All this week, as we have welcomed and introduced Gretchen, in the back of my mind, I couldn't help thinking:
I hope this isn't hard for her.
As nice and welcoming and sweet as all of us Tollboothers are, it is never easy to join a group, to become part of something bigger, especially if it is already up and running.
Why is that?
Is it because when we are solo, we get to make all the decisions?
Is it because a group has an energy and force of its own--that sometimes you cannot predict?
Is it because we all have something at stake? Friendship? Books? Reputation?
We writers often claim to be solitary folk. We are shy. We don't always like conflict (even though we do nothing but write about it!!!) We say we don't like going out on a limb in public, even though, when our books go out into the world, that's exactly what we do!!! One of the funniest but meaningful things anyone ever told me: Sending out your manuscript is like going on a blind date....naked.
So why do we do it?
Why do we join crit groups, join blog teams, get together for retreats and seminars?
Obviously, we need each other. No book gets written alone. This universe is a whole lot easier when you have a group of writing buddies to celebrate, cry, stomp their feet, and chat with you! Maybe we are not so shy!!!
Maybe we are like penguins!!!
(Remember the penguin movie????)
Q of the Day: What is a penguin who thinks they know a better way, who goes off on his own across the ice, away from the group?
(Squeamish writers cover your eyes!!!)
Answer: it's a dead penguin!
We writers know this!!! Together we are better writers. We have more fun. We are more successful!
So from one penguin to another....
WELCOME TO THE TOLLBOOTH!!!
We are delighted to have you! You make us stronger and more interesting.
Note: I did have a few questions for Gretchen, most of which have been answered. But not this one. This is a question I always want to ask, but no one has answered with quite this much humor! (And I like that!)
A: Unfortunately, yes. And unfortunately, I still do. I'm no Raschka.
Thanks Gretchen!!! Again....
-Sarah Aronson
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