Comments on: While U Wait: Connect with Colleagues

By: Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:43:23 +0000

Good, now I’m caught up again. Great job, Wendy, as always. Regarding bookmarks. We believe that is my most affective/effective??? promo tool and we’re always on the lookout for other ways to add to our lists. People love bookmarks. I do and finally got out of the habit of bending pages. I have bookmarks stashed near all my reading places. We have mine printed in TX, but they have a minimum of 5,000. Quality printing Cheap is a great company to work with.

We are all in this family together folks and therefore helping each other is part of our life and business.

The best way to meet people is to smile, stick out your hand and introduce yourself. Make a game of it, if you are uncomfortable.

Blessings, Lauraine

By: Lynn Dean

Lynn Dean — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:43:38 +0000

I was out of town Friday, but your series last week was so helpful that I made it a priority today to see what I missed. Thank you for another excellent post!

ACFW has played a part in so many writing relationships. When I was first starting out, they matched me up with five other wonderful ladies for an online critique group that has become so much more. In addition, I’ve formed deep friendships with women I met at annual conferences, and the Voices group I discovered at last year’s seminar by Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck has provided continuing benefits. While taking a free online class through ACFW, the instructor put me together with another student who had a similar style, and that has developed into a long-term friendship. Finally it was through ACFW that I met another author from my hometown. We meet once a month at a local bookstore with some secular writers in our area, so the circle is growing wider.

There are so many benefits to networking with other writers! I would not have grown half so much in my craft without their input into my life.

By: Lenore Buth

Lenore Buth — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:14:59 +0000

Thanks for your great posts this week, Wendy. Lots of practical, useful information.

I’ve been blessed over the years by being in some good critique groups that focused on being professional. Sometimes I needed that incentive to keep on keepin’ on. It’s refreshing to be with people who understand this uncommon way of life. Few outsiders, no matter how loving and supportive, really can.

Who can blame them? Truth is, it is a bit odd to sit at a computer and churn out words, day after day. No wonder only other writers can relate.

Ah, but that’s what we’re called to do, so all is well.

By: Wendy Lawton

Wendy Lawton — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 21:48:32 +0000

Timothy, I can’t think of an online group for nonfiction writers offhand. I’ve always loved CWFI but they recnerky disbanded. can anyone help with a suggestion.

By: Krista Phillips

Krista Phillips — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:41:59 +0000

I can honestly say that I would have quit ALONG time ago if not for the writer friend’s I’ve made. Many are unpublished so it’s a “I know how you feel” kind of relationship. And it is SO SO SO fun and encouraging when a fellow friend has a “win” and makes me realize, it CAN happen! (Okay, I’ll admit, there might be a teensy twinge of jealousy sometimes, but my happiness for them overrides it big time!)

I’m also VERY blessed to have a wonderful local writer’s group here in Nashville, filled with AWESOME published authors and non-published. I’ve learned a TON from all of them, and count their friendship a HUGE blessing.

By: Timothy Klingerman

Timothy Klingerman — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:13:13 +0000

Wendy, I have enjoyed your posts this week. Are there any online groups for Christian nonfiction writers that you would highly recommended? Thank you.

By: Marti Pieper

Marti Pieper — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:49:15 +0000

I connect through my local critique group (Word Weavers Orlando) but also at conferences; via Facebook; blogs; and an online group, The Writers View.

The writing profession rises and falls on relationships. I’ve tried to model mine after my mentor, Cec Murphey, who has a strong commitment to do whatever he can to help other writers. Faithfulness counts, and relationships matter. Through my writing relationships, God has returned much more than I’ve ever given. I appreciate this blog and the education it brings me. Blessings!

By: Jean Wise

Jean Wise — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:33:58 +0000

I don’t know what I would do without my writers friends – their endless support, sharing and prayers. Besides a local group, I am part of an online writers group – we critique, share resource and encourage each other. I am a better today because of them.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:24:02 +0000

Funny, I did a post today on “stand-offish authors”. However, what I’ve found are a bunch of enormously generous and gifted authors (Robert Liparulo, Tosca Lee, and Brandilyn Collins to name a few) who respond to people and writers.
Who wouldn’t want to network with people whose work they admire? I need affirmation–why wouldn’t they? They’re just people, no matter how big or small in the industry. As you so aptly said, Wendy, we need each other.

By: Teri Dawn Smith

Teri Dawn Smith — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:29:16 +0000

I met a group of five wonderful friends in a critique group put together by ACFW a few years ago. We not only critique, but we share the joys of a wedding or new grandchild as well as prayer needs.

Then this year I attended two writers retreats with Susan May Warren. The same group of about 15 ladies attended, and we’ve formed a band of sisters like few I’ve ever encountered. We’re scattered from east to west and north to the south, but have bonded into a group ready to pray, critique, brainstorm, or support each other at a moment’s notice. Susie even calls us her “peeps”. We’re in the process of starting a new blog now.

God also placed a wonderful writer right here in my hometown. She’s gifted but needed a little nudge to get going. Thankfully, she’s with me all the way now.

I’ve met other wonderful authors at ACFW and kept in contact on blogs, facebook, and twitter.

I’m always amazed at how much the CBA authors reach out to help those of us coming along in their footsteps. Instead of swatting us away like annoying flies, they draw us alongside and show us the way.