Success is Spelled S-U-P-P-O-R-Tby Marie Michelle Allen For those of you who don't know, the Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting the craft and business of writing. In other words, GDRWA is a professional writers support group. Support group? By mere definition, thanks to old Mr. Webster, the word "support" means simply "to give courage, faith or confidence" or "to help, or to comfort." Yes, the word also means to "carry or bear the weight of," but for our purposes, we'll go with the first definition. Because, in today's world, it's too easy to forget or to take for granted the people we look to for "help or comfort." Most of us know being a writer is a solitary, private thing. It has its moments but, for the most part, it's a lonely job. And, no matter how much they try to, our families and non-writer friends just don't understand the way this business works. Let's face it, some of us are still trying to find out. Perhaps that's why I joined GDRWA - an organization of professional people who share a common interest - the love of writing. I was fortunate enough to meet four wonderful people who are now, not only my critique partners, but also my friends. I consider it a privilege to be a part of their group and I can honestly say that because of them I am a much better writer. And, without them, I'd have given up a long time ago. They are my strongest supporters, biggest fans and, trust me on this, my hardest critics. Whether I want to hear it or not, they tell me when my hero's being a wimp, or that my heroine's motivation needs work. And if my conflict isn't strong enough, well, they tell me that too. But believe me, I'd much rather hear their constructive criticism than receive a "Thanks, not for us" rejection letter from an editor in New York. Wouldn't you? On a daily basis, my critique partners challenge me "to maintain a high standard of integrity, sensitivity, camaraderie and excellence." Does that sound familiar? It ought to, considering it comes directly from GDRWA's Mission Statement. Naturally, we all set and strive to achieve our own personal goals and we look for organizations like RWA/GDRWA for support in accomplishing those goals. Part of becoming a successful writer isn't necessarily selling a million copies or zooming straight to the top of the New York Times' Best Seller List (although, it would be nice), it's about understanding what it means to be part of a group of people who "support" each other's goals and dreams -- no matter how big or how small. It means listening to a friend, lending a shoulder to cry on or an ear to bend...it means not judging one another...it means offering advice when asked, or maybe keeping quiet when you'd rather not. And it also means being happy that a fellow member met her goal--whether it's writing a few pages, entering a contest, or selling her first book. So how do we define success? We don't! That isn't our job, because the definition of the word is as varied as the number of members in our organization. What we can do, however, is support and celebrate each individual's accomplishments by remembering how hard they have worked to achieve them! When she isn't working as office manager in the family business, Marie Michelle Allen is a freelance writer for a major advertising firm. She has been a member of GDRWA and RWA for over five years and recently sold her first book. The romantic cookbook.
|
       |
