Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Writers Enjoy Collegiality



– 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:

Nikki said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Susan, and best luck with A Red, Red Rose. An intriguing story with memorable characters!

Susan Coryell said...

Thanks, Nikki and good luck to both of us as well as our fellow authors!

Susan Coryell said...

Here's a link to Nikki's blog:

http://www.scrivenersriver.blogspot.com/Susan Coryell Author: Writers Enjoy Collegiality

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Susan,

Congrats to both you and Nikki on your novel publications!

Susan Coryell said...

Thanks, Jacqui! Back at you!

Helen Henderson said...

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.

Nikki said...

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.

Susan Coryell said...

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.

Cindy Sample said...

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!

Susan Coryell said...

Cindy: You are ON for that daiquiri date! Keep the communication lines open--writers have to write and authors have to...TALK!