Sunday, January 31, 2010

Hanging Out With Writers That Write

Currently Reading - Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn

The February RWR aririved in Friday's mail. One little tidbit in an article caught my eye. Paraphrasing the tidbit--don't join a group because the time or place is convenient; join because the other members are serious about writing.

I think by serious the author meant, do the people you hang with have goals or do they treat get-togethers as a social hour?

I've learned the hard way the difference can make or break your own career.

Currently, I hang out with three fabulous ladies. (It'd be four if Faye would pack up and move her butt to Texas.) And while we had a marvelous martini lunch not long ago, that occsaion was the exception because we were celebrating Christie's completion of her tenth book to be published. In fact, I'm the only one in the group who isn't published in fiction, even though I write a column for a local law enforcement magazine.

And that's the point. Each woman's goal is not just to be published, but to have a career. Christie's the only one who's been able to give up the day job and write novels full time so far. But Teri, Jody and I are doggedly pursuing that same dream.

Having true comrades on that type of journey makes reaching that damn star seem possible.

7 comments:

  1. Good thing we don't have a day job. Those Chocolate Martinis were too good.

    And you are so right girl. Your circle of influance is a huge part of meeting your goals. If the people around you are meeting goals, you just feel stupid if you don't do it as well.

    CC

    CC

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  2. LOL No, I have a day job. It's lucky it was my day off.

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  3. Okay, I should have said, day jobs that didn't let us meet, eat and get merry.

    CC

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  4. Hey, Suzan,

    What's this? Lunching without me? Chocolate martinis? I suppose you guys were laughing, too!

    Seriously, though, I agree with CC. Having a positive circle of influence can make all the difference in your writing life!

    Faye

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  5. Geez, Faye, we called you to rub it in your face.

    Besides, what could be more inspirational than you and Teri imitating the BBC ghosthunters?

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  6. Okay, when you put it like that . . . LOL.

    BTW, did you hear that?

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  7. Hey, Faye, that's my line!

    As writers, we all have to go it alone so much of the time that it's great to get together with like-minded (sane or not) friends and fellow writers. I'm proud to be included in this bunch.

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