Wednesday, March 9, 2011

All Things Writerly

On Sunday's post, I mentioned attending a writers workshop the day before. One of the best tips I came home with was to find a Writing Buddy, someone who would help me stay motivated, on track and keep me accountable. I asked my good friend Sioux if she would do that for me and fortunately she said yes. I won't go into all the particulars yet, because we just started, but I can tell you that it has already helped my immensely! (And no, despite rumors you may have heard, she didn't threaten to take away all my diet soda, hand lotion or chapstick if I didn't reach my daily goals!) Another bonus of that afternoon was meeting three new writers, which reminds me, I need to e-mail those lovely women.

(photo courtesy: google)

A few days ago, I asked one of my male writer buddies to critique one of my memoir chapters. All I can say is "Wow." Having other people....who you trust, and who aren't your family members....read your work and then say what they liked and didn't like, plus offer suggestions and ideas....It's THE BEST!

Monday night, our writing group Saturday Writers, hosted its first "Meet & Greet." Usually we members only get together once a month, which is at our meeting and is more of a class room atmosphere. It was great to just talk with other members and find out what's going on with them, etc.

Which brings me to a post I want to share with everyone, written by blog buddy Paul Joseph. This is SO true and funny and insightful and semi-sad and, did I say "SO TRUE"? This is why I LOVE to hang out with writer friends, and realizing that it doesn't matter what age we are, whether we're male or female, what genre we write...."we are writers"....and we "get each other"!! Happy, happy. Joy, joy! You keep on keepin' on, Paul Joseph! You are one cool guy!

** Oops. I forgot to say Hello & Welcome my newest follower: Thisisme! Thank for your wonderful comment. I'm happy to hear you love the quotes...as you can tell, I LOVE quotes! I hope you always enjoy your visits! ** (added at 11:25pm)


"The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day that your life really begins." -- Bob Moawad
at
Labels: , , , ,

20 comments:

  1. KathiMarch 9, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Love your blog, but thank you so much for not having your music come on automatically!! Soooo much more enjoyable!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chatty CroneMarch 9, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Important to make that decision that it is your life and you own it! sandie

    ReplyDelete
  3. SusanMarch 9, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Hi Becky...So glad you are connecting with many other writers.

    I'm a little worried about that diet soda. All the chemicals they put in it. are FAR more harmful than sugar, Beck. A medical doctor told a dear friend of mine to eliminate all diet sodas IMMEDIATELY. Unfortunately, my friend lost his batter with pancreatic cancer,anyway. Please don't take offense at this, Becky. I am just passing on information because I want you to be around for a long time! Susan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oregon Gifts of Comfort and JoyMarch 9, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Hi Becky,

    I am so happy that you are so happy! I can tell; you sound like the old Becky Povich, Bliss Follower. Glad things are going so good, and I think that Sioux will do you well. I love the Bob Howard quote, which really applies to me right now too. Can't wait to read your friends post.

    God bless,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Paul JosephMarch 9, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Thank you, Becky. I appreciate the kind words, and I apreciate the plug tremendously. You are one cool lady yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kim LehnhoffMarch 9, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Becky,
    I appreciated it so much when you agreed to critique MY stuff.

    It's so nice to get constructive criticism (unlike the snarky comments I get when The Mister reads something, and declares it "crap").

    ReplyDelete
  7. joanne foxMarch 10, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Thank you for another lovely dose of inspiration. x

    ReplyDelete
  8. bikimMarch 10, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    loved the quotes!
    !
    take care,
    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Always love reading about your writerly days, Becky, I'm so glad you're having so much fun these days!
    I'm really suffering from not having writers around me in real life and just talking to them over the internet, but I'm determined enough so I'll work it out somehow in the end :)

    I like the new blog layout as well, honey *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  10. CrystalMarch 10, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Wonderful blog...Love the quotes. I have only been blogging for 7 months but I am learning the ins and outs of it. Blogging allows me to release words that beg to get out. And of course display some art :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Myrna R.March 10, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Funny, I've always stayed away from writing groups, buddies etc. My shyness, which is probably more about my lack of confidence, keeps me isolated (also my life circumstance), but maybe soon I'll take the plunge and join a group, maybe get a buddie.

    I visited Paul Joseph. I agree that his post is so true, and funny. Thanks Becky.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Susan AndersonMarch 10, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Glad your writing buddy is motivating you. It's always good to have a partner.

    =)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Patti March 10, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    LOVE Bob's quote. Such liberating words...if we can take them to heart.

    Yes, a person to whom we can be accountable is such a fabulous thing to have...for many different things (exercise, prayer, diet, etc.)

    Have a great day, Becky.

    Love,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    Writing buddies....
    Work out buddies!

    It's all so very helpful!

    Ciao Bella!

    Creative Carmelina

    ReplyDelete
  15. Pat WahlerMarch 10, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    Writers are wonderful at supporting each other. Sounds like you've hit on a great way to accomplish your goals.

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. LynnMarch 10, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Yeah for writing buddies!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Clara Gillow ClarkMarch 11, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Hi Becky, Love the warmth of your blog.Your writing community sounds like a wonderful place to be. I'll send emergency supplies, if you need them! Write on . . .

    ReplyDelete
  18. Terri TiffanyMarch 12, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    Oh I wish I lived closer! How wonderful that you have found so many writers close by! I'd love that!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Katie GatesMarch 12, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    I agree that we writers are our own breed, and I am so happy to read of your supportive network. (With Sioux as your partner!) I have to share something about feedback: last weekend, I was working on revisions of my second novel. A helpful, new local writer friend had read the most recent draft and advised that I change the beginning. So, on Saturday, I drafted a new first page. On Sunday, I opened an email from an NYC friend who had just finished reading the manuscript. (NYC friend is not a writer, but an avid reader whose opinion I greatly respect.) In that email? "Loved, loved the first section and first sentence." So, there you go... It's all quite subjective!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Deb ChitwoodMarch 13, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    Great blog, Becky! I love all your quotes - I'm a total quote junkie! After following Susan Boyle's career, I got goosebumps when I read her quote! I'm your newest follower! Deb @ RaisingFigureSkaters.com

    ReplyDelete

I'm still getting quite a few spam comments that are Anonymous, so I'm trying "User with Google Accounts." If anyone tries to comment that I know, and it won't let you, send me an email, okay? Thanks so much.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)