But it really doesn't matter, because that ten years represents a portion of the 10,000 hours of writing practice I've put in for the past decade. More than that really, when you consider all my various jobs in the publishing industry, off and on over the decades.
There are many people and tools I'm thankful for. I still remember the generosity of authors I met in person and over the phone so many years ago. Like the woman who told me to get a copy of The Writers Market. That changed my writing life for all time.
Then there's the hour I spent on the phone with Kathleen Burdick-Hague, while her husband, Michael Hague, signed at a Tattered Cover book event so many years ago. I'm forever grateful to her for the advice and encouragement when I was a fledgling writer.
My list of Internet gratitude is endless:
- Facebook and all the friend connections especially Colorado Writers and Publishers
- Twitter and even more connections and marketing opportunities
- All my blogging partners, past and present, here at the Blood-Red Pencil
- My critique pals at the Nag Sisters group online
- Wikipedia and all the research opportunities it provides
- Man Flow Yoga because it helps keep my writing bones in pain-free mode without a lot of babble
And thank heavens for cheap wi-fi that gives me all those connections out here in the great rural outback. Technology really has connected us far and wide.
What about the online world are you most grateful for? Which writing friends or groups have helped you the most? Please leave us a comment!
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| Dani Greer is founding member of the Blood-Red Pencil. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. |
I love NaNo! It's the time I do all my first drafts. I've been participating about 9 years now, and have finished every novel since 2009 except one :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiration! My goal from now on is FINISH. I'm so good at starting. Now I want the satisfaction of published works.
DeleteWhat about the on-line world am I grateful for? Let me think ... oh, I don't know, how about EVERYTHING! I honestly don't think I could have written either of my books without help from the Internet ... from research to marketing ... it has it all! Then there are the fine folks at BRP that continue to teach me so much about writing ... you guys rock! Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteOne day, we are going to tempt you into the Blood-Red fold as a contributor!
DeleteI have been inspired and encouraged by my companions on Blood Red Pencil. Also, many of the posts on Murder Must Advertise have spurred me on -- or rather back to my WIP. Fellow writer S.K. Randolph regularly urges me to get to work on that WIP, and she's a fabulous beta reader who's almost always spot-on with her suggestions. My brother John has been a huge influence in keeping my goal of becoming a writer in front of me ever since I began my first novel while in high school. Now both he and S.K. Randolph nudge me online. Much as I am not a computer nerd, I am truly grateful for its availability and the broad expanse of present and potential support persons, groups, and organizations just a few keystrokes away on the worldwide web.
ReplyDeleteYou've added so much to the blog, Linda. Thank you for that!
DeleteFacebook and Facebook groups, which is how I became involved with BRP. The critique groups I've belonged to. Women Writing for A Change in Cincinnati. The internet in general and the ability to connect with other book lovers and writers. They keep me armed with a long to be read list. Amazon, Create Space, and Nook for allowing me to publish on my own. I may have only reached a few thousand readers, but that is better than not being out there at all. On a personal level the internet has helped me research health related information and to share it with others on thetinman.org.
ReplyDeleteIt's such an amazing tool! When power is out here in the outback, I feel the lack of connection. I could never have lived in the country for very long without the long arm of the Internet and being able to communicate with kindred souls.
DeleteThis will make my twelfth year doing it. I've won nine. I've also finished most of my stories that I started, but only first drafts. A couple I've gone back and edited and realized with them that I'd have to rewrite the whole thing, which actually is kind of fun. And I always challenge myself. Last year I challenged myself to get to 75k in November and I passed it. I'm aiming for 100k this year.
ReplyDeleteI still have a NaNoWriMo book from what has to be at least 4-5 years ago, which is still partway done. A bad habit of mine is to start something and not finish it. It's on my list of books to get done!
ReplyDelete