Monday, June 18, 2012

We Are Family - I Got All My Sisters With Me



Writing has often been described as a solitary occupation.  It’s something we do on our own, sitting by ourselves at our desk or wherever it is we like to write.  But the Internet changed everything.  Now we have a way to connect with other writers and not feel so alone.

I did this via Blogger, and I’ve met countless talented writers who are at various stages in their career, but who universally reach out and touch others like me who crave not just understanding, but friendship.  I might be tenacious and determined, but I seriously do not think I would have made it this far without my blogging buddies and the critique partners I’ve met online.

There are two in particular I’d like to feature here today.  They are both beloved critique partners, and now, they are both what I like to call my publishing sisters.  As most of you know, I managed to swing an unagented deal with Sapphire Star Publishing last March. 


Well, in April, my best friend and writing soul-mate, Lisa Regan, also joined the growing team at SSP.  Although I did mention her book deal, it came right in the middle of the A to Z Challenge, when all my posts were prewritten and scheduled well ahead of time, so I only briefly touched on her achievement.  But though it might have been lost in the chaos that was April, nothing in this world could have made me happier. 

You see, although Lisa and I have not actually met in person...yet—we will finally meet in October at BoucherCon—we’ve become about as close as two friends can be.  We email looooong letters to each other twice a week and constantly text each other when news is too urgent to wait for the email.  And we talk on the phone when one of us needs the extra support.  We started as critique partners, but have become as close as twin sisters.  And, with the exception of my mother, I love her more than any other woman I’ve ever known.  She is my rock, plain and simple.  And now, we get to share every stage of the publication process, side-by-side. 

Since I’m a couple of months ahead of her in that process, I share every detail, every problem, every accomplishment, knowing she will soon experience the very same thing.  I cannot even express how wonderful it is to have my best friend experiencing the same journey at practically the same time, and with the same publisher.  It doesn’t get much better than that. 

But then it did!  That’s right.  Another one of my blogging buddies and beloved critique partners signed her own book deal with SSP. 


Many of you already know Carrie Butler.  In addition to her wonderful blog, Carrie’s a skilled writer who’s penned a thrilling New Adult paranormal romance novel, plus, she’s an amazing graphic artist who’s designed numerous blog headers, buttons, and badges for her friends and followers, including me.  But more than anything, she’s been an unconditionally supportive friend to me.  She was there when I needed her, when I had to make one of the most difficult decisions in my writing career.  And now, she is also my publishing sister. 

So it’s the three of us together at SSP now, me the big older sister with her two younger siblings in tow.  I can’t begin to explain what this means to me.  I don’t have any real, from-the-womb sisters, only brothers, and I’ve always envied my friends who do.  There’s just something special about that bond.  But I think I have the next best thing with my publishing sisters.  We stand united in our goals, in our dreams, but more than anything, in our friendship.  It’s like a second and third dream come true, all within a matter of months.  How cool is that?!


If you could bring anyone along on your journey, who would it be and why?



31 comments:

Donna K. Weaver said...

That is so awesome, Nancy. Sometimes people say that the folks we meet on the Internet can never be "real" in the sense that people we meet in person are, that we're wrong to waste our time connecting with cyberfriends. I've never felt that way and your experience backs up my position.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

At the moment, I'm trying to bring everyone along!

Stina said...

Ditto on what Donna said. My internet friends are very read and I don't know what I'd do without them. Congrats to you and your "sisters" on being even more life family than before.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Yep, some of my very bestest buddies are online. How great is this brave new world where you can find "soulmates" so easily?

Natalie Aguirre said...

So agree with Donna. That's awesome the level of friendship you've developed with your Internet friends.

Murees Dupè said...

This is a really beautiful thing and at least you know you are not alone in the publishing world any more.

JeffO said...

Very nice post, Nancy. The support of fellow writers is an incredible thing to have.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Congratulations to Lisa and Carrie, and how awesome is it for all three of you to land with the same publisher?

Unknown said...

How great that the three of you can share your experiences!

StratPlayerCJF said...

That's awesome, Nancy!

(And now I'm going to have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day...)

I've been amazed by how supportive the other writers I've met online are. It's simply wonderful for a still-struggling hack like myself to have the support and positive feedback that I've found through blogging.

Cassie Mae said...

This is so so so great you can all go through this together! Pub. sistas!!! You rock! :D

Lynn Proctor said...

how cool!!

Tara said...

Support is an awesome thing & it's great that all three of you are going through this together so none of you are alone. In so excited for all of you!!

Emily R. King said...

How fun to be published by the same publisher. It's a built-in support system!

Mike said...

You guys are kind of a cute family to boot! Congrats to all!!

Carrie Butler said...

Oh, Nancy, this is so cool! I love that we're on this journey together as pub sisters. :D Thank you for everything! *Hugs*

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I wrote for years without a computer or the internet. When I finally got online in 1994, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I understand EXACTLY what you're talking about, Nancy. Awesome.

Dana Mason said...

I actually lost one of my best blogger friends when I signed with SSP. I guess that's how you know who your true friends are. If they're happy for you, they cheer you on and enjoy the ride, if they're not, they disappear in a green haze...
I'm glad you're friends stuck around and joined the party. It's a great group to be apart of, not to mention, Amy and Katie are awesome.

Lisa Regan said...

Why am I so late to this? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! What a wonderful and sweet post! You know how much I love you and how grateful I am that you came into my life! You inspire me and keep me going. You also know how incredibly awesome I think Carrie is! I'm beyond ecstatic that all three of us are together on this journey! I wouldn't have it any other way. Never in my wildest dreams did I foresee a scenario this awesome!!!

Jennifer Hillier said...

This is a beautiful post. The best part of my writing journey by far has been meeting amazing people like you, Lisa, and Carrie. Really, it makes it all worth it.

Empty Nest Insider said...

Congrats to Lisa and Carrie! You are all so lucky to have each other, and it really will make this adventure even more rewarding! Julie

M Pax said...

It's mega cool, Nancy. Congrats to Lisa and Carrie. Woot!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Well said, Nancy. Very nice. I wish all of you the very best of luck! It's going to be a great year!
Heather

Unknown said...

Such an inspirational story of support! Congrats to you all! I'm just trying to help whomever asks at the moment. Good karma never hurt. :)

LTM said...

Very awesome! Super congrats to Lisa & Carrie! That's the best part about this blogging writer-community. Everyone's so supportive and encouraging. Best of luck to all three of you~ :o)

Liza said...

What a lovely post. Congratulations to all of you!

Andrew Leon said...

I wish I had a good comment for your post. It is great to have good friends you can share with.

Thanks for stopping by Briane's blog and giving me support, yesterday! That was awesome! He's got the same thing going on today, if you have time.

Anonymous said...

So cool to have some friends along with you on your journey! If I could, I'd bring along alllllll my blogger buddies still trying to get pub'd and the ones from my local RWA group. There's so much talent out there. But I guess it all happens in God's perfect timing:)

klahanie said...

Hi Nancy,
Your article has quite eloquently stated what I have embraced all along. Via the finer aspects of a sharing, caring blogging community. All different, all equal, we can rejoice in the diversity and encourage, support each other. Indeed, celebrate when somebody realises their publishing dream has come to fruition.
Very good of you to make note of all your writing friends. All the best to them and to you, Nancy.
Have a lovely weekend and happy writing.
Gary :)

Andrew Leon said...

Thanks -another- time for stopping by and supporting me! You're awesome!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

That's super cool to that kind of connection with your publishing sisters.