• About
  • Bio
  • Fantasy Snippets
  • Gracarin Map
  • Regency Snippets

historyfanforever

historyfanforever

Tag Archives: essays

More Than Friends

06 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by mlrover in Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

blogging, books, critique, editing, essays, fantasy, friendship, horror, inspiration, mystery, opinion, publishing, regency, romance, thriller, writing, YA

Just finished another exquisite blog post by Rachel R. Roberts, author, playwright, educator, and essayist. Poignacy and nostalgia embue every sentence. There is an elegance to her writing stemming from her personality, as lilting and gentle as her voice. I hear her as I read, the syrup-smooth glide of her southern cadence. The prose is so lyric and grammar always perfect. I can see her blushing as she reads this, her head slightly turned away with modesty that is natural and unaffected. I’ve always admired that in certain women, specifically those who are sincere with that response. I have none of that and often feel like a clod when in the company of Rachel, the epitome of  the gracious, southern lady. Her writing has the same even grace, while layered with so much left unwritten and yet clearly stated. I feel so lucky to hear her comments when she can attend our writing group. She never fails to find a bit of encouragement, is perceptive and kind when it comes to critiquing. Which brings me to the writing group itself, Summit City Scribes, or as we call ourselves, just plain ole Scribes.

The group ranges from ten to twenty members, fluctuating with each bi-monthly meeting. The rules are simple—fifteen minutes to read, the reader is not allowed to comment until after all the members make their remarks, which goes around the table one by one, starting with something complimentary then the opinion, suggestions, or critique.

Members are an eclectic bunch covering a wide variety of genres in fiction and non. It’s heartening for this reader to hear that the work just read held the attention of those having no interest in the genre but that it did hold their interest. If it’s a romance, that’s a big deal to hear from men who write about hiking, or a jounalist, a former cop, or the guy writing a gritty murder mystery. I remember the terror the first time I read to the group almost twenty years ago. Nowadays, I can’t wait to hear what they have to say and often use everything they suggest.

There are so many wonderful writers in this group, and since joining, I’ve found more than encouragement and instruction. The women are clever, bold and goal-oriented. The men are clear-sighted and true gentlemen, which is a lot to be said in this day and age. When my husband passed, Scribes were there, surrounding me like a bastion, determined to hold me up and see me through. They did and have through so many disappointments and set backs, writing and personal. I also scored with another of my favorite writers, my critique partner, Judy Post aka Judi Lynn. She is the fearless leader for Scribes and takes the role seriously, encouraging and touting us like a fierce mother hen. Uh, no. More like a valkyrie. Even though I dread the work involved in rewrites, I get a shiver of excitement when getting back pages from Judy drenched in red ink. She loves to write mystery, so she finds all the plot defects.

I’m including blog sites to illustrate how we differ as writers. I’ve always loved differences, how much there is to glean from another POV. I’ve learned so much from Scribes, wouldn’t have any of the craft or successes without them. Check out their blogs, you’ll see what I mean about how we differ, and because of that, learn, and more importantly, apply.

Rachel S. Roberts

https://www.rachelsroberts.com/blog/naked-ladies

Judith Post/Judi Lynn

https://writingmusings.com/2018/08/04/just-keep-writing/#comments

Kathy Palm

https://findingfaeries.wordpress.com

I’ve added a former Scribes member, Les Edgerton. (Won’t list his credentials  because it goes on for miles.) He has a terrific blog and an amazing new book out.

http://lesedgertononwriting.blogspot.com/2018/08/preordering-available-for-adrenaline.html?spref=tw

So much to learn, so little time.

M.L Rigdon (aka Julia Donner)

Follow on Twitter @RigdonML

Blog: https://historyfanforever.wordpress.com/

Website http://www.MLRigdon.com

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julia-donner

https://www.facebook.com/Julia-Donner-697165363688218/timeline

 

 

 

Advertisement

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Blogs I Follow

  • The Bump and Grind of Daily Life
  • Entertaining Stories
  • Hollywood Genes
  • Hannes van Eeden
  • LIVING THE DREAM
  • Sharing
  • Happiness Between Tails by da-AL
  • Edge of Humanity Magazine
  • BRAINCHILD
  • Dr. Eric Perry’s Coaching Blog
  • Bombay Ficus
  • Harmony Books & Films, LLC
  • Facets of a Muse
  • Myths of the Mirror
  • Ailish Sinclair
  • Book 'Em, Jan O
  • The Godly Chic Diaries
  • Staci Troilo
  • The Observation Post
  • From the Pen of Mae Clair

Archives

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

http://writingmusings.com/

  • The Bump and Grind of Daily Life
  • Entertaining Stories
  • Hollywood Genes
  • Hannes van Eeden
  • LIVING THE DREAM
  • Sharing
  • Happiness Between Tails by da-AL
  • Edge of Humanity Magazine
  • BRAINCHILD
  • Dr. Eric Perry’s Coaching Blog
  • Bombay Ficus
  • Harmony Books & Films, LLC
  • Facets of a Muse
  • Myths of the Mirror
  • Ailish Sinclair
  • Book 'Em, Jan O
  • The Godly Chic Diaries
  • Staci Troilo
  • The Observation Post
  • From the Pen of Mae Clair

Blog at WordPress.com.

The Bump and Grind of Daily Life

Thoughts courtesy of Dee's brain.

Entertaining Stories

Just a fiction writer, trying to reach the world.

Hollywood Genes

🌸 Zoe K Blogs about Old Hollywood and Genealogy 🌸

Hannes van Eeden

LIVING THE DREAM

FOR A NEW TOMORROW

Sharing

Happiness Between Tails by da-AL

Writing/Tales + Tails + Culture + Compassion

Edge of Humanity Magazine

An Independent Non-Discriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations

BRAINCHILD

gehadsjourney.wordpress.com

Dr. Eric Perry’s Coaching Blog

Motivate | Inspire | Uplift

Bombay Ficus

Running, Writing, Real Life Experiences & Relatable Content.

Harmony Books & Films, LLC

Tired of being ordinary, then here are some tips for becoming extraordinary.

Facets of a Muse

Examining the guiding genius of writers everywhere

Myths of the Mirror

Life is make believe, fantasy given form

Ailish Sinclair

Stories and photos from Scotland

Book 'Em, Jan O

Ghosts, Tall Tales & Witty Haiku!

The Godly Chic Diaries

BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Staci Troilo

Character-Driven Fiction/Pulse-Pounding Plots

The Observation Post

mistermuse, half-poet and half-wit

From the Pen of Mae Clair

Mystery and Suspense, Folklore and Legends

The Bump and Grind of Daily Life

Thoughts courtesy of Dee's brain.

Entertaining Stories

Just a fiction writer, trying to reach the world.

Hollywood Genes

🌸 Zoe K Blogs about Old Hollywood and Genealogy 🌸

Hannes van Eeden

LIVING THE DREAM

FOR A NEW TOMORROW

Sharing

Happiness Between Tails by da-AL

Writing/Tales + Tails + Culture + Compassion

Edge of Humanity Magazine

An Independent Non-Discriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations

BRAINCHILD

gehadsjourney.wordpress.com

Dr. Eric Perry’s Coaching Blog

Motivate | Inspire | Uplift

Bombay Ficus

Running, Writing, Real Life Experiences & Relatable Content.

Harmony Books & Films, LLC

Tired of being ordinary, then here are some tips for becoming extraordinary.

Facets of a Muse

Examining the guiding genius of writers everywhere

Myths of the Mirror

Life is make believe, fantasy given form

Ailish Sinclair

Stories and photos from Scotland

Book 'Em, Jan O

Ghosts, Tall Tales & Witty Haiku!

The Godly Chic Diaries

BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Staci Troilo

Character-Driven Fiction/Pulse-Pounding Plots

The Observation Post

mistermuse, half-poet and half-wit

From the Pen of Mae Clair

Mystery and Suspense, Folklore and Legends

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • historyfanforever
    • Join 134 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • historyfanforever
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: