I Love the Writing Community!
It’s true. There are many things I love in life–my dogs, that first Diet Dr. Pepper of the day, brand new socks–and one of those is the writing world. Reading other writers’ blogs and buildings friendships, going to writing events and listening to published authors, attending the residency at my school and all of the writerly fun that goes with it. Writing is a solitary thing, but we still manage to find ways to connect!
But first! Because I’m a little cracked out on DDP right now, this is what I woke up to!
A veritable winter wonderland. In October.
And I love it! The first real snow of the season (we got a dusting a few weeks ago, but it was melted by midday).
Mr. Atkins went into work a few hours late (to avoid the rush hour mess that accompanies all snow fall, even though we live in Denver and you’d think the residents of this city would know how to drive in snow!), the pups played all morning in the snow (and are now curled happily at my feet), and I’ve cocooned myself in sweats. Happy day.
But shortly after taking the above picture, this happened:
Silly, heavy snow. Actually, it did us a favor because I think that limb was going to get the axe (well, the chainsaw) in a few weeks when we trim the tree.
Anyhow! Back to writers. I love the writing community more than snow, believeitornot.
A couple things recently that have made me ruminate over writing friendships and their awesomeness:
1) The Tattered Cover, Denver’s beloved indie book store, held two YA author events a few weeks ago. The first was with Laini Taylor. I found out about that day. Unfortunately, Mr. Atkins and I already had plans. Fortunately, they were in the same area as the TC. And fortunately again, we finished up a little early, around 8:30 (the event started at 7). We raced over to the store, and got there just in time to buy two copies of Laini’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone and stop her on her way out. Laini was super nice and signed both books for me, even though the event was technically over.
The second event was a YA tour with authors Amy Garvey, Jocelyn Davies, Claudia Gray, and Kiersten White. I knew about this one in advance and emailed Kiersten asking how many books I could have her sign. They all took a moment to discuss their newest books, then there was a very funny Q&A sessions (seriously, every one of those ladies is hilarious) and then a signing. I’d already bought Kiersten’s Paranormalcy and Supernaturally, but now I wanted ALL of their books. But couldn’t afford all of theirs, so I bought Jocelyn’s A Beautiful Dark to support her as a debut author (and I’m so stoked to read it AND it’s set in Colorado, what!). I chatted with Jocelyn and Amy about zombies, and then with Kiersten and Amy about ghost stories. Funny story, I was towards the back of the line, so I kinda zoned out, staring at the book titles around me (the event was in the historical section of the store). Jocelyn was the first author at the table, and she asked me how I was. I’d been thinking how I would tell her good luck, and because I was still kinda in the zone, when she asked how I was, I replied, in a loud, awkward voice, “Good luck.” Dur! I like books! I think they’re fun! I felt like the inbred cousin from down the street, but she laughed with me.
Which just shows that writers are the nicest people.
Look! Signed title pages!
I introduced myself to Kiersten as the "crazy girl who emailed her."
Oh man, I love me some signed books. I’ve started a shelf of all of my signed books. I’d take a picture of it, but it’s currently located under the dogs’ leashes. I’m going to move it to the piano in a few weeks.
I love meeting with writers in person, both those I already know and those I don’t. But I also love this online community of writers. That’s why I started this blog. I knew there were delightful people out there that I could connect with, and I was right! Which leads me to the other thing that happened that prompted this blog post:
2) A blog award! Yippy!
This one’s from Colin Smith, whose recent post on adventures in Victorian-era research couldn’t help but make me chuckle. The rules of this are simple: pass it on! To 15 people! Wowsers, that’s a lot. Luckily, y’all are a delightful bunch. 🙂
Heidi at …then she writes
Julie at :: :: rosewood pencil box :: ::
Kristin at Aspiring: Notes From an Unqualified Amateur
Cole at Miss Cole Seeks Publisher
Stephanie at My Personal Fairytale
S. L. at Pensuasion
Alicia at Slice of the Blog Pie
Leigh Ann at The Naptime Novelist
Ladonna at the writer in me
Tracey at Words On Paper
Chessie at Zap’s Lobster Tank
Okay, so that was 17 but what’s gonna happen? Are the Award Police gonna come get me? Actually, I hope so, because that would be an interesting story!
(I will comment on all of your blogs later. Right now, my computer might explode. It needs to sleep.)