Monday, May 17, 2010

Kindred Spririts

About ten months ago, I joined an online writer's group called YALITCHAT.  (See first post about taking my toys and going home) If someone would have told me that in less than a year I'd be flying halfway around the globe to meet a lady I met online, I probably would have laughed in their face.  I'm not that person.  I'm not someone who meets online friends.

I'm glad no one told me because it may have just ruined the wonderful surprise and journey of meeting a kindred spirit such as my friend, Penny.  We traded manuscripts and hit it off, finding many things in common outside of our writer's world.  Fast forward a few months, both of us joining a crit group with a bunch of equally awesome ladies, and an it had to be in the cards surprise trip to Paris with a train ride to England and you've got the perfect mix for friendship to flourish.

Now, to be honest, my little sister was a bit worried about me heading off to a foreign country to visit a lady I'd only met online.  She said, "If you wake up in an ice-bath missing a kidney, don't say I didn't warn you."  Point taken.  I'm glad to say I came back with both kidneys intact.  Not to mention had a wonderful time with Penny and her lovely family.

Meeting someone through their writing is more than just meeting someone online in a chat group.  Writers pour their heart and creative energy into their work and no matter what the story is about, a piece of them will always remain.  I didn't think I got into these online groups and crit group to make new friends. Yet at the end of the day, you just have to be open to friendship no matter where it comes from.  I'm certainly glad I was.  Thanks to these new friends I've learned a heap about writing, the industry and ultimately myself.

Like always, I've taken the scenic route to this realization. Next up on the agenda will be learning how to mingle these two worlds of mine - the writers and the rest of my life.  Stay tuned for more adventures along the winding road to doing the things the long way.

9 comments:

  1. Let's face it, your kidneys are about shot anyway...what with all the booze. I'm glad you made a new friend, but hardly surprised you had to fly half-way around the world to find one. ;-)

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  2. What a great story! Congratulations on connecting via YALITCHAT. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

    xoxo-
    Georgia McBride

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  3. Nice story :)
    I'd love to meet any of my online friends, and travel like you did.
    It's a special thing, making these friends specially if you've traded MSs with them. I'm positive these friendships last forever.

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  4. Love this post! Only another writer understands... But to connect with a kindred writing spirit across the pond is truly a gift. May we all find such a friend. I can see Georgia beaming for you.

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  5. We bare so much of ourselves in our writing and it's even better when we connect beyond that. Really great post Min.

    Glad you were able to spend time with such a wonderful friend.

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  6. I just joined that site...but don't know how to use it. Haha!

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  7. I can relate. I used to judge people for spending so much time on line talking with their "friends" but I have to say, I have *met* some of the most wonderful people through my writers groups and blog. I myself am planning a trip to Jersey to meet one of them. It's amazing how many people out there have like minds. I would have never guessed that I would feel so supported, encouraged and loved through the internet, but it has been a blessing to my writing journey.

    Thank you for sharing your experience.

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  8. Taking that trip took courage, and it sounds like you've made an amazing friend.

    I'm constantly surprised and impressed by the generous nature of our writer friends.

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  9. Wow. Thank you everyone for all the lovely comments! I've never considered myself part of a "community" before (well outside of where I live of course) but I found a new home with other writers. And everyone's wonderful thoughts just reaffirm I'm where I am supposed to be.

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