Writing can sometimes be a lonely job. We have to be intentional about forming relationships with other writers, making connections at local chapter meetings as well as making online friends. We can also make connections at conferences, national as well as local.
I have a good many writing friends whom I met online. It's always such a joy on the rare occasions I get to see them in person! The ladies from the Seekerville blog as well as those here at the Cafe are some of my closest friends.
Recently, though, I also had the opportunity to attend the Moonlight & Magnolias Conference here in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. I haven't been able to make many of the Georgia Romance Writers meeting the last couple of years due to family commitments. But I was able to work out going away for the weekend at the end of September. It was a great conference!
I thought I'd share a few photos from that.
A selfie with Tanya Agler at the awards banquet where...drumroll... she won a Maggie Award!
Okay, so it was supposed to be a masquerade theme for the Maggie banquet. But I totally forgot (and don't do well coming up with costumes anyway. I'm so boring!). So this is me with my critique partner extraordinaire Lindi Peterson.
Dinner with several good writer friends, including Seeker bloggers Debby Giusti as well as Cara Lynn James who came up from Florida with her critique partner. Left to right:
Debby Giusti, Connie Gillam, Pam Varnado, Fran McNabb, Cara Lynn James, and Lindi Peterson.
Also in September, I had the blessing of getting together with our old critique group for dinner. We haven't met regularly for years now. But we always manage to stay in touch and get together for dinner when we can. This time we were celebrating two birthdays!
Maureen Hardegree and Meg Moseley (birthday girls).
Lindi Peterson and me.
It's great to have old friends and new friends who are with us along this writing and publishing journey. Those who understand the crazy aspects of the writing life (characters who won't get out of our heads, rejections, bad reviews, and mean reader letters) as well as celebrate the joys of the writing life (WONDERFUL reader letters--of which there are WAY more, book contracts and releases, good reviews, and awards).
Through it all, we support each other, pray for each other, and cheer each other on.
What a blessing my writing friends are!
www.missytippens.com
Missy, there's just something about getting together with writer friends that recharges us, doesn't it? I guess it's that whole iron-sharpens-iron thing. That's why I always look forward to conferences, to refill my tank. I know y'all had fun. And tell the lovely Mrs. Peterson I said hello. ;)
ReplyDeleteMindy, when I went to M&M, it was the first conference I've been to in about two years. So I had really missed that connection! I hope to attend at least one conference next year.
DeleteYour post reminds me that I'm in charge of getting our group together! It's one of those things that I've pushed until "later" while dealing with multiple deadlines. :/
ReplyDeleteBut it's always good to get together with others in your industry, whether you're a writer, teacher, pastor, or whatever! Like Mindy said, it's that iron-sharpens-iron thing. :) So glad you were able to spend time together.
And is it just me, or is eating a big part of every get-together???
Yes! Food definitely plays a part, Jan! :)
DeleteThanks, Missy for posting those pictures. I haven't seen Margaret Moseley in years.
ReplyDeleteConnie, I'm so glad we all had the chance to get together at M&M. I love hanging out with my GRW buddies!
DeleteI agree. Writing friends are THE BEST! And when food's involved? Oh, my gravy! (Speaking of gravy...THAT's a meal where I'm from.) Oh, dear. Is this a bunny trail??? LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your photos, Missy!
I love getting a glimpse of conference life so thanks for sharing. Glad you had a chance to go and super glad you shared.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. The entire conference was awesome and i enjoyed creating all these wonderful memories with other authors.
ReplyDelete