IWSG: Under the Influence . . . of a Great Mentor
Our topic for February is: “Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn’t around anymore? Anyone you miss?”
After being in the writing biz for almost 35 years (!), I owe a lot of people a lot of things, especially the members of my critique group who’ve always encouraged, inspired, and sometimes kicked my butt when I needed it. But I never would have met any of them if not for one special person, someone who saw an article in our local paper in July of 1987 about a romance writer working at home with two preschoolers underfoot.
When she invited me to be a speaker at a local Romance Writers of America meeting, I had never met another writer, had never shared my work with someone. Orysia Earhart introduced me to My People! More than that, she became critiquer, idea sounding board, as well as chauffeur, dragging me all over the state to writing events and book signings (me, the confirmed hermit!). She introduced me to the core group that would become my PoTL critique group. And then . . . she moved. Not just across the state, but across the country! To Seattle for her husband’s job! This was long before online chats or Zoom or any kind of social media at all. There was email (in its infant stage) and long-distance calls that became fewer and farther between. Until there was just silence. I continued as a writer, growing from those baby steps she pushed me to make. She’d stopped. And we lost touch.
You never forget that first kindred soul who “gets you.” But sometimes you forget how important an influence they had on your life. Thanks, IWSG for reminding me! And thanks OBEwan, for being there when I needed that push!
Because my writer friends taught me how to be pushy when it comes to my work (normally, I prefer to hide in my office getting lost in my current chapter), I’ll toot my own horn about a February sale (and a great belated Valentine’s Day gift for the romantic in your life!) . . .
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo BooksPublished: September 30, 2014Length: 178 PagesAdd to Goodreads TBR→
Now, I’m off to enjoy your answers . . . Happy Writing!!
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.The awesome co-hosts for the February 2nd posting of the IWSG will be Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Click Here →
To join the IWSG Blog Hop and view the List of Hop Participants!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads | AmazonGoodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group
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After being in the writing biz for almost 35 years (!), I owe a lot of people a lot of things, especially the members of my critique group who’ve always encouraged, inspired, and sometimes kicked my butt when I needed it. But I never would have met any of them if not for one special person, someone who saw an article in our local paper in July of 1987 about a romance writer working at home with two preschoolers underfoot.
When she invited me to be a speaker at a local Romance Writers of America meeting, I had never met another writer, had never shared my work with someone. Orysia Earhart introduced me to My People! More than that, she became critiquer, idea sounding board, as well as chauffeur, dragging me all over the state to writing events and book signings (me, the confirmed hermit!). She introduced me to the core group that would become my PoTL critique group. And then . . . she moved. Not just across the state, but across the country! To Seattle for her husband’s job! This was long before online chats or Zoom or any kind of social media at all. There was email (in its infant stage) and long-distance calls that became fewer and farther between. Until there was just silence. I continued as a writer, growing from those baby steps she pushed me to make. She’d stopped. And we lost touch.
You never forget that first kindred soul who “gets you.” But sometimes you forget how important an influence they had on your life. Thanks, IWSG for reminding me! And thanks OBEwan, for being there when I needed that push!
Because my writer friends taught me how to be pushy when it comes to my work (normally, I prefer to hide in my office getting lost in my current chapter), I’ll toot my own horn about a February sale (and a great belated Valentine’s Day gift for the romantic in your life!) . . .
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo BooksPublished: September 30, 2014Length: 178 PagesAdd to Goodreads TBR→
Now, I’m off to enjoy your answers . . . Happy Writing!!
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.The awesome co-hosts for the February 2nd posting of the IWSG will be Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Click Here →
To join the IWSG Blog Hop and view the List of Hop Participants!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads | AmazonGoodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://nancygideon.blogspot.com//pla...
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