I cannot say enough nice things about the support my writing receives from the people in my life.
When I first started writing, I thought it was a solitary process, something that I would do without the input of anyone else. After all, how strange is it for a forty-something woman to just start writing books? I doubted anyone would ever read anything I wrote because I was sure I wasn’t brave enough to ever share my work with other people. After only a short time, I realized how wrong I was. It’s not silly for someone to start writing, no matter her age. And it might take bravado to turn your writing over to another person, but a writer gains so much in return.
The first person who ever read one of my stories was Julie Clayton, a fellow teacher. As as passing point of conversation, I made a little joke about trying to write a book. She became my first cheerleader. The next day, a copy of Stephen King’s “On Writing” was sitting on my desk — a gift from a friend. Julie was constantly asking how things were going, how far along the story was progressing. And she read the book when it was done. Her acceptance allowed me to share the story with other friends who were kind enough to read it. The encouragement of my friends is the reason I reached out to my father-in-law for help.
How wonderful is a man who is an accomplished author and the founder of a magazine dynasty to read a romance novel written by his daughter-in-law? I cannot find the proper words to express my gratitude to M.R. James. I put him between the proverbial rock and hard place asking him to edit the story and not spare my feelings. He didn’t flinch. He took a binder full of my manuscript and treated it like he would any other writing, like a good editor should. And, to my utter pleasure, he destroyed it. He loved me enough to be honest with me, show me my mistakes, and tell me how to improve. I learned so much from him.
I started to think I could write, and I gained confidence I had always lacked. Knowing I had so very much to learn about the craft, let alone the business of publishing, I joined the Indiana chapter of Romance Writers of America. The first meeting I attended, I walked in frightened, intimidated, and a little envious. But these women made me feel welcome, and I no longer felt like a mutant because I would spend eight hours at my laptop without moving anything except my fingers. Through INRWA, I met the person who has influenced me the most in my writing. Judie Aitken called me over during a break and started a conversation. My life hasn’t been the same since.
Judie is an award-winning, multi-published author and is the woman I consider my mentor. What drew her to me was my shirt — my Hoosier Park horseracing shirt. Judie and I talked horses. Then we talked books. And somewhere in the conversation, we became friends. She asked me if I would like to be a part of a new critique group she was forming. Now, together with Judith Bastin, Nancy Gibson, and Ann Heathman, we have a wonderful group that is brutally honest, fun, and delightful. I look forward to reading their work, sharing my own, and nurturing these friendships for the rest of my life.
Writing can be a lonely process. But it doesn’t have to be a solitary one. My support group continues to grow. My mother has become a fantastic proof-reader and my sister has become my number one fan. And, of course, my husband is my touchstone.
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.