Face Time: Have You Heard Of This Thing?

Click HERE to check it out.

I'm doing the A to Z challenge. I got caught up in its enthusiasm and excitement. I'm sure it's going to be fun and awesome. Which is one of the reasons why I love face time on the blogosphere. It's like riding a wave (on my belly--I'm not the grab-a-big-surfboard,-paddle-out-and-wait-for-a-big-wave-and-wave-to-the-big-shark kinda gal).

What blog things do you get swept into? 

Check out Laura's #hashtags post today for a laugh! 

Coworker Face Time: The Practice Room

Right through this door, everyone!

A year ago, I was writing through the winter doldrums. Well, more accurately, I wasn't writing. That was the problem. I was just stuck inside the doldrums. Enter Tina Laurel Lee. She and I had met through another blog, and struck up a friendship. And when I wrote a blog post commiserating about how little writing I was accomplishing, she asked if there was anything she could do to help. (She's so sweet!) And what she proposed was the essence of the Practice Room.

We decided to meet each morning in gchat, after I had written for an hour (and before she wrote, due to the time difference). I knew that if I didn't write, I'd have to explain to Tina exactly why (she cracks a big whip). And that was motivating enough. Accountability works.

It's so much more fun to write when I have a writing partner to talk to about the pitfalls and accomplishments.

Before long, Tina had created a whole blog site (she's brilliant too!) devoted to writers who write for an hour ("unplugged") and then stop by and chat. The Practice Room. No secrets are revealed--you can say as much and as little as you want about your writing. It's a come as you are, casual Friday kind of atmosphere. And it's lovely. It always gets me out of my doldrums, no matter what time of year. And everyone is always welcome. I'll always be indebted to my friend, my coworker, Tina for creating a wonderful avenue for face time!! Thanks, T!

Do you have a face time experience at The Practice Room? Do you have a coworker that you nudge when you have a writing issue? Who cracks the whip at you when you need it?

And, consider this your invitation to lurk (and join in!) at TPR if you haven't already. Tina would love to have you over!

Face Time: Coffee Talk with Robert

I started writing seriously when Robert, a friend whom I greatly admired, suggested that we meet (in person) to talk writing. I had been writing a novel for a number of years, but not with an eye towards publication. When we began meeting weekly was when I began writing. Really writing. I was no longer a stay-at-home mom writing in solitary. I had an audience. I was a writer.

But I was a writer with a really pathetic first novel. I will always be indebted to Robert that he took me on, even though there wasn’t much skill or talent in that first novel. I am so grateful that he saw a spark there and that he stuck with me.

I didn’t realize how lucky I was until a year later, when I connected with other writers on-line. 

You mean, not ever writer has someone who builds them up, while respectfully pointing out the flaws in their writing? Hugs and loving friendship wasn’t a part of every writer’s experience? Coffee, laughs, and three act plot arcs? No? Robert and I loved discussing characterization and voice over our steaming tea pots.

During those meetings, Robert taught me how to be a gracious critter—something I am still aspiring to be. No matter how many problems we discussed in my writing, I always left our meetings revved up to get to the next level. He always made me feel as though I could get to that next level. And since our friendship was as deep as our writing partnership, our support for each other extended into our personal lives, our marriages and families. 

Robert set the standard for me with writing relationships. Ours was a respectful, mutually beneficial relationship, with a goal of building up not only the writer, but the career, and the life beyond the writing. It is because my first face time experience was so amazing that I continue to seek out face time with other writers. 

Thank you Robert, for helping me to see my own talent, and thank you for holding my writing career in your capable hands when I lacked the self-confidence to do so on my own. Thank you for propelling me into the writing world, and for giving me the vision to dream of my own career. Thank you for giving me the blueprint for a healthy writing relationship. I only hope that I have given you a fraction of what you have, and continue, to give to me.

To everyone else--do you have a face time mentor? Have you had your share of healthy writing relationships? Have you had some less than healthy ones? And, if you haven't had a supportive crit person in your life, please feel free to email me. Send me some stuff. I'd love to be a part of your circle of support.

Face Time: At the Grille

Okay, so, I apologize for the dead air that has been filling my blog--I hope you all have been busy too. I'm going on a trip soon, so it's only going to get worse before it gets better. But, bear with me; I have been having fun experimenting with different types of writing an collaborating that I will share with you--all in due time!

A few nights ago, Kris put together a fabulous kidlit night out at the Westford Grille, and I was so excited to hang out with other writers! Martha, Nandini and I hopped into my SUV, and we braved all sorts of back, rural, dark New England roads (we waved at Walden Pond) until we came out into the dubious civilization of Westford.

We talked libraries and writing, and commiserated over how long this process takes, especially with family and life and all that good stuff thrown in. I really enjoyed talking with everyone--old friends and new.

Me, with Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Jeanne Munn Bracken

Sometimes candids don't pan out. You can see Nandini way over to the left, Marissa Doyle in light grey, Natasha in pink,  Lynda in blue, and forgive me, other wonderful writers, but I didn't remember your names. I was sitting at the other table!

Martha, Deborah Kops, and Kris

Then, we hopped into my car to drive home, and realized (thanks, helpful random guys who tapped on my window!) that one of my tires was almost flat.

How many writers does it take to put air in a tire??

Nandini got advice on the phone from her hubby, Martha donated the quarters, 

and I aimed the air gun.

Martha and I posing for Nandini.

Miraculously, the tire held air all the way home. With no help from me. I discovered the tire's air valve cover IN MY POCKET once I got home. Evidently we needed one more writer to screw on the cap. :)

Thanks to all the lovely writers who came together the other night--and thanks Kris for setting it all into motion!! This kind of face time fuels my writing for a good long time. I came home inspired!

What face time have you had with other writers recently? How are you faring this winter? Any tire fiascoes adding color to your life?