As a writer who still has much to learn and many more words to write, I am blessed by the people around me who not only pay lip service to this venture, but actively support it.
Ask a writer how important it is to have a positive support system, and you'll probably be told it can make or break a writer. Without support on the home front, it can be difficult to start or maintain a career. If you keep getting negative input from those you are closest to, getting to the keyboard can be that much harder.
I'm fortunate to have people like my husband Don, who will ask me before he goes to bed if I've written my words for the day yet and will urge me to get to my office if I haven't. He reads what I place in front of him and doesn't imply I'm a failure because I'm still not making a whole lot of money yet. When I am discouraged, he will remind me that this is a marathon and to do what I know to do.
He even invests in my workshops and conventions because they are part of the learning process and the business of writing. He's my personal cheerleader and I'm grateful to have him in my life.
My friends want me to succeed and cheer me on to get going and write more stuff for them to read. I appreciate them and their patience.
Hopefully you have an excellent support system as you go after your passion. I hope there are people in your life cheering you on and encouraging you to pursue your dreams. May that be as true for you as it is for me.