Where Would I Be ....

Without the Blenheim Writers Group?

 Lovecat in the wild Barbara Deleo, Elizabeth King, Deborah Shattock, Nadine Taylor, Kate David, and our out of town member, Lovecat Louisa George make up this wonderful group.

These women are my lifeline when my writing world is in turmoil. Not going to mention how often that is. We meet regularly, as well as have writing weekends in a cottage that sits in the middle of vineyards, and at Christmas we indulge in cocktails and laugh over the goals we set in January. Louisa joins us for a weekend whenever she can fit it in.

But it's the regular meetings that I appreciate the most.
We celebrate.
















      We commiserate.












We laugh, sometimes cry, complain and applaud.
We brainstorm plots and black moments, settings and heroes for each other.
Did I mention talking? It never stops.
The list goes on, but it all comes down to this:

We support each other to the max.

There are other people in my life who are always there for me. My family share my excitement, the days when I type THE END, my tantrums, the frustrations, and the wonder of another sale - and especially the champagne.

But the Blenheim girls are more than that. Because they know what it's like to be an author. Whether they're published or not, they are living with the ups and downs of being an author, with the stories in their heads that have to come out, the solitude of sitting for endless hours with only those characters to talk to. (Who said I'm not whacko and need locking up?)
And yes, they share the champagne too. I mean, why wouldn't they?

Romance Writers of New Zealand and Romance Writers of Australia are other important groups I've belonged to for a long time and where I've met some amazing people, including all the Lovecats. I've made some wonderful friends, and we keep in touch all year round, catching up at the annual conferences. The infrastructure of these organisations is very supportive and sharing as well.
If it weren't for these groups I wouldn't have met one of our gorgeous Lovecats who went out of her way to help me years back before I was published. Her generosity and big heart cut a few years off my trying-to sell time. In case she gets swamped with MS's I'll keep her name to myself but she's my star.

But the Blenheim Girls come first. We're there for the day to day stuff. We know each other well. That was brought home to me this week when I was questioning my career. The things Barb pointed out made me realise how well we have come to know each other when it comes to this writing world. That's precious. I wouldn't be as strong without these wonderful women supporting me.

Do you have a special group supporting you in something dear to you?