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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

"I get high with a little help from my friends..."







This post is dedicated to my writers' group and my blog-world friends who constantly amaze me with their support and encouragement. The awards above came recently to me, courtesy of Cheryl and Shadow. Thank you ladies, these symbols of friendship will support me for many months.
The Bandon group, pictured above in an unclassical pose, is the group that knows me best, knows my frustrations, my limitations, my ambitions. Each of us has gained immensely from participating in the group; and in turn, we have influenced others too.
My friend Lilly Mars presented a long essay to the group, in response to a prompt about what we learned from each other. Here is an excerpt from her essay, with her permission.
"What I learned in Monday School.
"In his book, The Courage to Write, Ralph Keyes claims: 'The esprit of good writers' group resembles that of neighbors battling a hurricane. Everyone is in equal jeopardy. Shared danger forges a bond...Writers' gatherings of all kinds are, or at least ought to be, settings where we learn not so much HOW to write but how to DARE to write. No single task is more important to the process of becoming a writer.'
"...I have arrived feeling doubtful and hopeful and anxious and proud. I have skipped aerobics class because I did not want to show up sweaty. I have been late because of the nocturnal pestilence of words, words, words. Emily Dickinson has shown up at 3 A.M. accusing me of plagiarism and demanding a credit line. I have laughed and cried along with members of the group. I have listened to many pieces of noteworthy writing, and also some gobbledygook. I have watched many lovely people come and go, three of whom have passed away. This is the only place I know where I can be with people who get passionate about semi-colons. These are the only folks who call me Lilly."
Lilly's words, (not her real name), reflect much of my sentiments. Every Monday I feel doubtful and hopeful and anxious and proud. Yet, after those two hours hearing others' words, sharing my thoughts, struggling to learn how to improve the output, struggling to keep my ego tucked safely away, I return home exhausted and elated. I have never felt more alive, more understood.
Thank you Lilly for capturing that feeling so well.
I wish for all of you who aspire to write, to have friends like these.










45 comments:

janis said...

You are so Blessed! I love reading your blog, I feel I know you. Blog World is a great place for me. I hope that one day I make more time for myself and join a writers group. How wonderful that would be! I am so glad you check up on me. especially since I have been crazy busy and MIA a bit. To see your comments always brightens my day to know that you care enough to read & comment. Thank you so much. I will try to visit you more often too! Things are starting to get back to normal... for now..

Lori ann said...

What an uplifting post Rosaria. Glad that you have such a supportive group and how kind of you to wish that for everyone else.

And, heh! you got your awards and all up on your post too, excellent. Congratulations on those, they are well deserved.

Beth said...

How sweet! I wish there was a writer's group around town for me (probably there is a group so my real wish is for time).

Sounds like you have some great friends.

Susan said...

It sounds like a great group. Lilly Mars is a good name; she expresses it very well.
(semi-colon alert!)

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Congratulazioni, Maestra per i tuoi meritati premi!

What a great group, the Bandon. I bet your eyes twinkle as you write about them. Inspiring and uplifting, yes.

This was a particularly happy mood-setting post, Rosaria. Brava!

Ciao

Pyzahn said...

Very provocative title, Rosaria. I saw it pop up and wondered, "Hmmm, what could this be?"

Another tribute to the wonderful folks in your life. The writers group sound delightful. You seem to attract very loving people into you life.

Fire Byrd said...

Friends make the dark nights, light. And the light times, bliss
xx

Anonymous said...

Yes, Rosaria - our group provides the best support and the best darned criticism available. I feel so lucky to be a part of it, accepted as a person and as a writer. We all bring something to the mix, don't we? I'm so glad you and Lily are in the soup with me.

m said...

I like the idea of your blog here.
Glad to see you are making "retirement" a more meaningful period than simply putting golf balls around the green each day1 :)

Bogey said...

It sounds like a very pleasant and supportive group. What a nice way to be encouraged as well as encourage others in a similar passion. Congrats on your new Awards; always deserved.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I'm so glad you found a supportive writing group!

xxx said...

I cannot begin to imagine life without friends.... it would be an impossible journey.

thank you for sharing this uplifting tale of friendship.

best wishes
always Ribbon

PS... nice to see the dove of peace

Sarah Lulu said...

Sounds like a wonderful group and congratulations on your awards.

Tessa said...

What a wonderful group of creative, like-minded people....a bit like our blog world, don't you think? Your friend Lilly's words about what you had all learned from each other carry such resonance. Thank you so much, lakeviewer, for sharing that with us. You are truly an inspiration to many of your readers and I, for one, feel really honoured to 'know' you.

Congratulations, too, on your awards. So very well deserved in every way.

I've been so tardy in catching up with my friends' recent posts and not least yours, so I'm off now to meander around your wonderful blog for a while. Always a delight - and often a learning process (which I love!)

Reasons said...

What a wonderful, supportive and enjoyable group to share time and words with. Long may it continue.

Polly said...

Friends are one of the greatest things in this world, online or not. And the last weekend at the blog camp proved that you can actually meet real friends through blogs!

Thanks

Polly (a friend in London)

Shadow said...

now that's a group worth belonging to...

Reya Mellicker said...

Wow! Those are great friends, Rosaria.

Writing is a foundational part of my being. I know there are folks who are not writers. Instead they dance or sing or play instruments or tell stories or do some other wonderful thing. But I can't imagine a life without writing. Wow.

Brian Miller said...

great post. loved the excerpt! your title gave me the giggles...err...lol. it's great to have such friends to warm the heart.

Renee said...

I love your Bandon group Rosaria. I love mostly how you all support each other. Always striving to rise to a higher level.

Love Renee xoxo

Valerie said...

I used to love attending a writers group and always came away feeling I'd achieved something worthwhile.
Congratulations on the awards.

m said...

tehy "bark" at you? Wha? Sorry, not getting you on that comment you left on my blog.

Pyzahn said...

Rosaria...I have glitterized you! Lots of sparkle. Send me your email address and I will forward to you.

pyzahn@hotmail.com

me said...

Wow. Congratulations on your awards. =)

Sarah Laurence said...

You are lucky to have such a wonderfully supportive group and time to write.

Woman in a Window said...

Rosario, I have no such group in the flesh but your constant support has buoyed me. I thank you. Support goes a long way!

Maggie May said...

Great to have a group like that. Sort of like an extended family!

Michel said...

What a great post! And I'm glad you have such a great group to hang with on this!!

PS I can't write back to your comments on my blog b/c you have it set to no-reply comment. I gots stuff to tell you man!!!

Dave King said...

Heart-warming. There's little to add to what has already been said, but the number of comments says it all.

Unknown said...

How wonderful to have such great friends who inspire you and each other!

Renee said...

Rosaria I am laughing my head off to myself.

Remember that time when people wouldn't comment or whatever and you basically yelled at everyone to get it together. har har har

And you had us all whipped into shape in no time flat.

Love Renee xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Left something for you over at my place. Hope you can pick it up soon.
Jane

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Writing partners are indeed valuable. And Dare to Suck. That's my motto.

Thanks for visiting me. Come back again. I hope to get back into the writing mode and work on my novel next week.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Just in case you missed it - I left an award at my place for you ~ not sure whether you saw it but thanks for your kind comment ~ Eddie

angela recada said...

How truly blessed you are to have found such a group, and for them to have found you, too, of course.

I especially enjoyed when you wrote:

"This is the only place I know where I can be with people who get passionate about semi-colons."

and

"I have never felt more alive, more understood."

Truly wonderful and rare!

Kerri said...

Thanks for stopping by bookends today. Feel free to join our reading groups - we're always looking for new recruits. I usually post the book selection the first or second of the month and then we have discussion questions or writing blurbs at the end of the month. We also rotate through group members suggestions for books. My email is in my profile if you wanted more information. Your writing group sounds amazing!!

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Great that you have friends to share with...such a blessing. <3

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Cool post on your writers' group! & you live in one of my favorite states.

Natalie said...

Wonderful to see your awards, and the fact that you have found some 'like-minded souls who make your heart sing'. Lovely,lovely.xx♥

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Loved your comment today, thanks for coming by as always... I am so glad you found my blog. smiles

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Rosaria, As can be readily seen by the response to this post - you have touched the heart and quest - to be known, to express, to understand, to be ones own truth. You are held in celebration! Best always, Rose Marie

Renee said...

Darling friend, you know I have no idea where I get anything. har har

xxoxo

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

I came to your blog from Cynthia's OWL and enjoyed your writing AND the photos of Oregon...I miss it and will go back when I retire, too...

vicki archer said...

What inspiring words from that essay...and how fortunate you are to be part of such a great group. Write on and on....xv

sallymandy said...

Thanks, R. Sage words about writing groups. There seems to be nothing quite like the desire to publish and share that with others.

When I was a new mother living on an Air Force base in Alaska--and lonely--I was invited to participate in a wonderful group in Fairbanks. It made that episode in my life so much better.