Writers have at least two sources of eternal friendship on the page. Often, it comes in the forms of our mentors and muses. Our mentors—whether they are family, friends, teachers, or others—allow us territory to discover more about ourselves and our worlds, while our muses–ancestors, favorite bands, beloved places, the heat of the sun, the feel of the moon—gift us with inspiration and aspirations. Join this circle of writers as they explore their sources of support and share their gratitude for the ways in which we are held in our moments of need.

Photo: Pao Houa Her, untitled (fake flowers from restaurant) from the series The Imaginative Landscape, 2019.