artist of any ilk tend to live on the edge. We love doing something that is rarely profitable, and sometimes not even feasible for putting food on the table. Despite this, we do it anyway. We keep writing, singing, painting, drawing, dancing, creating. Sometimes we work jobs and raise families and can only squeak out an hour or two to make something wonderful a day - but we do it. Even when it would just be easier to give up, go home, and let somebody else try.

Thing is? We can't always do it alone. We need each other.

There are no stories without writers, no art without artists, no beauty without creators. So we have look out for each other, us creators, us makers of worlds and tellers of stories. We have to take care of the artists so that there can be art.

Maybe one day you might find yourself in a tough spot. Who knows when this economy will get better, or what the oncoming year will bring. It may get worse before it gets better. And maybe you'll find that there are people there willing to help you out, too.

They're there because they understand that we've got to stick together, especially when things get rocky.

So let's stick together with Vera. Give what you can. Even if it's just a dollar or two. If you've got something you can auction, a service you can offer, go do that.

At the very least, pass the news around. Link to the community. Tell people that help is needed.