Robin Burrows's Blog, page 4

Entwined – A Nokar Poem

Artwork by Tim Robbins. http://www.facebook.com/timrobbinsart

Here is another poem in my Nokar series.

 

Entwined: A Nokar Poem

By Robin A Burrows

 

Fingers entwined

Like weavings

Of a carpet

Speaking

Words

Unsaid

Trapped

Inside.

 

The bus

Bounces

Down

The branching

Road.

 

Stop and go.

Stop and go.

 

A person

Leaves.

 

A person

Comes.

 

Entwined

Fingers

Grasp for time

The dream

Their only

Touch

Clinging together

For the life

They want

The one

They can

Only live

On the reels

Of dreams.

 

The bus

Bounces

Down the

Branching

Road.

 

Get off

Or

Ride

A while

Longer.

 

Fingers entwined

He asks

The question

Weighing

Upon his soul.

 

But her fingers

Already speak

The answer.

 

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What Species of Book Lover Are You?

There are different kinds of readers. I never knew there were quite so many. I came across this info graphic the other day and thought the book-lovers who follow my blog would enjoy it. I know I fall in a number of categories here. What kind of book lover are you?

Original graphic by Laura E. Kelly with this graphic. (Click to view at original large size.)

Visit Laura-e-Kelly.com for more about books, reading, and authors.

 

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Who Is Your Favorite Character?

We all pick favorites. Today I want to talk about characters. Who are some of your favorite characters and why?

There are so many characters I love; it’s difficult to choose just one. So here are several characters I like.

Tyrion Lannister from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones series is on the list because I like his humor.

Most recently in Terry Brooks’ Shannara series, I really liked the Ohmsford twins and Marai Leah in the Dark Legacy trilogy. They were fun, mischievous characters.

I love the spunky character of Magda Searus in Terry Goodkind’s The First Confessor. The book is a prequel to his Sword of Truth series.

Lyra Belacqua in Phillip Pullman’s  The Golden Compass / His Dark Materials series is also on my favorite character list for her strong personality.

Currently, I’m reading The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. I know, I know. The series is old news. But I wanted to wait until it was finished before I started. Plus all of those long books is a big time commitment. But so far it’s worth it. Loial, the Ogier is my favorite (so far). He has some of the best lines and is such a contradiction sometimes. Love him!

Share some of your favorite characters in the comments below. I love learning about books I might enjoy!

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Social Media and App Tutorials 10 – How to Embed a YouTube Video in a WordPress Blog

Do you want to embed a YouTube video in your WordPress blog, but you’re afraid it’s too difficult?

Don’t worry. It’s actually really easy.

1. Log into your website and type up your blog, leaving a spot for the video.

2. Look at the top right of the text box where you normally type your post. You are probably on the tab called “Visual.” Click on the tab called “Text.” Don’t be intimidated by any code in the text view. You won’t be editing the code.

3. In another browser window, open the YouTube video you want to share in your blog.

4. Click on “Share” right below the YouTube video.

5. Then select “Embed” and copy the YouTube code.

6. Go back to your blog, and paste the code into the text tab (in the empty spot).

7. Click back on the Visual tab on your blog. There should be a box where the video will be. The actual video may not appear in the Visual box, but when you preview or post your blog, the video should be there.

That’s all you have to do: copy and paste the embed code from YouTube and paste it into the “Text” tab on your WordPress blog. It has to be pasted in the Text tab because the code will not work if you paste it into the Visual box.

If y0u use a blogging service besides WordPress, embedding a video should work in a similar manner. Just be sure to paste the YouTube embed code in the box that has the code in it.

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Music and Theme Songs for Characters and Writing

Some writers listen to music to get into the right mood for writing. Other writers can’t concentrate if they play music while trying to write.

I fall into the second category. Music becomes a soundtrack in my brain, and I find myself typing the song lyrics or singing along instead of writing my story.

However, I do have a number of songs that are “theme-songs” for characters. Especially my Nokar character. Of course there are tons of angsty songs and many of them fit Nokar’s tortured existence. Maybe someday I’ll finally be able to write his story.

Here’s one of his on-going theme songs – “Past Life” by Mikey Wax

This is one of Nokar’s theme songs after his wife dies…yet again. The song is “Return to Me” by Matthew Ryan.

I could go on and on for this character. But here is one final theme song. It’s from late in Nokar’s Earth years or early in his Landrina years…I think. The song is “Key Entity Extraction IV: Evagria The Faithful” by Coheed and Cambria.

If you are a writer, do you listen to music while you write, or pick theme songs for your characters, or both? As a reader do you find theme songs for your favorite characters, too?

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Nokar Poem: Gyre of Lives

Here is another poem in my Nokar series.

Gyre of Lives

A Nokar Poem

By Robin A. Burrows

Each time he saw her

each body

was a shock

to his senses

an overload

of colors and curves

foreign to his eyes.

For a moment

she felt alien to him-

not like the one he knew.

Had she irrevocably changed?

Then he saw her eyes,

those same smiling eyes

glowing beneath

her new container.

And the strangeness faded.

Her beauty shone forth

and overwhelmed him

like a lost child come home.

Tears filled his eyes.

She looked different

but her soul

was still her.

He was home.

 

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Science Fiction (#scifi) and Fantasy TV Shows for 2013-2014

Wondering what science fiction (scifi) and fantasy tv shows will be on the air in the 2013-2014 season? Me too. So I have compiled a list with plot summaries and my personal notes. I hope you find something fantastic to watch in the upcoming year!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Scifi/Fantasy – ABC – Season 1 premiers September 24, 2013

This is Agent Cole’s superhero task force. The tv show is written by Joss Whedon, so it’s sure to be an edge-of-your-seat ride. I can’t wait!

Almost Human – Scifi/police drama – Fox – Season 1 premier on November 4, 2013

It’s 35 years in the future. A LAPD detective who hates robots is paired up with a life-like android with emotions.

Arrow – Scifi/Drama – CW – 2nd Season starts October 9, 2013

This show is about the comic book character Green Arrow. It’s a CW Show, so it’s more about the drama and relationships than the action. If you like that, you’ll like this show. If not, you probably won’t.

Beauty and the Beast - Scifi/Romance – CW – 2nd Season starts October 7, 2013

Vincent (the beast) is a genetically manipulated super-human. Catherine (Kristen Kreuk) is the daughter of the woman who created him for the army. Muirfield is the government agency who wants to cover up their mistake by eliminating all of the super-soldiers. Drama and romance ensues. The first season started off slow, but if you like romance, it will pull you in.

Being Human (US) – Scifi/Drama – Syfy – Season 4 starts winter/spring 2014

A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost share a house and try to be human. There is a UK and a US version of this show. I’ve only seen a bit of the UK show and I found it slow. But I’ve heard the US version revamped the show to make it appeal more to US audiences. It’s on my list of show to eventually try.

Believe – Scifi/Fantasy – NBC – Premiers midseason 2013-2014

This is the story of a girl born with uncontrollable powers and the prisoner who must serve as her protector as they avoid those who want the girl for evil purposes.

Big Bang Theory – Comedy/Scifi – CBS – Season 7 premiers – September 26, 2013

A sitcom about geeks.

Continuum – Scifi – SyFy – Season 2 premiers on June 5, 2013 & renewed for 3rd season.

A female cop from 2077 follows a group of terrorists back in time to 2012. She must hide her identity from the locals and avoid changing the timeline while she hunts the terrorist. Lots of intrigue and plot twists. I won’t give anything away.

Cross Bones – Adventure – NBC – Mid-Season Premier, late 2013/early 2014

It’s 1715 and the golden age of pirates. Tom Lowe, and assassin, is sent to kill Blackbeard, but his task isn’t as straight-forward as it seems.

The Dark Tower – Fantasy – HBO – Rumored to be in production

A tv show based off of the Steven King books

Defiance – Scifi/Fantasy – Syfy – Season 2 premiers Spring 2014.

A human and his adopted alien daughter stumble upon the civilized city of Defiance in post-war St Louis. The story is about the characters and the world as humans and aliens struggle together to survive. The show is also a tie-in to a computer game with the same name. The show stands-alone well without the game. It is one of my favorite scifi shows of 2013.

Dracula – Fantasy/thriller/drama – NBC – Premiers October 25, 2013

The story of Dracula in the 19th Century as electricity begins to spread. He plans revenge on those who cursed him with immortality, but things become complicated when he meets a woman who appears to be the reincarnation of his dead wife.

Drop Dead Diva – Paranormal/Legal/Drama/Romance – Lifetime – Season 5 started June 23, 2013

This doesn’t sound like a fantasy or scifi tv show, you might say. That’s what I thought at first, too. Based on the title, I thought it would be yet another retelling of the Devil Wears Prada / Ugly Betty plot. And although it does have similarities to those plots, it also adds a supernatural aspect; the main character is dead. Get the title now? Once I knew that, I was hooked. The story is all about a supermodel who dies (Deb), but instead of going to heaven, she ends up in the body of an attorney (Jane) – who looks nothing like a supermodel, but starts acting like one. Oh and the supermodel’s boyfriend works at the same law firm as Jane, but Deb isn’t allowed to tell Grayson that she’s in Jane’s body. This is basically an epic romance setup as a legal drama, with a supernatural twist. But so many of the characters are quirky that it’s really a fun watch. In season 4, Deb/Jane thinks she has finally moved on from Grayson, but Grayson finally starts to notice her and some of the coincidences between Deb’s death and Jane.

Dr. Who (2005) – Scifi – BBC America – Season 8 airs in 2014 with a special on November 23, 2013

Dr. Who is a man who adventures through time in the TARDIS, a machine that looks a lot like a British phone booth. He usually ends up helping with supernatural problems everywhere he goes.

Falling Skies – Scifi – TNT – 3rd Season starts June 9, 2013

Aliens invade Earth, destroying most of the major cities. They hunt the survivors and “harness” the children, turning them into little worker minions – both literally and physically. Falling Skies is about of group of human who fight back – The 2nd Massachusetts – and struggle to survive in the apocalyptic setting. If you like hard scifi, this is the show for you this summer.

Game of Thrones – Fantasy – HBO –  Season 4 begins Spring 2014

If you haven’t read the books by George RR Martin, read them. This show is about the politic and intrigue in a medieval type society. Everyone wants power, and when the king dies, the nation divides under potential new kings. However, a greater issue is brewing. The long winter is coming, magic is awakening, and an enemy thought to be long dead, awakens to turn the world into a land of ice with their undead army. While the story is about the politics, it’s also about the characters. There are a lot of interesting characters. My favorite is the dwarf because of his quirky humor. Obviously, the story has been modified by HBO to make anything that would be slightly controversial in the books all that much more sensationalized in the tv show. It’s also a show full of death and war and nudity and sex. But if you don’t mind that, you will love (and hate) the characters and their stories.

Grimm – Urban Fantasy – NBC – Season 3 starts October 25, 2013

Take a police detective and make him a “Grimm” – a member of a family of monster-hunters. Then add a city/world full of mythical monsters, and you have the Grimm tv show. Season 1 started out as a “monster of the week” type detective show as the main character learned he was a Grimm and started to learn about the world as a Grimm. Over the course of the season, it became less episodic (which I liked) and added more intrigue between the various “monsters” in the city. There is a lot going on that our protagonist doesn’t know about. Season 2 was awesome with more consecutive plotlines. I have high hopes for season 3.

Haven – Supernatural/Scifi – SyFy – Season 4 begins September 13, 2013

Haven is a small town with a big secret. It is a refuge for the Troubled – people with superpowers. But not the good kind; the kind that always cause some sort of disaster. Our protagonist has a mysterious past intertwined with periods of troubles in the town. She works with the local police station to handle incidents as she slowly uncovers her past and destiny.

Lost Girl – Fantasy/Romance/Action – Syfy – Season 4 beings January 2014

I didn’t watch this show for a long time because the title and plot summaries I read were misleading. The main character, Bo, is not a girl. She is very much a woman in every way. She is also a sucubus. Bo grew up with a human family. (I think the title refers to how her location was lost when she was a baby.) She didn’t know what she was when her powers manifested, so she travels from town to town accidentally killing people with her powers. One day she stumbles into a town filled with Fae. They recognize her for what she is, and try to make her choose between the dark fae and the light fae. But she chooses to remain neutral (which has never happened before). The other Fae help her learn to control her powers, and she starts a new life. A human saved by Bo insists they start their own supernatural detective agency to make money, but the show is really about the larger Fae plotlines (mysterious character histories) and the romance between Bo and Dyson (another Fae). There are lots of quirky characters in this series. Lots of sex too. I highly recommend this if you like fantasy or romance. Plus the actress who plays Bo is quite attractive and always fighting someone or another (for those of you who prefer action). I also hear there will be lots of interesting guest stars this season including George Takai (from Star Trek).

The Neighbors – Scifi /Comedy– ABC – Season 2 premiers September 20, 2013

The Weaver family recently bought a home in the gated New Jersey community of Hidden Hills. They come to find out, their neighbors are all aliens. This sitcom with aliens has some funny moments and some that fall flat. Lots of the best moments involve great lines coming out of the mouths of the younger children.

Once Upon A Time – Fantasy – ABC – Season 3 premiers September 29, 2013

In season 1 fairy tale characters were sent to our world and didn’t remember their pasts as fairy tale characters. An outsider and her son are the only ones who can save the people of Storybrook, Maine. Season 2 is about the tension between characters when they regain their memories and a little magic. At the beginning of Season 4 the primary cast set sail for Neverland to save Henry.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland – Fantasy – ABC – Seaon 1 premiers October 10, 2013

From the writers of Once Upon a Time, this spin-off is about new fairy tale characters in Wonderland. The previews make it looks like it’s an Alice in Wonderland story with star-crossed lovers, and everyone thinks Alice is insane. It will be a great fantasy if it’s anything the original series.

The Originals – Fantasy – CW – Season 1 premiers October 15, 2013

This show is a spin-off series about the Original vampires from The Vampire Diaries. Klaus moves to New Orleans to investigate a witch trying to kill him and decides to stay to reclaim his city. Double the vampires, witches, and werewolves! I’m sad for Caroline and Klaus though. Maybe there will be some cross-over episodes. I hope they find a way to make Klaus a more likable character since he’s the main character…because he’s about as likable as Theon Greyjoy without Caroline at his side.

Reign – Historical Drama (Fantasy maybe?) – CW – Season 1 premiers October 17, 2013

This looks like a historical drama/romance about Queen Mary of Scotland. But if it is anything like popular CW shows, there will be something supernatural about it. Or it could be I just added this to the list as fantasy for all of the beautiful actors.

Resurrection – Fantasy/Scifi – ABC – premiers midseason 2013-2014

A boy is found in China and returned home, only to discover he died over 30 years ago. But he appears to be the same boy who died. How is he suddenly alive again and unchanged in the past 30 years?

Revolution – Scifi/Post-Apocalypse – NBC – Season 2 premiers September 25, 2013

This is another end of the world series like Jerico without bombs (so far). Something mysterious causes the power to go out around the globe, and people live the best they can without technology. Governments fall and reform. The first season ends with a cliffhanger. The fate of 2 governments and whether the world will regain electricity hang in the balance.

Saving Hope – Supernatural medical drama – Season 2 began on June 25, 2013 on Canadian tv. No word on whether any US tv stations will pick it up yet. NBC aired the first season. On his way to his wedding, Chief of Surgery, Charlie Harris, is in a car crash and ends up in a coma. While in his coma, he wanders the hall as a spirit and helps the spirits of patients while his fiancé, who is also a doctor, helps them in the physical world. It stars Michael Shanks (from Stargate) and Erica Durance (Lois Lane from Smallville). I’m not overly fond of medical dramas, but the supernatural elements pulled me into this series. It’s a very heart-warming show.

Sleepy Hollow – Supernatural fantasy/mystery/thriller – Fox – Premiers on September 16, 2013

This is a modern retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman come back to life in our modern world.

Star-Crossed – Scifi – CW – Premiers MidSeason 2013-2014

Alien students enter a human school and one falls in love with a human? It’s hard to tell much from previews yet.

Supernatural – Scifi/fantasy – CW – Season 8 begins October 9, 2013

Two brother hunt demons..and so much more!

Teen Wolf – Fantasy – MTV – Season 3 premiers June 3, 2013. Part B premiers January 6, 2014.

The first season starts off slow and very teenager-y. But it picks up by the end of the first season. Season 2 begins with a bang as a former Battle Star Galactica actor joins the cast and goes on to a great season full of on-the-edge-of-your-seat tension.

Tomorrow People – Scifi – CW – Premiers October 9, 2013

Humans with super-human abilities.

True Blood – Fantasy – HBO – Season 6 premiered June 16, 2013

Vampires, werewolves, fae, and other supernatural creatures in Louisiana. Based off the Sookie Stackhouse books, but sensationalized with the flare of HBO.

Vampire Diaries – Fantasy/Romance/Drama – CW – Season 5 starts October 10, 2013

Elana was a human who looks exactly like one of her ancestors, loved by both Salvador brothers (vampires). Now she is a vampire too. This show is full of vampires, werewolves, witches, romance, and drama.

Warehouse 13 – Scifi – Syfy – Season 4.5 aired summer 2013. A short season 5 is planned for 2014 to wrap up the series.

This show is about a group of secret agents who collect magical objects from all over the world and store them in a special government warehouse. The current warehouse if the 13th one. This series has stretches of wonderful episodes and then stretches of “artifact-of-the-day” episodes. I think more long-term plots would have helped it. A short season 5 in 2014 is rumored to be the last season.

***Please note that as television networks change their line-up, this information may become out of date.

 

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Upcoming Writing Contests and Conferences in and Around Arkansas

It’s that time of year – time to get your contest submissions ready for fall writing conferences! Here is a list of some upcoming conferences and contests in and around Arkansas (I’m listing them in order of contest submission deadline):

 

Arkansas SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) Retreat

This retreat is mainly for children’s book writers (picture book up through young adult books). There is usually an editor or an agent who critiques manuscripts (submitted in advance) and sometimes takes pitches. At some point in the weekend, the editor or agent usually speaks to the group, and there is usually at least one hands-on workshop. It is open to any children’s book writers (published or unpublished), but it costs more to attend if you are not a member of SCBWI.

Retreat Dates: October 18-20, 2013 – Fort Smith, Arkansas

Registration Deadline/Manuscript Submission Date: TBD (It will be posted on the website once the retreat opens for registration.)

Website: http://www.arkansasscbwi.org/retreat.html

Poets Roundtable of Arkansas (PRA) Fall Poetry Day Conference

This is the annual fall gathering of poets. There is usually either a speaker or a workshop. Often you can submit poems in advance for the speaker to critique. Non-member can attend. There is no charge for the conference, but there is a registration fee for the contests. Some of the contests are only open to PRA members, but contests 10-22 this year are open for entries from poets everywhere. Contests are listed on the website.

Conference Date: October 26, 2013 – Hot Springs, Arkansas

Postmark date for contest entries: August 15, 2013

Website: http://poetsroundtable.webs.com/contests

 

Ozark Creative Writers (OCW) Conference

This conference focuses on the various types of creative writing – everything from poetry and memoirs to genre fiction and song writing. There is usually at least one special speaker who speaks on various topics several times throughout the weekend. Typically they try to get an agent and/or and editor to speak and take pitches at the conference. Pitch sessions go fast, so sign up early. Hotel rooms in Eureka Springs also go fast in October, so book your room early, too. For the keynote sessions, they only have one speaker during that time slot, but they also have break-out sessions throughout the day where you can pick from two or three sessions and attend the one more relevant to you and your interests. Some of the sessions are workshops; some are not. You do have to register to attend the conference in order to enter the contests because the registration fee includes both. You can register after the contest entry date, but the registration fee goes up, and you can’t enter the contests after that date. They also have a book room where authors can sell their books.

Conference Date: October 10-12, 2013 – Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Postmark date for contest entries: August 31, 2013

Website: http://ozarkcreativewriters.com/

 

Ozarks Writers League (OWL) November Conference

This conference and its contests are only open to OWL members. A guest can attend the conference for $10, but cannot enter the contests. However, it is only $25 to become an OWL member for the year. Friday night is usually an awards dinner and Saturday is a speaker and/or workshop. They have tables where authors can sell their books. Contest details are on their website.

Conference Date: November 15-16, 2013 – Branson, Missouri

Postmark date for contest entries: September 1, 2013

Website: http://www.ozarkswritersleague.com/#!contests/coug

 

Maumelle Writers Conference

This will be the first year this conference has been held in a few year. The focus of this conference will be e-publishing. There are 5 contests associated with the conference and contest winners will be published in MauMag – The Maumelle Magazine.

Conference Date: November 2, 2013 – Maumelle, Arkansas

Postmark date for contest entries: September 7, 2013

Registration deadline: October 10, 2013 – You can register for the conference at the door, but lunch will not be included.

Website: http://www.maumellewritersconference.org/contests.htm

 

Missouri SCBWI Fall Conference

The Missouri branch of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will host this conference. It will focus on children’s books from picture books through young adult and illustration. They will have an agent, an editor, and an illustrator speaking and handling critiques. They are only taking the first 150 people who register. I think non-SCBWI members can attend, but it costs more.

Conference Date: November 2-3, 2013 – St Charles, Missouri

Submission deadline for manuscript critiques: September 20, 2013

Registration deadline: October 15, 2013

Website: http://www.moscbwi.org/Fall_Conference/Index.html

 

If you live in another part of the US, visit http://writing.shawguides.com/ for a list of conferences in your area.

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Social Media Tutorial 09 – How to Hide FaceBook Posts You Don’t Want to See

We all have them – people who are friends in real life, but who post the most annoying things on FaceBook. You can’t unfriend them without offending them, so you just put up with the endless posts about their activity on FaceBook games, politics, food, or whatever annoys you most. Well there is a solution without hurting anyone’s feelings. You simply hide their posts in your news feed. They will never know you don’t see every Candy Crush post, and you can breathe easier with your news feed a little cleaner.

How to Hide FaceBook Posts in Your News Feed via a Computer

Log into FaceBook, and click Home if you are not already on the page showing your news feed from your friends.
Find a post you do not want to see.
Hover your mouse over the top right corner of the post and select “Hide.”
Then you can select addition options such as: 1) Hide all posts by the app. 2) Change what types of posts you see from a person – unselect the types of posts you don’t want to see. 3) Select ”Organize who appears on your news feed” and add friends to your Acquaintance list so they appear in your news feed less often.
BONUS: If you keep getting game invites in your notification center, hover over the top right corner of the message in your notification center, close the X, and then select don’t notify me of THIS game. You’ll have to do it for each game, but eventually you will not receive any game notifications in your notification center!

How to Hide FaceBook Posts in Your News Feed via a Phone

I am using an iPhone for my example here, but I suspect the FaceBook app works in a similar fashion on other platforms.

I don’t recommend this method because you don’t get any options on what you want to hide. You have to trust that FaceBook can guess you only want to hide certain things or everything. It’s much better to use the computer to hide posts because you can specify exactly what you want to hide. However, if you don’t mind hiding everything someone posts, this option should work.

Log into the FaceBook app on your phone.
Go to your news feed.
Scroll down until you find a type of post that you don’t want to see. Tap the icon that looks like the head of a downward-pointing arrow. It should be at the top right of the annoying FaceBook post.
A box will pop up giving you several options. Select Hide. If you accidentally hide something, you can immediately select Unhide to undo it.

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The Value of Finding a Writing Group Where You Belong

Half of my writing group before the summer moves. They will all be famous authors some day. Watch out! :)

I think one of the on-going journeys in my life has been to find a place where I truly belong. Along the journey from the geeky girl with her nose in a book to the fledgling writer I am today, there have been a few times and places where I felt like I belonged, until someone died or moved away or changed. Most recently is my wonderful kidslit writing group.

I have been in some bad writing groups. Groups that didn’t understand my genre, or just didn’t “get” my writing. Judgmental groups. Groups where I didn’t belong.

But my current group has been the highlight of each month for the past year. They understand my writing, and even enjoy it. They are supportive, but not afraid to give constructive feedback. They are kind of like a little family.

Sadly, three of the members are moving away this summer. Those of us left, intend to keep to group together.

Anyway, this inspired my blog this week.

I think my writing has improved more in the past year than in a very long time. I credit a lot of that to my writing group.

It has taken me a very long time to find the right group for me, and I just wanted to say to all of the other aspiring writers out there, don’t give up. Someday, somewhere, you will find the right writing group for you. And run from the scary one really fast. Don’t let them drag you down. You will find a place you belong.

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