 Dream Big Posted by Susan Sey Feb 27 2012, 12:12 am
See, I recently blurbed a book. (This means I provided the little quote on the cover telling the world what a really great book it was, for those of you who don’t speak writer-ese.) See? There it is! Over there, on the cover on the left! I know it’s a little hard to see, but click on the cover to see it live & in person on the internets. And I didn’t blurb just any book, either. Lord, no. This was a really, really good book. One that I would have been thrilled to blurb no matter who wrote it. But it just so happens that my dear friend & critique partner (and former Romance Bandit) Inara Scott wrote this particular book, thus allowing us to fulfill yet another of our long-dreamed joint milestones. And what, you might ask, is a long-dreamed joint milestone?
Well, it’s what happens when you put two brand-new, starry-eyed, sky’s-the-limit writers in a room together. Specifically in a hotel room in Reno where RWA is holding its 25th annual conference. It’s what happens when those two writers have a glass of wine (or two) and some ice cream (or a lot) and some chocolate (or a great deal), & start planning their careers with the subsequently lowered inhibitions. First we’ll land a couple of agents! (That was a few years down the drain but eventually…done!)
Then we’ll both sell books! (A couple more years down the old tubes on this one, but then Inara sold her YA in a two-book deal. I sold my Golden Heart winner in a two book deal not quite a year after. Here’s me & Nara celebrating my GH win in 2008.) Our careers will then take off like rockets! (We’re still throwing years at this one.) And then when we’re amazing superstars (not enough years in the universe but okay), we’ll blurb each other’s books & go on tour together & it’ll be our own little fairy tale! [insert reality here]
Okay, so we didn’t take off like super stars. Nobody has, as yet, decided to send us out on a joint book tour. (Inara did get to do a mini-tour in support of her first Delcroix book but I was not invited. I can’t imagine why not. She was promoting her young adult series at middle schools & I was writing adult romance. What could go wrong?) But then Inara hooked up with Entangled Publishing, & began to release her adult romances. (There she is in her glammed-up, I-write-romance author photo. Nice!) And guess who she tapped for a cover quote for her latest, the Rules of Negotiation? I’m thrilled to report it was me! And they put it smack on the front cover, too. I was proud on so many levels–first of Inara because I love this book & I’m so glad it’s finding an audience. Selfishly for myself, too, because I’ve always wanted to blurb a book. It’s a cool thing to be viewed on any level as an authority on what’s good to read.
But I was mostly thrilled with the both of us. (There we are on the left being thrilled together in NYC last summer.) And why? Because seven years ago we were dewy-eyed newbies with more hope than sense, & but we didn’t let that stop us from dreaming. And dreaming big. And maybe our dreams haven’t all come true but we’ve put our backs into it–put our backs against each other’s, really, & circled the wagons when necessary–& we’re hauling each other into that future we dreamed so long ago. Inch by stingy inch sometimes, but we’re walking that path together. So here’s to Inara, & her latest release! Here’s to me & my latest milestone! And here’s to the readers everywhere who love a good love story. We write for you. Heck, we are you. So dream big. And take a good friend on that walk with you. It helps. Inara (www.inarascott.net) will join us in the comments today, & she’ll be giving away an e-copy of The Rules of Negotiation to one lucky commenter. So tell us about your dearest friends–do you have one or lots? Have you known her since kindergarten, college or last week? When has a true friend really made a difference in your life?
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Is he coming to my place
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, he must want some Tim Tams!
I think the GR is developing a Tim Tam dependency. It may be time to think rehab. Tim Tams are a tough one to break, though. Believe me, I know….
Congrats, Helen! Enjoy him! He’s probably still wearing his little tuxedo, having just staggered in from the Oscars parties.
Helen..you really do spoil him too much. I think he may be messing with the website to make sure you get to take him home regularly. Hmmmm.
Tim Tams are his worst weakness I think.
Helen, congrats on snagging the GR again!
Well the GR can keep me compnay today and I think reading and resting will be the way to go it is hot and humid here at the moment so the air con is on that should keep his feathers cool while we talk about friends LOL
Have Fun
Helen
Aw. I think the GR would say you’re one of his favorite friends, Helen.
Susan
Well done I am soo happy for both of you I loved Inara’s first YA and am eagerly awaiting the 2nd one in that series it won’t be long now and I was at Amazon the other day and I saw this book with your blurb on it and was just about to buy it when the grandkids arrived I need to get back there and purchase it.
Friends are so special what would we do without them as you all know Barb is my best friend and lives a couple of houses away and we we have been neighbours for around 30 years now and I don’t know what I would do without her there to laugh with and cry with and moan to when needed LOL
Well done Ladies I am thrilled for you both love your stories and I too am hoping for lots more to read
Have Fun
Helen
Thanks, Helen! I hope you’re enjoy the Rules of Negotiation. It’s a very fun book, with plenty of heart. I really love that in a book, when the author remembers it’s a ROMANCE & gives us plenty of emotion.
And I’m envious of you having a dear friend right there in the neighborhood. Mine are farther away than I’d like. Inara’s all the way out in Portland, OR, & I’m here in Minnesota. It’s half a country away & it’s just too far….
Helloooo Helen! Thanks so mcu for your kind words and for being such a great fan! Hearing that someone loved one of my books is still as mystifying as it is delightful (really? You loved *MY* book?).
And I live in supreme jealousy of you having a best friend down the block. I have nagged Susan merciliously about moving to Oregon and she just won’t budge (some nonsense about her husband and kids being more important). But I still cherish the dream that someday we will be able to wander down the block to each other’s house and share a cup of coffee…
Oh, I cherish this dream, too. I *cherish* it. Mr. Sey is the stubborn one. Though I do love the Midwest, I wouldn’t be averse to a little West Coast Adventure.
Susan, what a fun post. And, Inara, congratulations on your latest release! And how cool that Susan put the blurb on the front. Well, you put the blurb on the front but Susan WROTE it! Actually what I kept thinking when I read the post was that the best part of this writing gig is the friends you make along the way. You two together are just SOOOO cute!
You’re so right, Anna! (Not that Nara & I are cute–though we are!–but about the friendships.) And the Romance Bandits are, hands down, the favorite writing friends I’ve made. I love this circle of women, & the circle of friends that it’s become. This is a crazy business, & it’s so important to have real, rooted people around you to love & trust!
We aren’t just a little cute. We are freaking ADORABLE! (though for some reason Susan didn’t post the picture of us groping the Naked Cowboy in NYC. Wonder why?).
Oh! I have that one. I just thought I’d preserve both our reputations & keep it in the closet. But now that I think of it, the picture of me groping the naked cowboy is already on my Romance Bandits page so what am I being prudish for? Maybe I’ll trot that thing out here….
Oh, all right, you ARE FA! When I’m with you both, I spend the whole time laughing. You both have such quick wits!
Hi Anna! oh, I miss you ladies!! Thanks for the warm welcome and boy, do I ever agree with you. This business is absolutely crazy-making. I’d never survive without friends like Susan, and all the Banditas, who were always a part of my writing journey.
Inara, once a Bandita, always a Bandita, if only in spirit!
Ah, Susan and Inara, you two are just too wonderful! Congratulations to both of you as you realize some of your dreams together and your friendship grows right along with you!
I’m blessed with a handful of very dear friends, and even when we don’t always have the time to talk, it’s a joy and blessing when we do have a chance to catch up. My two very dearest were my bridesmaids, and are lifesavers to this very day, most recently helping me through the trauma of packing and moving
I’m about to try to return the favor with one of them–my sister and bestie!
Hey, Fedora!
Ooooh, moving! And your besties helped? Worth their weight in gold, no question! I hope the move went smoothly–did you go far?
Embarrassingly no–just literally down the street. But we hadn’t moved in 12 years, and well, I’m a packrat, so you can imagine the disaster that the whole process was
Hey Fedora! My sister is my other bestie, too! I don’t know what I’d do with her. She also lives across the country from me, though. I wonder why I can’t get anyone to move to Portland with me….
Glad you survived your move. Just down the street sounds like the perfect distance to go, if you ask me.
Um, I meant “do without her” not “do with her.” LOL! She was a lawyer for a few years too, though she quit when she had her babies and never looked back. Still, I used her to help give me a “does it pass the sniff test” read on my crazy lawyer antics in RULES.
Ah, glad you’ve got a sister-bestie too, Inara!
LOL about Portland… I don’t know! It’s a great place!
Love the pic of you and Inara in NYC, Susan. Being blurbed is so cool and congrats to Inara on the new release. I have a few good friends that I can rely on. I met a couple in college and the others at work.
Good morning, Jane!
College & work are both some of the best places to pick up good friends! For me, my besties came from the years after college, funny enough. And I moved to Minnesota, where most people’s best friends are the ones they made in kindergarten, so it makes me an odd duck. Well….more of an odd duck.
It’s just a cultural thing around here–very family & loyalty oriented. Which is wonderful. But those of us who aren’t from here & have no family of history? It takes us a while to break in.
I think that’s true no matter where you live. College friends are impossible to replicate. I think is the shared experience, and all the intensity of emotions you’re sharing. My college besties were my bridesmaids, and still dearest friends, though we are scattered all over the country.
Congrats on the book blurb, Susan! So wonderful to have Inara back with us for a visit. We miss you, lovey! Congratulations on the release of Rules of Negotiation. Hot cover!
I know how close you two are so it’s lovely to see you together. Those pics make me sad I won’t be in Anaheim to hug you both this year. Any thoughts of taking that two author tour to Australia? Let me know.
I have dear friends outside of writing but inside this strange universe I couldn’t live without Foanna and Denise Rossetti. They have been there for me through the thick and thin of the writing journey. I owe them my sanity, I think! (And Anna blurbs my books, too, which is a huge added bonus!)
MWAH to you girls and to all the banditas. It’s so great to have you all!
I was thinking of you & Fo as I wrote this post, knowing that you also have a blurbing relationship. Isn’t it fun?? I so wish you were coming to Anaheim this year! We’re going to miss you!
I cry every night knowing you won’t be there in Anaheim, darling! I am determined to get to Australia someday with Susan so We can crash on your couch and swim in Fo’s pool.
So tell us about your dearest friends–do you have one or lots? Have you known her since kindergarten, college or last week? When has a true friend really made a difference in your life?
I met a lot of my friends in primary school; and we were close buds right up until the time my abusive bf interferred with my life. After that, none of them wanted to be around me. He was the ultimate test of endurance with all of my 15 or so friends; because only 4 of them stuck around with me.
Those people were Helen Lukasweciz, Hannah Northedge, Adrianne East and Vicki Connolly. Two of them – since about two years ago – have left my life; the other two are still hanging around me. Vicki passed away – sadly – and I didn’t know until 2 weeks after her service (her Mother didn’t like me and so made sure I wasn’t notified of her illness until it was too late) and Adrianne broke connections with me for an unknown reason and I’m sad that she’s gone; but she’s got her own reasons and that’s how it all goes.
Hannah and Helen are both my best friends in the world. Hannah I’ve known since grade 5 of primary school and she was around for only a year before her family went back to the UK. In 1997, I traveled over there for 7 weeks to look around and visit family and her as well. We were like sisters! It was so much fun!
Helen and I met in early high school. She’s from a Vietnamese family and her Mum has never trusted me… however Helen has always stood by me. We wrote each other wickedly weird notes and letters in school and left them in each other’s lockers and – when we left school – we kept on writing; even when we were overseas and traveling all over the country. She even called me first when she found out she was pregnant with her first child… as she knew that I’d be the typical friend and dutch courage she’d need before confronting her family. She’s had two other children since – and this makes her family full of boys! – and we’ve never lost touch. We send each other Christmas Cards and letters whenever we feel like we’re losing touch and having talked in a while… and it’s always great to hear from her. And you know, we could leave off from a conversation last year around June and I’d pick up the phone in January this year and we’d pick up from where last left off from… now, that’s true friendship!
I have since made other friendships; but they haven’t lasted as long as Hannah and Helen’s; or even as long as Vicki… however I do believe that friends come into your life for a reason or a season. The ones who arrive for a reason belong in your life for a good reason – and are there to help you change it. The ones who show up for a season are only there for a certain amount of time before they leave it; and when they do, they leave you a very muchly changed person.
Mozette, this is very wise. It’s so important to accept the role people play in our lives, and that the length of that role isn’t always as long as we’d like. I, too, have had friends come & go, & it’s painful. But the flip side is, as you said, every now & again you get one who stays forever. I’m so glad you’ve found that!
Oh, I agree Mozette, people change and sometimes grow closer and sometimes further apart. I think we see something of ourselves reflected in our friends, and while it can be painful to see the relationship change, sometimes it is for the best. I believe we carry the love of these people wherever we go.
Mozette said:
I have since made other friendships; but they haven’t lasted as long as Hannah and Helen’s; or even as long as Vicki… however I do believe that friends come into your life for a reason or a season. The ones who arrive for a reason belong in your life for a good reason – and are there to help you change it. The ones who show up for a season are only there for a certain amount of time before they leave it; and when they do, they leave you a very muchly changed person.
Wow. This is really cool. I realize stuff like this about so much in life, but about the friends, I still feel some guilt when I don’t “keep all of them around.” I’m going to think about this when I start feeling that guilt next time.
I used to find that I felt very guilty about my friends moving away from me spiritually. I didn’t like it that things were changing so much. And even though they were were married now, and had children, I didn’t see how it should change a friendship… but they did. I even had one friend say that because she had a child I didn’t fit into her life anymore because I didn’t have children or a man. Her mother tried to get her to change her mind about it; but couldn’t. So, sadly, I had to leave her to her narrow-minded view on her life; and this was a woman who I had been friends with since grade 2… and it hurt me badly to watch her leave my life.
However, I’ve got other friends who are married and have had children who love it that I’m in their lives. And because I’ve had failed pregnancies and have gotten that maternal instinct happen because I’ve had a taste of being pregnant just a little, they accept me and love it that I’d love to entertain their kids for a while.
To me, though, it all depends on what your friends really mean to you in the first place. If they don’t appreciate you, they’re not worth holding onto.
What a lovely post, Susan and so glad to see dear Inara back for a visit – we miss you!
I have best friends from different times of my life – one from growing up, two from uni, one from work and of course my dearest writing buds.
Anna, I envy you friends from every part of your life! I sometimes feel like I’ve lost whole chunks of my life because I’ve lost touch with the people I spent my days with. I have my journals, but it isn’t the same.
As I wrote my reply, I felt sad about the friends I’ve lost touch with, Susan. There are a couple of really good friends that just seemed to disappear for no good reason.
Helloo Anna! First, I have to say your picture looks gorgeous! Is that a new hairstyle? You look so glam!
and thank you for the warm welcome. I’m so happy to be here, though my, you all have upgraded.
You know, I was thinking the other day about my “going commando” post. Hard to believe that was so many years ago…
I tend not to be too melancholy about the friends who have moved on, though it is hard to lose track of someone you cared about. But I really believe they come into our lives for a reason, and we keep a piece of them after they go.
First, congrats to Inara on the new book. And Susan, congrats on giving a cover quote. It’s cool, isn’t it? I got to give one to my dear friend Maureen Hardegree, who writes YA too.
I have lots of wonderful friends, but that person I just about can’t go a day without e-mailing a zillion times is fellow author MJ Fredrick. We’ve already e-mailed several times this morning, and I’m still in my pajamas.
Ooooh, a several times a day emailing friend! I love those, though they cut into my writing time something fierce.
It’s so important to have somebody who’s interested in hearing your random daily comments, though, isn’t it? Especially since as writers we tend to spend so much time alone. I think this is why I love Facebook/Twitter so much. It’s just a little dose of socialization.
Hi Trish! I can’t wait to read your new YA! I remember trading ARCs of our YA books years ago. I just adored Heartbreak River. Such a wonderful book.
You know, when Susan says, “emailing several times a day” friends she really means, “that Inara kid who keeps bugging me all day!”
Her name is Barbara, she is a wonderful person. Outgoing, vivacious, funny, (basically everything I am not), and she will not let me set at home and molder. Gloom and doom isn’t in her vocabulary and she won’t let it be in mine either….LOL.
I met her at work and we have known each other 10 years now.
Gloom & doom? I have a hard time seeing that in you, Dianna, when you brighten up our day so beautifully around here.
But I love hearing about friends who buoy each other up this way. I’ve never understood the concept of a frenemy–you know, the girl you’d call your bestie but who actually undermines you at every turn? I see this in book & movies but can’t understand why anybody would have one in real life. Not unless you were related to here & therefore kicking her out of your life would be too hard. And upset your mom.
Dianna, I am similarly baffled by the very idea of you being less than cheery! I think you two must compliment each other beautifully!
Suz, I’ve never understood the frenemies thing either. I think it’s made up.
Well maybe it is more a case of insecurity and she won’t allow that. I get things in my head (usually that my poor son got the sucky mom cos she is old and not so energetic) and I don’t hear from my daughter and I get all gloomy gus. Barbie simply won’t allow it. Let’s go shopping…..I hate to shop by the way but she usually talks me into it anyway……..LOL
I am going to tell a story about a frenemy. She ended up with my husband, my house and my daughter. No one seeing her and I together would ever guess that. My mother once told me and I never forgot, keep your friends close, your enemies closer.
I don’t have any friends. I am not from the town where I live and everone seems to have their own friends clique and since I am in a wheelchair it takes alot for me to go places and the people here don’t want to be bothered. It’s ok though because I have the characters that you all write about to keep me company:)
You have friends here in the Lair, Gail! You’re in the BB’s clique!
Gail, I agree with Anna-there’s definitely friends in the Lair, and really all over the Internet (not to mention all those great folks in your imagination). I really think this is a wonderful thing about on-line communities-they can be just as real as the ones you form in person.
Hi, Gail! I’m with Anna & Inara on this one. You’re a friend to us, & that’s just a real as the kind of friendships you have with folks you see every day.
This is not to say, however, that I don’t also have “friends” in books who feel very real to me. I just went through some dental trauma & comforted myself by bingeing on JD Robb’s “In Death” books. I just wanted to spend all my time with Eve, Roarke, Peabody, McNab & an ice pack. There’s something wonderful to be said for falling in love with people we find in books.
Oh Gail,yes you do have friends!
In fact, you’re one of the “it” girls cuz you hang here with us in the lair!
Susan – what a wonderful testament to a great friendship! Thanks for Sharing.
Inara – I IS a GREAT book!
Robin
Robin, you are so sweet to stop by! You now, for years I had the Banditas at my back wherever I went. Now it’s the Entangled ladies. I am a really really lucky girl.
Welcome to the Lair, Robin! So glad you could swing by! I understand you’re one of Inara’s fellow Entangled authors? I’ll have to look up your titles–I’m so impressed with Entangled!
What a great post, and Congratulations to you both!
I have a fantastic friend and critique partner who I’ve known for almost three years. We’ve laughed and cried through the ups and downs along the path of this publishing journey. I hope we can both reach those wonderful milestones together, and who knows, blurb each other too! *fingerscrossed8
Thank you Jessica! Having a dear friend will make all the difference for you, I know it! Good luck in your journey to publication-and remember, it really is a journey, not a destination. Enjoying the ride (and the friends you make along the way) is the best thing you can do for yourself.
I’m just going to echo Inara on this one–contracts come, contracts go, but friends are forever. It’s especially fantastic if your friends are on the same roller coaster, though, & have an intimate understanding of your ups & downs. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the mutual blurbing works out, too, though, Jessica!
My best friend and I went to high school together so we’ve known each other a long time.
Hi Sandy! That’s awesome that you have a friend all the way back to high school. I met up with some old HS friends while I was on tour, and it was awesome. Definitely brought out a side of me I’d forgotten!
That’s because they have PICTURES of everything you’ve forgotten. Old friends are funny like that.
This is funny, because a couple of weeks ago I had to steel myself to ask a couple of friends, who I’ve known ages, to blurb my book. I knew they’d say yes, but I still hesitated. I didn’t want them to think I was using them or anything…I don’t know why, but it just felt weird, reaching out for such a huge favor. And now I read that it meant a lot to you to do it! I hope they feel the same way, as I feel very honored to have critiqued their work myself. So this is a very timely read for me! Kudos to both of you!
Hey Kathryn, if you’re asking for blurbs, you must have a book coming out-congratulations! And good for you for making the tough ask. It takes a ton of courage to reach out like that, and it’s great that you got a good response. I wish you all the best with your book!
Huge congrats on your release Kathryn! I’m sure your friends were pleased as punch to blurb your book! Hope it’s flying off the shelves like hotcakes!
My dearest friend I met when I was about five. Our parents became good friend. We were close all the way through high school and spent a lot of time together. I don’t see her much anymore but stay in touch through emails and by phone sometimes.
Hi Virginia! You are so lucky to have such a long-time a friend. Remember that old song? Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold…
I have one friend I made when I was 2 1/2, and we still keep in touch. We don’t talk often, maybe a couple of times a year, but when we do, it’s magic. There’s nothing so wonderful as a lifetime of shared experiences.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello!
It’s so much fun when the whole family becomes friends! We have a few of those, especially now that our kids are in school. My oldest made a friend in kindergarten & we fell in love with the whole family. Now we go camping together, participate in community theatre, & the mom & I are taking a trip in May to run a race together. Who knew the kids would be such a blessing when it came to meeting new people??
Susan, what a cool post!
It’s so awesome to see you two making your dreams a reality–and doing it together!
I still remember the story about you and Inara on the beach when your husband threatened to out you to her for being a writer.
Looky what y’all have accomplished!
Hey Cassondra! Damn I miss you girl! how are you?!
Yes, that day on the beach was one of those “best day ever” sort of deals. Susan and I are very lucky girls.
(both in friends, and husbands…)
So true! Though I do remember contemplating Mr. Sey’s demise when he threatened to out me before I was ready. But I got Inara as my writing buddy out of the deal so he survived.
I have a handful of friends that I consider close to me and have known them for years. The fun thing is we are all so different and that means we each bring so much personality to the friendship. On the other hand I do make friends easily, though usually they are more acquaintances to me. My close friends I know I can count on and that means a lot.
Hi Na! It sounds like you are a very lucky girl-both in your ability to make friends, and your ability to appreciate them. I think these things go hand in hand, by the way…
Oh, I envy the ability to make friends quickly & easily! I have no problem chatting people up, but I have a really hard time taking it any deeper without help. I think people who make connections & bring groups together are a special kind of blessing. We all need a Na in our circle!
Oh..to answer the question..
I’ve had just a few people though my life that I would call “best friends.”
The first one I met on my first day of first grade (this was my first day of school, since I didn’t go to kindergarten). I walked in the door of that school holding my mom’s hand, and there stood a little redhead, all by herself in the big front foyer of the school. She had on a sleeveless dress with big pumpkins all over it. We became best friends and were up until middle school, when we sort of drifted apart.
In high school and just after I had two best friends–and kept in touch with one of them up until just a couple of years ago. But we’ve drifted apart as well.
I used to feel like something was wrong with me when this “drifting apart” happened, but now I realize that as people grow and change, they grow and change in different directions, and that’s okay. In fact, the last time I encountered one of the high school best friends, I realized, “we don’t work any more,” and purposely have just sort of let that one go. I still love her but..well..we just don’t work as besties.
I do have a couple of what I’d call “best friends” now–soul sisters who get me in spite of my weirdness–and who will be seen in public with me even after knowing me for a while… and I can’t imagine life without them. Like you two, Susan and Inara, I wish they lived closer.
You’re so wise about this, Cassondra! I think it’s important to realize that some friendships just aren’t forever, & that there’s a grace in letting a person serve their purpose in your life & letting them go when it just doesn’t work anymore. That said, there’s also a lot to be said for hanging onto friendships & doing the work required to deepen them. The trick, I guess, is knowing when it’s time to do which. I haven’t figured that one out yet….
Yay Inara! What a fantastic post! I love when writers hook up, dream big, and make it come true. Kudos to both of you, and Rules of Negotiation is truly a wonderful, fantastic read. Do Not. Miss It!
Y’all, Jennifer is a super mega bestseller with her Indulgence book, The Marriage Bargain! You should check it out!
Thanks for the shout out, girl! You are too sweet!
Am making note of title. Love a good read & am always thrilled to find a new-to-me author!
Yes, but look out because the other Indulgence books – inclduing the fabulous Inara’s, is steadily climbing the list and will be at the top with me! How have I missed this blog in my life – I love it!
Hey Susan and Inara!
Congrats on the release of Rules Of Negotiation! What a sexy cover and equally great blurb! Well done!
I’ve had several dearest friends over the year.
First there is Marion. We met each other in second grade and hung out with each other off and on all through elementary. But the summer before our 7th grade year we started hanging out together and were nearly inseperable until we graduated. Oh, we both had other friends in various groups and clicks, but Marion and I always talked every day on the phone and spent most weekends and summer holidays glued to the hip!
As I went through nursing school, became a nurse, a wife and mother, I met lots of interesting people, but it wasn’t until I moved to Texas that I developed my other two, “dearest” friendships.
Sandy Blair, my wonderful critique partner, is the first of these. She understands my “nursing” stories as she’s a retired nurse and listens as I ranted, raved and cried in frustration over not getting published. I got to celebrate her first and subsequent books, and I could just drop in and spend time whenever. Alas, SHE moved away from Texas and I miss that terribly!!
The second is Jo Davis, another great critique partner and cheering section! We both write erotica, so you can imagine how we descend into the world of naughty and giggling at the drop of a hat!!
AND
The Romance Bandits have given me yet another “dearest” friend…Joanie!!!! Being nurses, we commiserated often over that part of our daily lives, we talk books and just plain love to hang out together, both in person when we can and on line!! Love me some Joanie!
Suz, with your bubbly personality, it is no wonder you find friends everywhere you go!
I love you nursing stories, BTW! And I love Joanie…where is she, anyway. Getting a massage, I bet.
JOANIE!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?
We all love us some Joanie!! One of my best RWAs was the one that the four of us roomed together. I still miss the Buffeteria.
But, yes, the Romance Bandits has provided me with a circle of my very favorite writer friends & I’d never have been able to carve you all off the herd any other way so I cherish the fact that we’re all in this together.
I LOVE this post! Welcome home, Inara. I’ve heard some wonderful things about Entangled publishing, Hope everything is working well for you there.
Susan – loved your quote – on the front cover no less! This really was meant to be. And to think that it was all born in Reno. The road is always easier with friends to share the highs and the lows. Wishing you both many, many, many more highs.
Thank you so much, Donna! I’m having a great time with Entangled. It’s really been fun to work with a small, author-focused company. Hope we get to catch up soon-maybe Anaheim?
Alas – Inara – I’m planning to skip Anaheim this year…but you never know. That could change.
My fingers are crossed, Donna! Fingers crossed….
Hi, Inara, and congratulations on your Entangled release “Rules of Negotiation.” I’m equally excited to read the next Delcroix book which I think releases next week, right?
Great post, Susan. It’s wonderful to have friends who take the journey with you. Have your back, your front, whatever.
Congrats to both of you.
Hi Jo Mama! So nice to be here in the Lair again! And thank you for the Delcroix shout out. The first book in the series is being rereleased on March 6 in paperback (that’s The Takents) and book 2 of the series comes out in hardback on April 3. I can’t wait!!
Hey, Jo! Front, back, arm, leg….Nara can have whatever she wants so long as she doesn’t abandon me to this nutty business all alone. I’d never make it.
And, yeah, Delcroix II *is* coming out soon! And I can’t wait!
Congratulations on the new release Inara and congrats on the blurb Susan!!!
So coolt hat you’re both progressing through the publishing journey together!!!
Lisa
TY Lisa! Susan and I are soooo lucky to walk the path together. I don’t think I could begin to do this without her (my family is sick enough of listening to me talk about my books-thank goodness Susan will put with me!!).
BTW, all of y’all should check out Lisa’s Night Walker series. Its fabulous, and will be one of the first of Entangleds books to be released in mass market paperback later this summer (I thinker maybe this fall?). her sexy cover will be in every B&N to taunt you with its manliness..
Again, I’m making a note–love new-to-me authors. I”m sort of in a funk right now & am re-reading old favorites. I could use a new author to love…
I really enjoyed this story about friendship and the writer’s journey. It is wonderful to have someone who understands with you along the way. Congratulations to both of you!
Tracy
thank you so much, Tracy. Susan and I are definitely lucky to be walking down this path together!
Thanks, Tracy! In this business, you give thanks for every little milestone, because man, they can be few & far between. That’s why friends are so important. And wine.
Congrats on the new release, Inara! I can’t wait to read it *g*
What a fun post, Susan. I’ve made some of the best friends I’ve ever had since I started this writing journey and for that I am incredibly grateful.
Tawny and I often make career plans and set goals together. She’s a great source of inspiration for me
Hi Beth! You and Tawny are definitely an inspiration. I love watching the two of you support each other. I think dealing with the insanity of the publishing world does make for some particularly strong friendships. I guess it’s kind of like being in a disaster? something like that…lol.
It’s like surviving a plane crash. And there’s stuff flying all around & the screaming & the smoke…and that’s BEFORE publication.
You & Tawny are a wonderful example of writers propping each other up & making the business worth it. It’s been so nice to watch you guys succeed!
Congratulations to both of you on your respective milestones! Wishing you much success with your new release, Inara!
I met my dearest friend and sister-of-my-heart through of all things a pen pal list in a magazine. We have been dearest friends and chosen family since 1977. We have collaborated on a number of stories and helped each other through writer’s block and beta reads, good times and bad. Even our one falling-out was one-sided as she was afraid to tell me I’d hurt her feelings because she was afraid to hurt mine! Good friends make everything better.
Oh how funny! You were in a fight because you were afraid to be in a fight! It’s lovely that you’ve been such good friends for so long, & that it’s been such a productive friendship! Lucky you.
Susan and Inara, congratulations on making so many of your dreams come true! Inara, the new release looks great.
I have friends from different phases of my life, like so many of today’s commenters. Unfortunately, they’re scattered across the globe.
Distance is cruel, isn’t it, Nancy? So many of my favorite people are far away. It’s one of the reasons I cherish RWA–it brings so many of my favorite people together one a year so I can see them all at once!
I’ve been blessed with longtime friends from
several areas of my life: almost forty years
through church & school volunteerism and
a goodly number from our high school class
that graduated in 1954. I will be meeting
for lunch on Sunday with several ladies with
whom we have kept in touch. We met in
1947 when we got to junior high school !
What a great post! Honestly, I don’t know what we’d do without our crit partners. And if you’re really lucky your crit partners become your besties. Mine did. *sigh* the HQ boards…which neither of us really go on, it was just a fluke…is to blame for our hook up in crit-land. All it took was a few emails and we were hooked. Sharing all the highs and the lows is easier with a friend like Cari Quinn because she gets me in every way. I’ve got a lot of amazing people in my life…but only one Cari.
Great topic! You don’t have to put me in the drawing tho….i already have this one.
Fantastic post! Congratulations to both of you for turning those dreams into reality. I’m heading over to Amazon to download a copy of Rules of Negotiation onto my Kindle.