Your writing posse

I'm scheduling this post because on my regular post day I'll be out of town, helping out a friend after surgery (that's the plan -- here's hoping all goes as planned!)

She's a writing person, someone I met through the RWA chapter I belonged to at one time (I still do, but I'm long-distance now). Kathy and I have known each other for about 10 or 12 years, and she was with me when I was trying to get published, with me as I've been published, and has helped me brainstorm books, critiqued plots, and commiserated with me when sales slumped. She's been my Beta Reader and critique partner for all those years, and she's been invaluable in helping me learn my craft.

There's something special about your writing posse. These are the people who Get It. They know what drives you, and they understand your frustrations and your ire and your envy and your concerns. They also know why you write because it's why they write, too.

I have Groups of friends who seldom intersect. There's the Gardening Group, the Work Folks, the Writing Posse, the High School Friends. My friendships are like a big Venn diagram without any intersections, and I don't mind that at all. It's awesome to hang out with a bunch of gardening folks and slip into that mode, or a bunch of writing people and talk shop. They all nurture a facet of Me (I make myself sound like a multi-personality crazy person, and maybe that's not too far wrong).

But I have to say there's something special about the Writing Posse. I'm invigorated by them in a way that really keeps me going. So cherish your writing peeps and nurture them, too. They'll keep you going during the Bad Times and help you celebrate during the Good Ones.

Send positive healing thoughts our way so Kathy can get back to the keyboard fast--we have books to brainstorm and write!


J L
(jayellwilson.com)