Meet Me! And Thoughts on Giving Back
First . . . if you live in the Richmond, Virginia area or driving distance from it, consider coming to the Writers Workshop held by the library. I'm giving a presentation on writing for Young Adults next Saturday. Apparently, you get a box lunch. I forget what lunch choice I picked, but . . . lunch and ME . . . how can you beat it?
Second, a quote for your Sunday morning pleasure:
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
~Tenzin Gyatso
With a handful of exceptions (in many years of writing) that I can think of, I have met only writers who are more than willing to give back to fellow writers. The few exceptions, oddly enough all youngish women, I just consider an indication of their personal character or the fact that they haven't grown yet, and I consider them the exception not the rule.
In general, what you usually see are writers who are willing to stop and talk craft, and stop and talk the agonies of trying to get published, who share their insider knowledge--whether that's the intricacies of publishing or where to stick a comma. The blog world has its share of negativity--and I avoid those places--and I tend to hang with the positive folks. I will be updating my blog roll this week with all the new, great writers I've met.
Mark Terry, for instance, wrote a 10-piece blog series on freelance writing that should be a BOOK (have you thought of that, Mark?). But it's not just published authors, but writers who just want to share the journey. Share their passion. If you're been crazy enough not to visit SpyScribbler's blog . . . well, then haul your blog-hopping a** over there today.
As for me . . . I always feel what goes around comes around. Lately, I've had a personal patch of roughness, but my pals--both in real life and online--have been nothing but good to me.
So take a hint from the Dalai Lama. No matter if you get the million-dollar contract or not . . . your success will be measured by your character.
Thoughts? Has the comraderie of writers helped you?
Peace,
E
Second, a quote for your Sunday morning pleasure:
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
~Tenzin Gyatso
With a handful of exceptions (in many years of writing) that I can think of, I have met only writers who are more than willing to give back to fellow writers. The few exceptions, oddly enough all youngish women, I just consider an indication of their personal character or the fact that they haven't grown yet, and I consider them the exception not the rule.
In general, what you usually see are writers who are willing to stop and talk craft, and stop and talk the agonies of trying to get published, who share their insider knowledge--whether that's the intricacies of publishing or where to stick a comma. The blog world has its share of negativity--and I avoid those places--and I tend to hang with the positive folks. I will be updating my blog roll this week with all the new, great writers I've met.
Mark Terry, for instance, wrote a 10-piece blog series on freelance writing that should be a BOOK (have you thought of that, Mark?). But it's not just published authors, but writers who just want to share the journey. Share their passion. If you're been crazy enough not to visit SpyScribbler's blog . . . well, then haul your blog-hopping a** over there today.
As for me . . . I always feel what goes around comes around. Lately, I've had a personal patch of roughness, but my pals--both in real life and online--have been nothing but good to me.
So take a hint from the Dalai Lama. No matter if you get the million-dollar contract or not . . . your success will be measured by your character.
Thoughts? Has the comraderie of writers helped you?
Peace,
E
Labels: blog updates, speaking engagements, writers' workshop
posted by Erica Orloff at 8:21 AM
25 Comments:
"Has the comraderie of writers helped you?"
Most likely would have slipped into a permanent state of margarita mindlessness without it!
Yes, the camaraderie of writers drives and motivates me. I know few writers in real life, so without the internet I wonder where I'd be!
Amy Nathan
www.orthoticcontessa.com
I wish I was in Richmond! Even though I don't write YA, I'd love to hear your presentation.
Absolutely, the comraderie of writers has helped me. There have been so many times a writer has answered a question, or given me advice, or explained something that I just wasn't getting. I go to writer's conferences to hang with other writers - not for the conferences or even the agent and editor appointments.
"Has the comraderie of writers helped you?"
That would be a big YES. :-)
I also feel closer to some of my writer friends (some I've never even met in person) than I do with the "normals" from everyday life.
Maybe it's because "crazies" get other "crazies"? ;-)
(And my husband is in your neck of the woods right now. I'd send him to take notes for me, but he is working the night shift. lol.)
Yes, it is so good to know that as a writer, you are a member of a tribe that understands your fears and loves :)
I try my best to give back, at least a fraction of what has been given to me by generous writers like you, Erica -- I'm still learning how to be generous in a graceful, easy way.
It's a practice, like meditation or writing itself. I get so run off my feet sometimes that I don't do as much as I can. But I try to remember that paying it forward/giving back isn't a linear phenomenon...even a short conversation, a moment in time, can loom large for somebody.
You rock, Erica! I wish I could come to Richmond to hear you speak.
MicheleL
Hey Erica,
Absolutely! The camaraderie of writers is essential for me, and what's even better...so many have become great friends. Both online friends and friends I've met through my local RWA chapter. Finally, I've met people who are quirky like me! LOL. And we motivate one another, encourage one another, celebrate each other's accomplishments, and been there when one is having a tough day (or week, month, year). I hope I give them back as much as they've given me. :-)
And as Liz mentioned, I attend the writers conferences to hangout with my friends and catch up, not to attend the workshops.
Erica, I love my writer friends! I'd be lost without them. This community of ours makes the road so enjoyable. Like you, I avoid negative online hidey holes, and conversations. Who needs that? Thanks for being one of the "great" ones, and I'm just grateful I found ya.
Hi Lainey:
Well, you are one of my best online pals--I love your sense of humor . . . makes me just look at the day in a fun way sometimes.
E
Hi Amy:
In Florida, I knew a lot of writers. Here . . . not so much. The Internet has sustained me in my move.
E
Hi Liz:
I would have to say that . . . writers like Vickie Hinze, whom I met online, opened my eyes about a ton of stuff I as a writer didn't think about--less about craft, which I DO concentrate on, and more on marketing, which I do . . . but admittedly needed to learn some things.
E
Hi Heather:
Well, tell Hubs he's missing a boxed lunch. ;-)
E
Hi MicheleL:
Paying it forward, to me, is exactly what you describe. It's not linear but just putting good out there and you never know what might happen.
E
michele:
Yes, I love my "quirky" writer friends who "get" me.
E
ladonna:
I've found the great blogs--like Magical Musings--and avoid the ones that seem to fall apart into arguments constantly.
E
Richard Carlson wrote in Don't Worry, Make Money, "Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. If you want more love, or fun, or respect, or success, or anything else, the way to get it is simple: give it away. Don't worry about a thing. The universe knows what it's doing. Everything you give away will return, with interest."
You've given me career advice that I've quietly taken, and one of these days soon I'll be able to show you a concrete result.
One of these days I'll also pop in on one of your talks. I'll look vaguely familiar, because you've seen my pictures, but you won't recognize me out of context. I'll tell you I'm present to pay back some interest, and you'll know.
Stephen:
I'll settle for a martini and the Erdos story told in person and consider us even.
;-)
E
The camaraderie is priceless. The journey is agonizing sometimes, but it definitely helps having people around who can relate.
Best of luck on your presentation, Erica! Be sure to let us know how it goes.
I hope your presentation goes well.
Sometimes I wonder how writers avoided going nuts "back in the day" before the Internet. I find the connectivity with other writers valuable. If not for actual writing hints, then for having truly empathetic ears to share the trials of the trade.
As a matter of fact, I was thinking about it...
Thanks for the affirmation that I should probably do more than just think about it...
Jude:
Thanks.
JLK:
I've been in "real-life" writers' groups since I was 20 or 21, and always found them valuable. But as four children came along--let alone deadlines and all the rest--I have foudn the Internet lets me connect with writers when I have free time . . . .
E
Mark:
It's essentially a proposal. A skeleton for a proposal. Do it!
:-)
E
Hey, thanks Erica! I tried to thank you this afternoon, but commenting on my palm is nearly impossible.
I started out saying all that yucky stuff doesn't exist, that all writers are great and supportive. Honestly. But then I realized I have a selective memory, LOL. I've seen the competitiveness, the pettiness, the ridiculousness, and have even been back-stabbed once. (I've even seen some tiny-scale corporate espionage which amused me more than outraged me, given my fascination with the subject.) I've not seen any of it do much harm (outside of feelings), and I haven't seen any of it help the instigators at all. And being back-stabbed didn't hurt my tiny career at all, honestly.
Writing is like golf. It's you, your clubs, and your ball. How the other players play will not change the score you get.
I am so relieved there are other writers, LOL. People who don't think I'm a complete nut. Or at least, people who are happy to be nutty with me. I'm totally prejudiced to believe that writers are a more compassionate sort, a different sort of human.
As to the rest, well. I don't know. After RWA, I wouldn't say they're the exception, but ... I just make use of my selective memory.
Oh man, I'm in Bethesda, MD. I could technically drive down to Richmond but that Saturday is a bad day for me! Too many commitments! Lunch with you?!!! I'm steamed I can't make it! I hope it is great!
Spy:
Like your golf analogy. Focus on your own game, you know?
E
Ello:
Next time! If only for the boxed lunch.
:-)
E
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