Writing Friends
I still remember the day, fourteen years ago, that my non-writing friend found out I had written a romance. She told me there was a group called Romance Writers of America. I didn’t own a computer, so I started making phone calls. It took me a while to find a number for the Sacramento Chapter, but when I called, Patti Berg answered all of my questions. She had just published her first novel and she was sooo nice to talk to and so encouraging. And that’s exactly what I’ve experienced since joining RWA--other writers who are encouraging, supportive and most of all, understanding. Because who else but a writer understands us? We have character’s voices talking to us. We see a news story and instantly have a new idea for a novel. We can’t watch movies without dissecting scenes and dialogue. We’re not like everyone else. My first chapter meeting was no less than thrilling. At that first meeting I met Susan Grant. We were both unpublished and we were both writing paranormals. We ended up critiquing together for years. I also critiqued with Susan Crosby, Caroline Fyffe and Brenda Novak. I learned a lot. Then I started finaling in contests and attending conferences, and every year I meet more wonderful writers. I have yet to meet a writer, best-selling or otherwise, who isn’t willing to share a bit of wisdom picked up along the way. How about you? How did you find out about RWA? Who was the first writer/author you met? How did it feel to attend your first chapter meeting and/or RWA conference? Did anyone take you under their wing and show you the way?
posted by Theresa Ragan @ 3:23 AM
18 Comments:
I think it was someone in my writing critique group who recommended our local RWA chapter. At the time, I had no clue I was writing a romance -- I thought I was writing a mystery. And I didn't read romance. But they told me there were other benefits to hooking up with writers, so I went to a meeting and was totally clueless at all the fuss when two members arrived. Turned out Roxanne St. Claire and Kresley Cole had just had their first books released and everyone was in a celebratory mood.
Despite my cluelessness, I was definitely made to feel welcome, and wrote my check for dues that same day.
And I totally agree with you about how willing everyone was about sharing and answering questions. It's a crazy business and we all need the support of those who are in it with us.
I met my present CP through the Avon FanLit event and she is the one who lead me to RWA and enabled me to contact my local chapter - Southern Magic. My first meeting was eye-opening! It was just so good to meet people who get completely what this writing obsession means to me.
My first conference was last year's RWA and it was so inspiring. For an entire week I was a real writer and it made me hungry for more weeks and months like that.
My two mentors are Diane Gaston and Anna Campbell and I have been SO lucky to meet them and have them there to help me along the way. I would be nowhere on this journey without them. And I have to say that the Wet Noodle Posse has been a Godsend to this clueless writer who had no idea where to begin three years ago! Thank you, ladies!
Wow, Louisa, only three short years ago and look at you now! You're finaling in all of the contests and you'll be published in the blink of an eye! And what amazing mentors you have! The best!!!
Terry, yeah who knew?! So, I'm assuming that your mystery did have romance in it? Or did you have to add some after you joined? :)
A friend suggested I write a romance, and once Diane Gaston/Perkins found out, she gave me the nudge, along with Elizabeth Rolls. Both wonderful women. I attended my first meeting and immediately felt like I belonged but funnily enough didn't join until six months later, after I finished my first manuscript. Desert Rose meets once a month, and I always look forward to the occasion and lament when I have to miss. It's one of the few places I don't feel like I have to watch what I say. There's nothing quite like the odd glance when you mumble that so-and-so keeps hogging the story, so you're giving them their own story, then maybe they'll leave you alone. :-)
Theresa: My daughters were reading the manuscript and they said, "Mom, it's a Romance. And they quoted this paragrpah: Sarah swallowed a bit of the sweet muffin. Suddenly ravenous, she relished the rest of it. She looked up into those deep brown eyes again, glimpsing flecks of hazel this time.
They said the 'flecks of hazel' were a dead giveaway that it was a romance. Funny, but one reviewer for Orlando magazine picked up on that same phrase in his review.
Terry, that is hilarious...and what a coincidence that the magazine picked up on the same line!!!?!
Judy, I wonder why it took you six months!? Glad you finally joined though. And yes, no one gets a writer like another writer!
The first writers I met at my local RWA chapter became critique partners. What I remember most about my first conference, M&M, was that I wanted to go to just about every session. I remember everyone being so nice and helpful and feeling like I belonged. Oddly enough, I found my local chapter through a writer's digest book Romance Writer's Sourcebook after I'd written a 600 page historical romance!
I started writing before ever hearing of RWA, but I'd come across the information that a romance author lived in the same suburb where I live and I emailed her. She invited me to a booksigning at the local used book store - Janet Evanovich was signing. That meant nothing to me at the time, but I went to meet the authors and met Laura, who encouraged me to come to a Washington Romance Writers meeting.
I did! I still remember Kathy Seidel spoke about celebrations at the end of Jane Austen's books. It was perfect for me; just the right amount about writing and intellectual discussion. The next meeting I dragged my writing friends Julie and Helen with me. We all joined and attended our first WRW Retreat. We were in heaven!!!
Diane, fun story. You didn't know about RWA, but you had writing friends (Julie and Helen)! Where did you find writing friends?
Theresa,
Julie and I met in a Creative Writing class at our local community college (how I started writing)and after the class ended she and a couple of talented young things and I started a critique group (weren't we clever!)but the young things didn't stick and a friend - Helen - whose husband worked with my husband, joined. Then we heard about RWA and WRW. Helen, Julie and I still critique together, with another friend, Virginia, who also worked with my husband.
Wow, Diane...that's a lot of writers in your little circle, don't you think?! And you all stayed together. Awesome. And yes, very clever of all of you to form a critique group!! Thanks for sharing!
Tomorrow I talk about my other critique group, Sisters of the Moon.
I can't wait, Diane. I'll be there. You have two critique groups?! You can explain tomorrow on your blog. :)
Why I took so long to join Desert Rose: I was struggling with the idea that I really was a writer. Why pay to join RWA and DR when I wasn't a "real" writer? It was visiting blogs like this one that I finally clued in that being a writer isn't what you do, it's what you are. I'm still struggling with the idea, but the meetings and places like this help. :-)
Judy...you deserve a "wet noodle" slap! Of course you are a REAL writer. I've read what you write. You are a REAL writer.
It was visiting blogs like this one that I finally clued in that being a writer isn't what you do, it's what you are.Ahh, that's great Judy. Yes, you are a REAL writer! So glad you've seen the light!
:-D Okay, Diane, I'll consider myself slapped. Me too, Theresa. :-)
I found RWA in the back of a book at the Barnes & Noble. LOL
I had no idea what that was...
~C
Fun post!
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