June will mark the month I began my writing journey four years ago. I had a pipe-dream about writing a novel and wanted to learn how to go about it, so I joined a writing site. Actually, I've joined many over the years, but I was lucky enough to find one site and one writing group that is really, really special...
- There are nine of us -- seven women and two men.
- We live all over the globe, from New Zealand and Australia, to the Middle East, to the Midwest and Western U.S.
- Three have already published books with indie presses or epubbers.
- Two others now have agents and/or book contracts and will publish this year.
- One always makes the first cut of ABNA and once even made it to the semi-finals!
- It's an eclectic bunch: professors, teachers, managers, IT specialists, and stay-at-home moms. Because of their varied life experiences, each one brings his/her own critiquing abilities to the group, ensuring that our manuscripts get feedback on all different levels.
- Each one is a super-talented writer who's not afraid of criticism and works hard to improve their craft.
And most important, we support each other. We help brainstorm new ideas, offer advice during writer's block, and commiserate over rejections. We offer cheerful support during frustrating times and joyous celebration when things go right. We lean on each other and each of us is stronger for it.
To my wonderful CPs -- Bill, Breanna, Cynthia, Dave, Kate, Kim, Lori, and Tania --
You've enriched my life in ways I never expected and made my writing journey so much easier and more worthwhile. Meeting and working with you has been the very best part of my writing journey. I'm grateful every day for your friendship and support.
Thank you.
This post is part of VikLit's blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is follow the link and put your name on the Mr.Linky list, and then be sure to post every Friday about something you're grateful for that week. It can be about writing or family or school or general life. This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever!
53 comments:
It's wonderful that you've found such a supportive group of people to share your writing journey with!
What a great thing to celebrate! :)
Aww.... Thanks, Lexa! I feel so privileged to be a part of that group and to get to read everyone's stuff before it goes out into the world. Not to mention how critical your input is to my own books! I couldn't do it without you. Nor would I want to.
Sounds like a great group! I don't know what I'd do without my little circle of writer friends either! It took me 4 years to land a publisher, so you hang in there because your ship is ready to board! :)
I love hearing about great writing groups! Sounds like you have an awesome one!!
Sounds like you've got a great support network :)
Sounds like a wonderful group and a great thing to celebrate!
What a wonderful post, and I feel very special now...thanks Lexa:) I sure wouldn't be where I am today without the help of our critique group:)
Oh you lucky lady! I began my writing journey 3 years ago in October, via webook.com. Then I stepped up from poetry and into stories. One became the three book series I'm now immersed in. Who knew? :) I've made a few great friends and learned so much from the online writing community - I can't imagine how I'd have progressed without it. Well, I wouldn't have. I know that. Great reason to celebrate (couldn't get my celebration post up this week! I may be in trouble!! Eek! ) X
Shah
http://shahwharton.com X
CPs are the best! Mine is so supportive and helpful, and I'm forever grateful that my transition from novels to comics didn't phase her. So glad to see you have not just one, but a whole group of wonderful CPs! :)
You are blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group...
Writer In Transit
It's always good to have a great critique group. Congrats on finding one that works for you. So glad you have. I have a great CP partner too.
You have an awesome group there! My critique partners are great and I wouldn't trade them for anything either.
CP's are the best, though your group pretty much rules them all, Lexa (yes, I'm biased). Even as I move into new genres and markets, I still always need and want that one place that made it all possible. Without their knowledge and encouragement and honest words...
You sound like you have a really great group of CP's and lifelong friends there. Such a lucky thing indeed!
This is a lovely post to say thank to the people helping you through. You're very lucky to have a nice group full of support.
Sounds like you have a great bunch of people supporting you. Friendship is always worth celebrating.
"It takes a village." What we we all do without the support of others!
It's difficult finding CPs who are long term, and supportive, and most of all still remain friends after all these years. Sounds like you have a wonderful group, and that is Priceless! :)
Aw, that made me get a little misty. :) Thanks Lexa. As you know (seriously) I consider it a privilege to read your stuff before anyone else can (goes for everyone else in the group, too). Critique is just what I do to earn my keep. It's so fun watching people I've written with succeed!
Lex, what a fantastic post! This really lifted my spirits. Well done to all of you both individually and as a group. Seriously, this makes me feel so good! Thank you for sharing it.
That's awesome, Lexa. What a wonderful, successful group y'all are! :-)
Some Dark Romantic
I wish I had a steady CP. :(.
Sounds like a great group of writers :)
CPs are the best! It's so awesome to find good ones, and not just cuz they're good at editing, but cuz you get along and can enjoy each other's work. SO important.
You're lucky to have so many good ones!
It's occurred to me, reading this, that a CP or writing group would be infinitely helpful for me. But I have no idea where to start in finding a group and I'm just so paranoid to trust my intellectual property with a total stranger...
Yay for CP's. They are SO important on this journey!
I'm just checking something
Arg, okay, looks like my first comment didn't make it through. It went something like this: You all are very fortunate to have found each other, and it sounds like you already know that. :)
My first comment didn't go through either. It's a firefox thing. :(
I agree, you are so fortunate to have found a great writing support group.
Wow, what a sweet tribute to your critique group. You're so very lucky to have established such a great group. Good critique peeps are true gems. Once you've found them, never let go.
Every writer in the world will totally get this post. Critique groups and partners are wonderful and awesome. I would be lost without mine, too.
Happy Weekend!
Now that's a nice celebration! It's always good to celebrate our fellow writers, Lexa. I'm glad you found such an amazing writing group!
A supportive and successful writing group is something to cherish. I'm happy for you.
Thanks, Lex!!! I've enjoyed working with you over the years too. Your feedback has been so valuable, and your work is a pleasure to read. You deserve all of your success!
Well, this is just awesome! Thanks for such an uplifting post today.
To have encouragement and support is a great gift and meant to be celebrated!
How awesome that you have such a great writing group! They certainly deserve to be celebrated :)
What a lovely thing to celebrate. If there is anything we writers require, it's a hardcore support team we can count on! Have I mentioned I absolutely love your blog graphic. It's beautiful and enchanting!
Brandy's Bustlings
Your writing groups sounds wonderful. It is so important to have people to share ideas with and get advice from. Yeah to you and your group! A lovely post. :)
-Jess
Hi Lexa: That is awesome that you've found an international writer's group. How does it work. Do you email each other your projects and critique? Do you get together for video chats? What a great idea!
Sally Bosco
What a great writing group! Good for you. It's a dream come true to find a group that has the same passions and drives as you. Writer’s Mark
It's so brilliant to find a great writing group. I'm lucky enough to be a member of two; a local one where we meet face-to-face, and an online one. Both are made up of some very talented writers and some very helpful beta readers too! Worth their weight in gold.
it's not always a good fit so if you have such an amazing group, this group of CPs are really to be celebrated!
Hey Lexa,
Do I get bonus points for commenting at three thirty in the morning? Pretty please! :)
What's this? You dream about pipes? Seriously, yes, well almost seriously, this posting is true demonstration of a bunch of folks sharing and supporting each other through such a marvellous group. I like that. A celebration party is needed. Oops, was this a blog hop of some sort? Yikes! LOL
Gary :)
Now that is something to celebrate! CP's can make all the difference - even when they are world's away! I love how your group is so spread out and dynamic!
Cheers to you and your fantastic writerly friends!
Wonderful, inspiring post Lexa. Where would writers be without their CPs. I value mine highly. Who else can understand us?
Writing groups are such an important part of our journey!
CPs are amazing! Sounds like you have a great group.
That kind of support is priceless!
CPs are a great cause of celebration = this sounds like a great group!
Great post! I'm sure your group appreciate the shout out, and appreciate everything you do for them too :-)
Aw, what a great post! Your insight is invaluable :)
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