What Matters Most Is Not WHAT You Write, But WHOM You Write With

*taps microphone*

"Hello!  Is this thing on?"

It's been pretty quiet on this blog lately.  We've all been busy with other things, and the blog has been somewhat neglected.  Speaking just for myself, I've been lousy of late staying active with any of my three blogs, including this one.

But I think it's an apt time to stop by this blog and to say, for the record, what a wonderful bunch of people my Writing Group is.

We're hoping to have the most of us, if not the all of us, together for a picnic this weekend.  The prospect puts a spring my step.  No matter what I do or don't write in the remainder of my writing life, that is of much less importance to me than simply being part of a wonderful group of creative, unique, and generous souls.

Many of whom I will hang out with this Sunday.  Can't wait!

Another Contest

Mary Kole, an associate agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is holding another contest. This one is for the first 500 words of a MG or YA novel. The winner gets a 15 page critique. Click here for details.

The Everafter gets all awardy!

Congratulations to Amy Huntley, fellow Write-Brainer and debut author, whose book, The Everafter, has been short-listed for YALSA's William C. Morris award.

Of course, we all knew it was one of the best YA debut's of 2009 but you just can't beat shiny round stickers, no sirree.

Stay tuned. . . .and check out the other nominees out here.

Query Contest

Mary Kole, an associate agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is holding a query contest. The winner gets a 30 page critique. Click here for the details.

Thanks to Beth for the link.

Hurrah, Amy!

We've all of us been rather quiet on this group blog lately, but here's something definitely worth shouting about:

Our own Amy Huntley's young adult novel The Everafter was released this week. We're all jumping up and down and clapping! Congratulations, Amy. Yay!!!

Question of the Week: What Have You Learned?

Lori asks, “What have you learned?”

Writing was an early interest of mine, one that I let go of over time only to rediscover about a decade ago. In the past ten years, I’ve come to realize just how difficult and wonderful the pursuit of writing can be. But that discovery really was a case of re-learning something I already knew.

What I have truly and newly learned is this: for me, the most satisfying moments of The Writing Life are the people moments.

Reading aloud something I’ve written, and seeing the reaction of kids and their parents. Gathering with other writers to share and discuss manuscripts. Even just hanging out with other writerly people.

For words are the writing. But people make the words matter.

And for an introvert, that's been one heckuva revelation!

Q of the Week: What Have You Learned?

by Ann

This is a difficult question because most of what I know about writing and marketing I've learned from this group. There is one gem that stands out, though.

I come from a goal-directed family, and as a former scientist, I'm the product of an extremely goal-directed culture. The most important lesson I've learned from this group is the process is more important than the goal.