Finding Your Village
As a New Kid to writing, I’ve been active in a lot of
groups. RWA for one, including the PRO
loop. My local chapter (Yay – MORWA),
for another. I love the programs and benefits including workshops and classes
or just a loop to ask a question or learn from another’s progress.
But I’ve also been part of a lot of small informal groups. A
group of friends around a woman who was kind enough to take a new writer on as
a buddy as well as a friend when I first started out. (Shout out to Laura Bradford – Hearse and
Buggy – her Amish mystery series launched this week.) She introduced me to the
amazing Joe Richardson whose photos are as beautiful and touching as his
written words. And who taught me there’s
always a lake monster.
Another group I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of is the
lala’s. Valerie Bowman (Secrets of a
Wedding Night-St. Martin’s) pulled this group together after Golden Heart
announcements were made and she didn’t place (that year.) Our on-line group
critiqued the crap (literally) out of our manuscripts, synopsis (or is it
synopsi?), and query letters for a year.
Results – first year two lala’s finaled (and both sold at or close to Nat’l). This year, three finalists – and more sales –
not just with the GH crew. Queen Valerie as we affectionately call her, is
driven, positive, and, like the army, unwilling to leave a man (or writer)
behind. Or is that the rangers? I get my special ops guys mixed up.
I joined one of Amy Atwell’s GIAM groups – setting and
reporting goals weekly. And I’ve been a
part of the 50K in a month group since the beginning of the year.
And that’s not all of my loops. (Hangs head in shame.) I’m a networking junkie.
Now that I’ve sold, I’ve gained two new groups of supporters
and sisters. Crimson Romance has a
Facebook group for their authors and each day, I’m overwhelmed by the amount of
information and help given by these busy women. Lyrical Press has a yahoo loop
and Tuesday social time to get us networking and getting our name out there.
Lots of support out there in the universe. All you have to do is ask for help. And the universe will provide.
Soon, I won’t be a New Kid anymore, but I’ll still remember
how I felt when I was. And how lucky I
was not to be alone in my journey.
Thanks for everyone who walked the path with me.
Now, Cyber Champagne ! My debut book, The Bull Rider’s Brother came
out Monday.
Hope Ramsay – Author of the Last Chance series by Forever
(Welcome to Last Chance, Last Chance Beauty Queen, Home at Last Chance, and the
upcoming Last Chance Christmas) had this to say about The Bull Rider’s Brother…
“Bull Rider's Brother is a great, emotional read filled with
memorable
characters you won't soon forget.”
So if you haven’t ordered your copy yet, here’s the link… www.amazon.com/The-Bull-Riders-Brother-ebook/dp/B008195C2I/
Also available at Barnes and Noble and i-tunes.
Thank you all for being part of this journey.
Lynn
11 comments:
Lynn,
Writers often lament that we're in a lonely business. As you've shown above, it doesn't have to be.
Congratulations on the sale of your novel.
Wishing you, many, many sales.
I don't know what I'd do without my Lalalas. Oh wait, yes I do. I'd have probably given up before I sold. I've long said I can't write in a vacuum and it's true. Since June 1st I've written over 11K because a bunch of us are doing writing sprints in the evening. *waves to Mary* If I wasn't doing that, I'd still be plugging along at a dismal 500 words a day.
Three cheers for all our support groups and for the women who had the foresight and drive to bring us together.
Great post, Lynn! RWA is great for finding fellow villagers, and I am really enjoying getting to know the folks in my local chapter. Writing buddies abound both in strictly writing-related groups, and in other networks; you only have to look.
Congrats on the sale of your book, and the lovely review!
big congrats, Lynn!! You're so right - the online friends we make can be sanity savers, pushers and friends. So glad you've found yours!!
Hi Mary - Great observation. I don't see myself as a joiner, but I guess I'm wrong. LOL Thanks for your support.
Ash - You're a big part of the lala's. One of our secret spies in the traditional publishing world. Good luck with your release.
Marian - Joining RWA was the best decision I made when I became serious about writing.
Kristina - writing pusher! Ha - I tell my friend writing's like a drug, you always want a bigger hit.
You are right on target, Lynn!
There's nothing like having other writers for support. Honestly, I don't know how writers did it before the Internet - it's my way of keeping in touch when I can't meet face-to-face.
*Shout Out* to all the other Crimson Authors - don't know how I would have gotten through the release without you!
I am so, so excited for you, Lynn! Not just for this book--but for the launch of your career as a novelist.
I think of all the kids who don't know they're writers yet, but who will someday. Some of the lucky ones will find you. Those are the up-and-comers who'll learn to believe in their talent, their stories, their dreams. You'll teach them that. It's who you are.
Thanks for your kind words. And you're right--there's always something swimming in the lake, just beyond the light. Keeps life interesting, that.
I don't think I'd still be writing today if I hadn't found my way to RWA, both at the national level and the local level. The support and assistance I've received there is invaluable. And that's not including the friendships I've developed. And the LaLaLas are amazing. They inspire me with their cheer and energy every single day.
Great post, Lynn, and I'm so happy we are part of the same village! :)
Joe - you missed out on vanilla milkshakes Friday night. LOL
Thanks for all your support.
Irene, I know this is my debut release, but I'm amazed at the generosity of the CR authors. Great group we belong too.
Maura - it's been nice getting to know you in several different venues. I'm skipping this RWA, but I'll be in Atlanta. Will you?
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