My Scribe Tribe

Earlier this month, I took part in a non-fiction children’s writing retreat at The Writing Barn in Austin, Texas. Now, I wasn’t originally scheduled to go. In fact, I sort of weaseled my way into this small group of very talented, well-published, amazing group of writers from all over the country. My dear friend Wendy Lanier had mentioned she was going one day while we were chatting on the phone, and I begged her, “Can you get me in?”

Would this group of non-fiction children’s book writers accept me?

Wendy couldn’t promise me a spot, but she did promise to ask Author Pat Miller, who was running the retreat, if I could come. While they were only supposed to have 10 participants, and all 10 slots were already full, Pat made an exception and welcomed me to this exclusive group.

As time drew near for the retreat, I grew more nervous. Would this group of non-fiction children’s book writers accept me? After all, most of my books fall into the children’s fiction category, and most of my books are in the Christian market. And, after studying each writer’s biography, I learned that almost every one of them published exclusively in the secular market.

I was worried.

Then I received an email from the group, asking each of us to submit a manuscript to be critiqued by all. I panicked. Then I called Wendy.

“I can’t submit a manuscript,” I shared. “I only have a couple of things in the works right now…and they are board books! Are board books even allowed?” Wendy assured me a board book manuscript would be just fine. Still, I worried.

A few weeks later, I received an email from the group with our cooking and cleanup assignments. I panicked once again as I read over the extensive menu. Then I called Wendy.

“I can’t cook!” I whined. “Did you tell them I can’t cook? I only make crockpot soup…and the occasional meatloaf. I’m not a good cook. What am I going to do?”

“You’ll be fine,” Wendy assured. “It’s all going to be Ok.”

But, the more I thought about the writing retreat, the more I worried. By the end of that week, I had almost talked myself out of going. I had great excuses, too. I could justify backing out, yet some small part of me still wanted to participate, even though it was WAY out of my comfort zone. So, I put on my big girl britches and determined I would go.

A few short weeks later, I was on an airplane bound for Texas.

I found my tribe. My scribe tribe.

When Wendy and I arrived at The Writing Barn, we expected to be sharing a bedroom and a bathroom, but since I was a last-minute addition increasing the group to 11, housing was a challenge. The only place available for me to sleep was in an open loft, on a futon, above the main room where we held all of our sessions. It certainly wasn’t ideal. And my first instinct was to call an Uber and head back to town in search of a nearby hotel. However, as I processed the situation, Wendy suggested we go over to the other cabin where everyone else who had already arrived happened to be.

“No, you go ahead,” I said. “I need a minute.” But as she started to leave, I felt that inward nudging to join her. So, I did.

Best decision ever.

As I sheepishly joined the other writers, they immediately welcomed me. I soon learned that I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know everyone. In fact, almost every writer there was just like me—new to this particular group.

Though we all started as strangers, we became fast friends. Our group, made up of writers from New York, Ohio, Iowa, California, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, and Colorado, certainly proved to be a diverse gathering of literary minds. Different ages. Different backgrounds. Different faiths. Different styles of writing. Just different.

But those differences enriched our group. From the very first discussion, it was obvious God had put our little literary family together. Over the course of the next three and a half days, I learned more than I’d ever learned in such a short time, and I laughed harder than I had laughed in years.

I found my tribe. My scribe tribe.

And, I’ve never been so thankful that I had pushed past my fears and stepped out of my comfort zone. Because if I had missed out on this opportunity, I would’ve missed a door that was divinely opened for me.

Our little literary family is already planning next year’s retreat, and we have scheduled monthly Zoom calls to stay connected and encourage one another on this writing journey.

Writing can be a lonely path at times, which is why I am so grateful to have these ten amazing women walking with me.

I found my place.

I found my family.

I found yet another reason to write.

***

Are you allowing your fears and worries to keep you from God’s best in your life? Are you a little too comfy in your comfort zone? Why not step out of that zone today and through the door God has divinely opened for you?

Don't let your fears keep you from God's best in your life! #faithingod #INwritergirl
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