Celebrating Between Bookends and Beyond
A
quote taped to my writing space tutors me to: "Figure out how you are going
to make writing a permanent part of your life." This, of course, means for writers to write
consistently. But being part of a
writing community (or several) adds another layer to writing life. And makes me squeal with glee.
The
actuality of local writers getting published, and hob-knobbing with
and befriending them, is surreal. I
wished for the above collection of works by people I know. Now that it's materialized, I'm elated
entering publication with them.
Goose
pimples pop everytime a writer friend or acquaintance mentions their work is
being published or considered for publication.
I cheer, and can't wait to add their new work to my growing
collection. I'm liable to do a jig and
have been known to air pump after hearing a fellow writer got the attention of
an agent.
Then,
the goose bumps crowded so close together that I nearly went into shock. The Burlington County Times sent a
photographer to my home and did a photo shoot of me and other writers (Marie
Gilbert, Joanne Costantino, Amy Hollinger and Jennifer M. Eaton) for the March 1,
2014 AAUW's Medford Branch champagne brunch, where we spoke about writing to
benefit their scholarship program.
Writing became a part of my life on a new level now, with my home as background in the newspaper pictures. In one shot a ceramic knick-knack my daughter made accented our old coffee table along with the heart-shaped candy dish my sister-in-law had made for my wedding shower, and a party favor from my youngest daughter's wedding shower.
Writing became a part of my life on a new level now, with my home as background in the newspaper pictures. In one shot a ceramic knick-knack my daughter made accented our old coffee table along with the heart-shaped candy dish my sister-in-law had made for my wedding shower, and a party favor from my youngest daughter's wedding shower.
Sometimes
the only thing I have in common with local writers I've met, besides honoring
the written word, is that our efforts often receive scant reward. John Farquhar had forty-five of us laughing
at the South Jersey Writers' Group's February meeting when he explained how
excited he was to take on screenwriting again and make less money than he does
now as a novelist and short story writer.
Why is it so much fun celebrating the underdog?
It's
thrilling entertaining writers in my no frills home. Boy, do I feel highbrow. The Inklings come to mind. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien eat your hearts
out because woman writers are also welcome in literary circles now.
E-books
be damned for us luddites, who submit online in the cloak of night. I can't display between my bookends the
anthology, "Strange New World" that includes Glenn Walker's short
story which I remember coming through my critique session.
Looking
forward to reading L.D. Davis' steamy romance "Accidentally On
Purpose" that I just ordered. I'm
also hoping Krista Magrowski will sign her short story in my copy of "We Walk
Invisible" when it arrives. Sadly,
the February issue of Cricket Magazine, with Victoria Marie Lee's short story I
critiqued before publication, still eludes me.
Sorry
to Juliette Haynes ("Tastes Too Good to be Healthy Cookbook") and
Janice Wilson (Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You"). Each of your books are on loan to
family. And Marie Gilbert, get your
trilogy out soon because I can't display in front of my living room lamp all
the online interviews, articles, stories, blogposts and reviews you've done.
The
tingling energy of kindred spirits is intoxicatingly fun. It's something you can't buy, like the
written word, but can still bring into your home!
If I've forgotten anyone, please blast me in a comment below.
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