Romance Writers of America isn’t the first writers
group I’ve belonged to. For several years, many years ago, I belonged to the
National League of American Pen Women--an organization of artists, composers,
poets, and writers founded in 1897 to recognize and link women in the arts. Some
pretty important women were members of NLAPW--think Eudora Welty, Eleanor
Roosevelt, and Pearl S. Buck. You can stop giggling--I really truly was a member of this dignified and gracious organization.**
I respected my sisters in NLAPW so very much, but something
was missing. I stood in awe of the talent at the meetings each month, but never
felt as though I fit. I wasn’t educated enough, nor literary
enough, I was too ordinary. Oh, don’t get me wrong, those women were lovely to me. Always kind and
gracious and supportive, but somehow, my jeans-and-sweatshirt personality never
quite worked with their tailored suits, polished pumps, and white gloves. The failure to fit in was mine, not theirs.**
But outside of the surface-y stuff, I also didn’t
find the authorial help I was looking for. I wanted writers who shared my love
of romantic fiction, delicious happily-ever-afters, and examining the structure of storytelling.
After a few years, I left the organization. High-brow poetry and literary-magazine-style
stories were all well and good, but I needed hardcore critiques and
down-and-dirty editing.
Enter RWA.
The atmosphere at my first RWA meeting sucked me in
immediately--exciting, fun, maybe even a little bawdy--these folks welcomed me
with enthusiasm. Within weeks, I was part of a critique circle and found at
last, a writing group I could relate to. My critique partners have been invaluable in
cleaning up my stories, tightening my writing, and offering unvarnished
editorial advice. Through RWA, I’ve met writers like myself--romance junkies
who respect all stories, but need that happy ending. More important, I've become a better writer, learned more about writing, and become even more passionate about the art and craft of storytelling. Best of all, I've made good friends, true kindred spirits whose writing inspires me to be better (I'm looking at you, Liz Flaherty!)
My local RWA chapter gives me support when I need
it, promotes the heck out of my work when I send it out into the world,
rejoices with my successes, and lets me cry when I just can’t seem to get it
right. I’m grateful to this hodge-podge group of storytellers. We’re all
different, we all tell stories in our own way and with our own special voice,
but together, we are sisters (and brothers--we do have our token dude!) in the
craft. We’ll be celebrating the special bond we share at
our annual Retreat this coming weekend and I can't wait!
Wranglers, do you have a special group of writers
that you depend on for support, critique, and sympathy? Tell us about it.
**Disclaimer** Chances
are good this organization has evolved since the late 1970s and early
1980s. I just checked their website and things look pretty cool, so bear
in mind that my experiences were many moons ago when they were stuffier
and I was younger.
Bawdy? Us? No.
ReplyDeleteWell... maybe only now and again...and again...and again... It's one of the things I love most about IRWA! Fun!!
DeleteI adore my local RWA chapter members - they are some of the most supportive people I've ever met...and they're never afraid to tell it like it is. We had our chapter retreat in September and I found myself wishing on the last day that we could do a retreat like that every month!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Kristi! Retreat is my favorite event of the year! A long weekend of writerly fellowship can't be beat!
DeleteHear, hear! I was already published when I joined IRWA, but I didn't really know squat. I learned more in one meeting than I had in years of struggling along on my own. Simply joining the national chapter doesn't do it. If you're serious about writing romance, becoming an active member of your local RWA chapter is an absolute must!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Cheryl! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI treasure the friends I've made through LARA, and happily make the 2+ hour trip up to Los Angeles. I joined my first critique group there, and even after both of us moved 3,000 miles from each other, I still critique with my pal Gina. She's 25 years younger than me and doesn't mind reading old lady lit. : ) This year I did not re-join a literary group I'd been a member of since 2005. I wasn't getting what I needed and realized I never had connected with anyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping, Roben. I totally get it. The literary group just didn't cut it for me. IRWA is a great group of folks and always supportive and helpful.
DeleteI love RWA and I think I would love the chapter if I ever got myself to meetings! The retreat is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI think the internet has done more for me than anything else as far as connecting with other writers, and OMG, the friends I've made! (Hi, Nan.)
Hi, Lizzie!!' Yes, RWA is great and our chapter has some fun, fun folks I'm glad we're doing Retreat together. And yes, the Internet is how we connect. It's also how I connect with my fellow editors. The world is a big damn place, but the Internet makes it smaller. ;-)
DeleteI have to agree with Liz.. While I've had good groups over the years, I've learned more from my online connections.
ReplyDelete