The Angels Among Us by Margo Hoornstra

Last time I wrote on these pages my topic was the Retreat From Harsh Reality sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

You all know the drill, a complete weekend devoted to our craft, or profession if one is so inclined. Three days to talk, listen, learn, try, work, share, brainstorm, implement, test, use, figure, discard, re-group. Even vent if need be.

This year was particularly special for me because I was the lucky recipient of the MMRWA Angel Award. To quote from the MMRWA website: The Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America introduced the MMRWA Angel Award for Service in 2002. The award is presented once a year at our chapter’s retreat. It is awarded to one outstanding member who goes beyond the “call of duty” within the romance writing community and service to our chapter. 

In January and February, nominations may be made by members in good standing with RWA and MMRWA. In March, the current MMRWA Board will meet with all previous Angel Award recipients to review nominations. The group then votes to determine who will receive the Angel Award. 

The decision is kept a secret until retreat. The recipient is announced by the winner from the previous year and presented with a custom designed, beautifully crafted Angel pin and a framed award certificate. 

This is a picture of mine.

Receiving this award was a great honor. Especially because of one of my 'accomplishments' as noted in the presentation. And I quote: Our Angel this year is kind, strong and supportive. She encourages new writers and she listens--really listens--and has been a mentor to other writers.

High praise indeed, IMHO. Not that I thought I'd done anything particularly special. It's what we as writers do. We support our own. Novice or veteran, published or soon to be.

Don't get me wrong, awards and good reviews are great recognition for what we've written and offered to the world, and may there be many of those accolades for all of us in this business. However, I don't know about you, but the highest praise for me is hearing someone say such things as: "Your critique of my work was awesome." or "Your suggestions really helped me see where I need to go." and "Thank you for helping me improve my book."

****pause here for a heavy sigh****

Music to my ears.

Whether you work regularly with a partner (CP) as I've been fortunate to do. (Three, or is it four years and counting. Can you believe it, Jannine?) Or provide and/or receive input from a fellow author, doesn't matter. Again, IMHO, the feeling is the same.

So, in that spirit of author cooperation, do I have a deal for you. Let me be the first, on these pages at least, to introduce a box set I've been privileged to create with six of my colleagues.

All In For Love - A Lucky 7 Anthology.

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We are now available for pre-order right here: All In For Love - A Lucky 7 Anthology

Please join us and enjoy!

My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and the stories I write, please visit my WEBSITE

A Retreat From Harsh Reality, Re-visited by Margo Hoornstra

As you read this, I’m fully immersed in all things writing related, and have been since early Friday. Later this afternoon, I’ll arrive home revitalized and inspired fresh off the Retreat From Harsh Reality week-end put on by my own Romance Writers of America® Chapter, Mid-Michigan.

A complete week-end devoted to our craft, or profession if one is so inclined. To talk, listen, learn, try, work, share, brainstorm, implement, test, use, figure, discard, re-group. Even vent if need be.

We all need a Retreat From Harsh Reality now and then. Thirty some years ago, Leila Davis, a fellow member in MMRWA uttered those very words to me. I happened to be President of the chapter at that time, as I am again this year.

A few months later, our chapter had one scheduled. Our first Retreat From Harsh Reality was a bring your own sheets, blankets and towels, pack your own food or call for pizza delivery affair held in one of the vacant for the summer dormitories at a nearby university.

Over the years, the get together evolved to become more formalized. A block of hotel rooms with all the amenities was rented, meals were provided on site. Speakers were brought in to make presentations all day Saturday and half the day Sunday. The time to simply immerse ourselves in all things writing such as working on our own manuscripts, brainstorming plots and events, critiquing ours and others’ works in progress, somehow went by the wayside.

We became so focused on filling the allotted time with activities at the event itself, we lost sight of its original purpose. Finally, a few years ago, we came to realize what had happened and, thankfully, took corrective measures.

We still have a speaker, but on a limited basis here and there for only a few hours total all week end. The rest of the time is devoted to writing. No talking please quiet rooms are available for personal writing time and nothing else. Other areas are set up for get togethers to share.

A complete week-end devoted to our craft, or profession if one is so inclined. To talk, listen, learn, try, work, share, brainstorm, implement, test, use, figure, discard, re-group. Even vent if need be.

So what about you? Any Retreats, Conferences, Get Togethers in your future? Maybe next year you can come to ours.

My days to blog here are the 11^th and 23^rd. For more about me and the stories I write, please visit my website