Ok, I'm an egomaniac. I admit it.
Now that that's out of the way, I can get on with the story and not worry about what terrible things you may think of me. We'll both know I'm hopeless and likely in need of a reality check.
I had to return my husband's new swim trunks last night. After doing my wifely duty, I decided to indulge a little. I went to the bookstore. Now, this may not sound like much of an indulgence to you but I would have to disgree. I had no children. No curfew. No hubby waiting impatiently for me to make up my mind and just pick a book--any book! I could browse to my heart's content.
The first surprise was the crowd. I couldn't believe how many people were there on a Tuesday night. I parked, walked into the store and went straight to the cafe. Ordered myself a Chai. Yet another indulgence.
Soon enough I discovered why a crowd had gathered on a Tuesday night. Yep, you guessed it. The local writer's group had invited a local author to speak. I stood on the sidelines and sipped my Chai while I listened to him talk about how his career got started. After he was done reading he took questions--no, I didn't ask any--and then joined a circle of friends right next to where I was standing. I felt brave enough to interupt and ask him if the local writer group who had helped him so many years ago was still around. I live about 20 minutes away from where they met and was excited by the idea of meeting regularly with other writers.
He invited me to pull up a chair, "You're among friends!"
Indeed, they did make me feel right at home. I agreed to sit for a minute and asked him my question. The only one I really had--my online writing groups have answered most of my questions and I didn't want to impose too much.
Sadly the writer's group he had been part of had drifted apart and no longer met. However, quite a few of the ladies around the table were the original members and it seemed they had been considering reinstating the group. Bonus for me! I gave the ring-leader my name and number and now I'll just have to hope for the best.
But that's not the eqomaniac part. I'm getting there, though. Stick with me.
While I was chatting with these people the president of the writer's group who had invited the author to speak arrived at our table. Now, I used to be a part of her organization. I paid dues. Showed up for meetings and read my work. When I mentioned this she shook her head and said she didn't recognize me. Big surprise. I hadn't been around in almost 7 years. I didn't expect anyone to remember me!
She asked me my name. Suddenly she perked up. "You had a vampire story. And then you got pregnant and left the group."
What a compliment! My face wasn't remembered but a story I wrote--and have likely since lost--was remembered. I'm going to think it was because it didn't totally suck, if that's okay with you.
The highlight was when she encouraged me to come back and even tried to trivialize my obstacles.
How nice!
Now that that's out of the way, I can get on with the story and not worry about what terrible things you may think of me. We'll both know I'm hopeless and likely in need of a reality check.
I had to return my husband's new swim trunks last night. After doing my wifely duty, I decided to indulge a little. I went to the bookstore. Now, this may not sound like much of an indulgence to you but I would have to disgree. I had no children. No curfew. No hubby waiting impatiently for me to make up my mind and just pick a book--any book! I could browse to my heart's content.
The first surprise was the crowd. I couldn't believe how many people were there on a Tuesday night. I parked, walked into the store and went straight to the cafe. Ordered myself a Chai. Yet another indulgence.
Soon enough I discovered why a crowd had gathered on a Tuesday night. Yep, you guessed it. The local writer's group had invited a local author to speak. I stood on the sidelines and sipped my Chai while I listened to him talk about how his career got started. After he was done reading he took questions--no, I didn't ask any--and then joined a circle of friends right next to where I was standing. I felt brave enough to interupt and ask him if the local writer group who had helped him so many years ago was still around. I live about 20 minutes away from where they met and was excited by the idea of meeting regularly with other writers.
He invited me to pull up a chair, "You're among friends!"
Indeed, they did make me feel right at home. I agreed to sit for a minute and asked him my question. The only one I really had--my online writing groups have answered most of my questions and I didn't want to impose too much.
Sadly the writer's group he had been part of had drifted apart and no longer met. However, quite a few of the ladies around the table were the original members and it seemed they had been considering reinstating the group. Bonus for me! I gave the ring-leader my name and number and now I'll just have to hope for the best.
But that's not the eqomaniac part. I'm getting there, though. Stick with me.
While I was chatting with these people the president of the writer's group who had invited the author to speak arrived at our table. Now, I used to be a part of her organization. I paid dues. Showed up for meetings and read my work. When I mentioned this she shook her head and said she didn't recognize me. Big surprise. I hadn't been around in almost 7 years. I didn't expect anyone to remember me!
She asked me my name. Suddenly she perked up. "You had a vampire story. And then you got pregnant and left the group."
What a compliment! My face wasn't remembered but a story I wrote--and have likely since lost--was remembered. I'm going to think it was because it didn't totally suck, if that's okay with you.
The highlight was when she encouraged me to come back and even tried to trivialize my obstacles.
How nice!
That is nice! Go you! Hope you get a nice face to face writer's group out of it.
ReplyDeleteMichelle