Hanging with the Pros
April 25, 2007
Last Friday night, I got to hang out with a group of Chicago ACFW writers.
I tell you, I live for these monthly meetings.
This month we had a booksigning beforehand at the Barnes & Noble we hold our meetings at. Cyndy Salzmann and Judith Miller came from out of state to sign their newest releases, both set in the Chicago area. Maureen Lang, a local author signed her latest, also.
Hanging out with other writers is so much fun. We can tell each other about the voices in our heads and, instead of having them look at us in fear, they nod and say, “Me, too!”
Here’s a picture of some of our group. That’s me in the back in the white coat. In front of me is Allie Pleiter who was just nominated for a RITA award. If your not familiar with that, it’s kind of like the American book version of an Oscar.
Next to her is Cyndy Salzmann who was so sweet and gave a great devotional on starting our day with God and the Bible and letting Him set our priorities. Definitely something I needed to her.
Next to Cyndy is Judith Miller who is such a professional and really challenged me to make sure I’m treating my writing like a business. (I confess, some days I act like a SAHM — oh, wait.) No, really, it’s too easy to put off writing since there’s no publisher out there with a due date marked for my work.
Next to Judith is Maureen Lang whose first book from Tyndale is just out. I’m looking forward to reading it. We’ll be featuring it on the blog next month.
And behind Maureen is Deb Kinnard, as she puts it, the “queen of small presses.”
It’s a great group we have here in the northwest ‘burbs. I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Going it alone in the writing world is hard and, frankly, not necessary anymore with the internet. If you’re a fiction writer and you’re not a member of ACFW, you’re only hurting yourself. Join now. You won’t regret it.
Now if I can only make it another four weeks until the next writers’ meeting!
Comments
4 Responses to “Hanging with the Pros”
Looks like you all had tons of fun! I can see why you live for those meetings! Aren’t ACFWers wonderful?
Hey, Sally, you forgot some of us in the picture! That’s me poking my head in between Cyndy and Judy and next to Sally is Corky Richardson and next to her is Katie, one of our guests that evening who happened into the store, got a book signed and stayed for the meeting.
It was a great evening!
Pam
It’s great to motivated by the pros. You’re so lucky.
Okay, for the record, I did not mean to leave out anyone! Was just plugging away our pubbed writers.