– Writers Enjoy Collegiality
In a recent blog interview I was asked, “What are the highs
and lows when it comes to writing?” Ironically, for me, the two are
inextricably entwined. I dread the high-tech requirements for marketing and
promoting. On the other hand, meeting other writers through blogs, web-loops,
Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, and other electronic media has widened my writing
world tremendously. I feel I know quite a few writers I will never actually
meet in person—those who have shared interviews and reviews, blogged about and
commiserated with me via chat groups.
NIKKI ANDREWS comes to mind as her Worldwide Release of Framed,
a cozy mystery published by The Wild Rose Press (my publisher) occurs this
week. Nikki graciously interviewed me re my cozy A Red, Red Rose
on her blog this January. I reviewed Framed and gave it a 5-star rating
on Amazon. It’s a fun, quick read—full of humor and feminine smarts as
colleagues in a framing shop help solve a decades-old murder.
PETER GREEN is another author friend who gave me a dynamite
review on Amazon when A Red, Red Rose first came out,
published by L&L Dreamspell. I love
the fact he compared me (favorably!) to an all-time favorite Southern Gothic
writer, Carson McCullers. I had the opportunity to read and review his memoir
about his father’s World War II experience in Ben’s War With the U.S. Marines, which chronicles Ben Green’s patriotic resolve to find ways to serve his
country while enjoying life and practicing his own particular talents involving
radio. It’s a book for everybody—not just war buffs.
NANCY MEANS WRIGHT’S Broken Strings was another fun
read/review I did for a fellow Dreamspell author who reciprocated with a review
for A
Red, Red Rose. And there’s
CINDY SAMPLE who has become as close to real-life friend as is possible
through Facebook, e-mails, and the Dreamloop. I read and reviewed Cindy’s Dying
for a Daiquiri, set in Hawaii, while I was in Hawaii—making it all the
more memorable.
So many other authors have interacted with me through
technology. My very first guest blog via “Romance Bandits” put me in contact with
readers all over the world—the UK and Australia responding to my blog hours
before Eastern Standard wake-up time. Also SUSAN WHITFIELD afforded me a guest
spot on her blog the first day of my free Kindle promo for A Red, Red Rose. And what
a treat to be able to respond to a blog at Wild Women Authors about the creator of the cover of my
book—Tina Lynn Stout.
So, Techno-dunce or not, I’ve certainly “met” a lot of
talented and dedicated folks in the literary world through electronics. Just
call me ambivalent.
10 comments:
Thanks for the shout-out, Susan, and best luck with A Red, Red Rose. An intriguing story with memorable characters!
Thanks, Nikki and good luck to both of us as well as our fellow authors!
Here's a link to Nikki's blog:
http://www.scrivenersriver.blogspot.com/Susan Coryell Author: Writers Enjoy Collegiality
Susan,
Congrats to both you and Nikki on your novel publications!
Thanks, Jacqui! Back at you!
As a result of becoming an author, I too have found those I call friends whom I will never meet face to face. And as the post shows, the lines of fate interweave and entwine. One other point about relationships between writers. Although at any one point in time we can be competitors, I have found a great willingness to share information as we help each other develop our skills and craft. To me that is one of the things I cherish most about being a writer.
One of the great joys I've discovered in writing is exactly what you've pointed out, Susan--collegiality. I've found writers are generous with their knowledge. While no one can respond to every cry for help, I've almost always gotten a solution to whatever question I toss out there. I'm sure I will run across a nasty, snobbish writer sometime--but that hasn't happened yet.
Helen: So true about writers willing to help each other. I am always amazed and gratified to see the level of support from my colleagues. Good luck to you in your endeavors.
What a lovely post. I was just commenting on this at a California Writer's meeting this past weekend. The greatest joy of becoming a published author is the generous sharing of information as well as encouragement from one and all. I love hanging out with my on-line friends. Although Susan and I really need to grab a daiquiri together one of these days!
Cindy: You are ON for that daiquiri date! Keep the communication lines open--writers have to write and authors have to...TALK!
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