The Writing Community

The writing community, I have noticed for a long time, is one of the nicest communities you'll ever come to know. I began writing seriously about three, four years ago, when I started my first novel, KILLER OF KILLERS. I used the internet to look up everything I could about writing and the publishing world. I read Donald Maass's book and discovered Nathan Bransford's blog, as well as several others. And I am astonished at how selfless people in this business really are. They're so giving and generous in their willingness to share their knowledge. And wow, has that knowledge helped me as I've soaked it up over the years.

Make no mistake, the teaching community is a great one, too, especially at Monroe where I've been teaching for the past eleven years, but you know what? It's not the same at every school. I have taught at some schools where the sense of belonging, or plain old good will just wasn't there. And I just haven't seen that happen with writers. It's like we're all in this together and we empathize with each other every step of the way.

I am so glad I decided to write. It's the best thing in the world, and the people are the best. Hands down.