Writers are Unique

Posted by Judith Keim | 10:03 AM | 11 comments »

Hi! I’m a new member of the group and am delighted to be among such talented women who are going places in the publishing world. I like the idea that we all write something a little different and can, thereby, add our own texture to the tapestry being woven by us.

My invitation, through the kindness of Pam Varnado and Mary Marvella and the others in the group, has made me realize once again how unique writers are. Pam, Mary and I are all members of Georgia Romance Writers. I moved to Florida in April. Still…we’ve kept a unique connection because we’re writers striving for the same thing. And in Florida, I became a member of the Spacecoast STARs, another RWA group whose members support and encourage each other, and met Cyndi from Alabama Arkansas.

It is this generous spirit of reaching out, helping others, encouraging others that makes writers, as a group, so unusual. Writing with an eye to publishing is a horrible business. Most writers will readily admit it. In what other field would a person work diligently to create a “word baby” so that she can be told how ugly that baby is? And, yet, it happens to us all. And most of us go on to thank the viewer for pointing out every little flaw.

Yes, we writers are a unique group. Think about it. We sit alone, work alone, come out of our caves to socialize with each other occasionally and yet there is a sense of team, of being a part of a special group that can’t be found anywhere else. And though we technically compete against each other, there is a sense of accomplishment in learning of someone else’s success, even though we might wishfully be thinking, “next time, let it be me.”

I’d love to hear about some of your experiences—good and bad.

11 comments

  1. Pamela Varnado // February 27, 2009 at 11:20 AM  

    Judy,
    Welcome to our blog. I look forward to reading all your insightful thoughts. You're right, writers are unique. Through the bonding of shared dreams and hopes we've found a common ground that's almost shatterproof--even under the strain of competition.

    My critique partners are my anchor in my crazy world of oh-I-want-to-get-published-so-bad. An encouraging word from them lifts me up each time a rejection comes in the mail. Thanks ladies.

  2. Mary Ricksen // February 27, 2009 at 11:34 AM  

    Hi Judy, nice to meet you! Unique yes, and sometimes downright crazy.
    We spent hours on the computer doing promotion, writing, connecting through blogs, and then we have our regular jobs and lives to deal with. Holding that book in your hands and wondering what people think, yet still not always knowing if anyone likes it, is rough. But we still keep on going. Amazing aren't we?

  3. Nightingale // February 27, 2009 at 1:57 PM  

    Welcome. Really good opening post. Yes, we are a breed apart. Much of what you said resonated with me. The working alone and crawling out to socialize particularly. Writing is a solitary pursuit but I've made some of my best friends through writing.

  4. Judith Keim // February 27, 2009 at 3:15 PM  

    Thanks for the comments! And Cyndi, sorry for placing you in Alabama!! LOL

  5. Judith Keim // February 27, 2009 at 3:15 PM  

    Thanks for the comments! And Cyndi, sorry for placing you in Alabama!! LOL

  6. Mary Marvella // February 27, 2009 at 3:19 PM  

    Good job, Judy! You are do right! We push our babies out for people to read and it hurts when folks reject them. That applies to editors, agents, and critique partners.

    At least our critique partners love us, even when they say our babies are ugly and we dress them funny, too.

    I'm glad you are here. We have an interesting mix here and you should fit in quite well. (That's a good thing, really.)

  7. Scarlet Pumpernickel // February 27, 2009 at 5:03 PM  

    Judy,
    Welcome! We are pleased to have you join our group. As you mentioned we are a varied lot and each members has strong points to offer the group as a whole. Our connections are varied, but one thread runs through all, friendship. Old, new or budding, friendship is the bond that keeps us together. So welcome, we look forward to building our friendship link with you!

    Scarlet Pumpernickel

  8. Anonymous // February 27, 2009 at 9:27 PM  

    I'm glad to have you here, Judy!

    And AR v AL... have seen some heck of good football and basketball games! LOL

  9. Edie Ramer // February 27, 2009 at 9:35 PM  

    Hi Judy! I'm a once-a-month-blogger. Maybe that makes me a pick fuzzy little toe cover instead of a slipper.

    I live in southeastern Wisconsin. I'm lucky to have met Cyndi and Mary in the GIAM group. I'm also an American Title V finalist.:)

  10. Mona Risk // February 28, 2009 at 8:15 AM  

    Welcome to the PFS blog Judy. You define the writer's life so well. We often become friends because we understand each other when sometimes we can't dind understanding in real life. I can't live or write without my CPs holdimng my hand and now I have gotten attached to my friends on the PFS and the Writers Playground.

  11. Romily Bernard // March 1, 2009 at 2:08 PM  

    Hi Judy! Glad you're here. I'm new too, but I have quickly learned that there is no one like your writing friends to understand the inevitable rejection letters. I'm three deep just this week! Thank God for wonderful critique partners and good chocolate =)