Authors I Have Known

During the moments when I review books I have read, or post something on the many Facebook pages I moderate about books, I often think about the wonderful authors I have known. Actually known in person or known on line. Several, I hope, will be known to you as well. Of course, in writing circles I hang out with Romance writers, so that’s my tribe and the people I know best.

Pitch Wars and #PitMad

Approaching the world of being a published author can be scary and make you think you should give up on the whole idea. That’s not what you should do at all. What you need is a mentor. Someone to listen to your story idea, guide you to write it like a pro, send out queries, send out submissions, and celebrate with you when you sign that contract. I know writers who made it into traditional publishing through Pitch Wars. But now that option is gone.

Make Your Own Soulmate

This topic might be more appropriate to February and Valentine’s Day, but it came up as a line in a book on CD. And it made me think. I’m thinking about it now so here goes. When I was single, and starting New Thought mind work, the saying was that people prayed for Princes, Palaces, and Parking Spaces. I focused on the Prince.

Writing is a Group Activity

I know some people who would disagree with this title. They prefer to write alone and in a quiet environment. Maybe with head phones or other isolating technology. But then again, what good is writing over a thousand words a day if you have no one to share that with?

One of many help blogs available

Writers Need Reviews

Dear Friends and Fans,

I hope this blog post finds you well. May I ask if you have read any books lately? If you have, did you post a review telling the world that you enjoyed the book? If so, then you have contributed to the rescue of a starving author. We all appreciate you for doing that.

Health with Help

Next month, I may join WW (Weight Watcher) with some friends. A friend asked if I wanted to try it with her on Tuesdays after our walk. At first, I was totally against it. I hate the whole weigh-in thing. Then another friend had a coupon. Sounding better. I mentioned it to my writing friends and they confessed to wanting to try it. We are all (minus one) dealing with our weight at various ages. Then my original suggester told me how much she has going on this month, so we are doing it in March.

Intimate Meetings

In the past, my local chapter of Romance Writers of America’s meetings were attended by enough members to fill six round tables, which is about 48 people. This last Saturday, I walked into the meeting room and could not believe there were only three tables. As ripples spread out from the major implosion of the national organization, people have made up their minds to shed all connections to RWA.

The Critique Chorus

When I was a kid and I had to decide between doing the right thing and something I wanted to do, I would hear my mother’s voice or my priest’s sermons. This didn’t always change my actions but their words did make it clear to me that there would be consequences. Oh boy, would there be consequences.

Putting NaNoWriMo Behind Me

I love National Novel Writing Month. If not for that organization, I would not have found my writing group which is also my critique group. And my lunch group. And my gift exchange group. We have turned into a family of sorts because we understand each other and the need to create. And the need to be supported and have encouragement when we plunge into self-doubt.

Mentoring

There are times when one steps outside one’s door, expecting to go down the street to the park. But something distracts you turn right and end up at the fire station. Such is the path of this blog post. I wanted to get more input on Romance Writers of America’s new Mentoring program. But searching for Mentoring brought me to a blog called All the Kissing. The particular post I landed on was written almost two years ago. But it is so perfect for this topic. I might as well stop typing and let you go read that!