Friday, July 1, 2011

New site: Writers Support 4U!!

Over the last month or so, I've read many posts and chatted with a few of you about life, writing, and blogging. What purpose does blogging hold?

When I started Writers' Ally, it was at the advisement of my 1st official CP, Marcy. Originally, it was to chronicle my writing journey with her but soon it became more. And with more, my ideas grew and changed and so did the purpose for the Alleyway. I wanted it to become a place where authors, illustrators, and publishing gurus could share their experiences both in life and writing, letting others know they are not alone. And I'm thankful for Writers' Ally's evolution. She'll be open for a long time; however...

{It took me forever to decide how to write this post. Finally, I decided to just be me.}

As time moves forward and I continue to grow as a writer, I find the act of balancing daily life and writing more difficult. This doesn't mean one has to give, only that it's time to reevaluate, restructure.

As the mother of four growing children, who now span three separate schools, life has gotten more complicated. My writing/creation time has been chopped into bits here and snippets there. I'm eternally grateful for each of you and every new writing opportunity that has found its way to me over the last few months. Doors have been opening and I need to take every advantage of them. The final polishing on MARKED BEAUTY needs to be done as does plunging into the querying world, finishing a 1st draft of my MG series, and sending out a few picture books. So, I've decided to take a step back from blogging for the summer.

Do you remember this POST, where I praised ROW80 and talked about the difference between a Support writing group and CPs? Some of you indicated you'd be interested in joining a Writing Group, who's sole purpose is to support each other, giving shout-outs throughout the week on FB or twitter and sharing updates/successes on WIPs, even writing a weekly post to include personal writing/life goals.

Well, I--along with C.Lee McKenzieMargo Berendsen, & Susan Kaye Quinn--have created a group called SUPPORT WRITERS 4U! on Facebook. If I haven't already invited you, head on over and click to be a member. LOVE, love, love to have you. The more support we all share the smoother our roads to publication and beyond will be. Feel free to take the little logo I created and post it on your blogs with a link. Thank you in advance!!

So, I want to leave you with this thought for the summer.

"I've always been a writer, even when the words didn't hit the page." This quote is from Cher Green, who was interviewed over on Surrounded by Books. It got me thinking about what's lead me up to this point in my writing journey. So often, over the last three years, I've been down on myself, feeling like I should have started writing again years ago. "Look how much time I've wasted. Look what I could have been doing."

But really, every event in my life prior to making the commitment to become a professional novelist/writer/word nark is part of my writing journey. I wouldn't be creating the worlds and characters I am now without my life before the writing thoughts. This is MY journey, and I must embrace it and be thankful for it. Accepting that truth is empowering.

And YOU have your writing road, too. Though different than mine, it's yours and only yours. There is no right or wrong, no special way to become the next hit author.

You must accept your path for what it is, embrace it, and hone your craft, loving what you do. You must live life, letting each and every moment mold and caress you, and you will become all you can be.

I will miss you over the next month and a half. I'll return the second week of August but to blog sporadically for that month. Don't forget to become a part of Writers Support 4 U! We'll stay in touch throughout the summer and beyond, supporting and cheering each other on! Our twitter hashtag is #WS4U.


Here's a smaller logo:

Happy Summer Alleywalkers!! Don't forget to wear SUNSCREEN!!


(WINNERS: a copy of Christine Fonseca's book 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids goes to ~ Ingrid Dallal Fratz!! & a First Five Page Critique goes to ~ Nicole Zoltack!! Congrats!)
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45 comments:

  1. Have a wonderful summer, Sheri! We'll miss you too! PS: great idea about the FB group and thanks for inviting me! :o) XOXO

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  2. Have a great summer!! Thanks for inviting me to the FB group. It's already pumping my spirits. Great idea. When I read your thoughts on how you wished you had started your journey earlier in life, I thought, "That's totally me." I was down on myself for a while of why did I wait so long, but you're right, sometimes our paths are meant to travel down certain roads we can't control.
    Thanks and have a wonderful summer!

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  3. Hope you get a lot of writing done. Sometimes we all need to take a break. I can relate to getting down on yourself. Mine is not producing more finished books.

    I tried to click to be a member of the group but not sure it worked. Can you invite me? Thanks.

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  4. Have a great summer! Sorry I'm not on Facebook, or I would join.

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  5. Hi, Sheri! I hope you find your break from blogging rejuvenating! I know how it feels to be pulled in many different directions. Now that I'm off for the summer, I thought I would have oodles of time to do EVERYTHING. And yet today, I cannot decide whether to read more blogs, look at last night's revisions, read the new Gail Carriger book that I pre-ordered on Kindle and which showed up today, or write next week's blog posts. How can there be less time than there was before???

    I will definitely check out the FB group!

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  6. This. Is. AWESOME! Gotta go check it out. :)

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  7. Your WS4U is sheer genius! And YES we all have to follow our paths, which means truly embracing it. No guilt! No regrets! Those things just weigh you down. Keep going!!

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  8. Have a wonderful summer. I've been taking more time to write myself. You'll be glad you did. Your words were truly what I needed to hear. Thanks.

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  9. Have a great summer! We'll miss you. Thanks for the support.

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  10. We'll miss you too but I'll look for you on your new Facebook group (a fantastic idea by the way!). Have a wonderful summer.

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  11. I can certainly relate to having to take time off from blogging. Enjoy that time, make the best of it!

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  12. I think taking a break from blogging is smart when you have so many other commitments. Besides, the goal should be writing. If blogging's making it harder to do, then I say a vacation is the best fix.

    The FB page seems great. I'm going to ask to join!

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  13. Wow, four kids. I thought I had it rough with three in three different schools. Sounds like a great group. I'll go check it out. :)

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  14. Looks terrific, I'll check it out.

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  15. Have a wonderful, productive break, Sheri! Looking forward to seeing you back here in August.

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  16. Very awesome! Have a great break!!

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  17. Fantastic idea! I love how supportive writers are. Happy summer to you, too. :)

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  18. Thanks so much for the invite! I'm there...
    Here's to a great holiday weekend!

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  19. Have a great, productive, fun and memorable summer! I'll miss you!

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  20. Have a great summer! I'm taking a break from blogging this summer as well, though I hope to still get in some writing when I can.

    Thanks for the invite to the FB group - I'm on my way over there right now to check it out!

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  21. Enjoy your summer and doing the writing you need to do. We all need a break when we feel stuck in a rut. Follow your heart.

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  22. What a fab idea! I've asked to join the FB group. :)

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  23. I hope you have a fun and productive summer! I'll check out the new FB site. It sounds great. :)

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  24. Love the support group--I've requested an invite. :)

    Happy 4th!

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  25. Nothing like a break from blogging to re-energize you. Enjoy your time away. I hope you get a lot of writing and editing done! :)

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  26. Love the idea of a support group and have swung over to FB to ask to join.
    Have a great summer, and I'll be doing the same - taking a break from blogging to focus on writing, family, and taking a much needed breather while I figure out how to promote a book!

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  27. I hear ya. I think a lot of us have cut way back this summer. Blogging can be a hard thing to juggle under CALM circumstances...and summer is rarely ever calm.

    Doh, too bad the group is on Facebook -- I'm a Twitter girl!

    Good luck with your polishing and writing and querying this summer!

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  28. What a great idea! I just love the positive message in this post. And you are so right... we have to take steps back sometimes and refocus on what the biggest priority is. I'm happy for you. It's a smart decision, and you'll be a better writer for it.
    Checking out your new link now!! Have a wonderful summer!

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  29. I applaud you for your courage in stepping back, reevaluating, and taking the steps you need for this part of your journey. May I say, what an amazing post! Have a fun-filled and productive summer.

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  30. I think we all kind of go on hiatus for the summer. I'm not on Facebook anymore so I won't be joining that group, but hopefully we'll still stay in contact through email. Have a great break!!

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  31. have an awesome summer! Enjoy! Heading over to your FB. My invitation got lost in the email, eh? LOL

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  32. I'm sorry I haven't got the logo posted on my blog yet but i will right away! Thanks for this inspirational post. I loved that quote, too.

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  33. This is such a great idea! I'm clicking over now. I've thought the same thing you have...why didn't I start sooner? But it's great that we DID start. No regrets now, right?

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  34. I have sent my request to officially join the Facebook group. I hope you accept me!

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  35. Your group sounds awesome. I needed a lift today as I have been struggling with a couple of different manuscripts. Thanks for your encouraging words.

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  36. Hi, Sheri! I've just discovered your blog, and your group sounds wonderful. I'd love to join! What a great idea. I loved this post, and I wish you much success with your writing over the summer!

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  37. Hi Sheri! I hope you are having a wonderful summer. :) I'm starting to submit some of my pb's too.

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  38. I just stumbled across your blog. I'm loving it. Have a wonderful summer. Happy writing!
    www.rebeccabany.com

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  39. I'm definitely checking it out since all of you girls are my blogging friends.

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  40. Have a wonderful and productive summer. I'm rarely on Facebook unless my kids or certain relatives have something to share with me. Maybe I'll check out WS4U.

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  41. I see your facebook updates and it sounds like your kids keep you nice and busy! :) I know the siren call of family all too well!

    I hope your summer has been going great!

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  42. I'm so happy to hear from so many of you! Hello - to any new Alleywalkers! Great to have you here.

    ~Happy Summer~

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  43. hi miss sheri! i hope youre having a funtastical summer! for me im not on facebook so im not gonna be in that cool group. i wish i could cause it sounds soooo cool. see you real soon and cant wait to hear bout all you did when you were gone.
    ...hugs from lenny

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  44. ok, I miss my writer's ally. Where you at sheri?;)

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