Blogger: Wendy Lawton
We often talk about how important it is to have writing cohorts, a faith community and even a strong friendship base as a writer. Too often our work is solitary. We need people around us, even if it is a social media circle. Love and support can come through many different channels.
We, at Books & Such, definitely practice what we preach. We have deep friendships and relationships within the professional publishing community. We have the very best circle of clients any agency could boast– and not just based on sales and standing. Our clients make an effort to stay connected to each other and to us. The strength of our agency comes in large part from them. But we are connected to each other– the six of us– five agents and Michelle, our office guru.
Every Friday we gather together via video conferencing and spend a couple of hours talking about our wins, our concerns and our questions. We talk about us, about you, about our clients and about editors and publishing. We also hold each other accountable for the work. We report sales and where we are in relation to our goals. We also talk about how many proposals went out that week.
In addition, Janet, our august leader, calls each agent every week for a one-on-one intensive. In the beginning it is a deep mentoring call that gradually morphs into time of brainstorming and, sometimes, just a mutual gripe session. The result is a team that is close and all pulling in the same direction. A team of agents who are also friends and sisters. We’ve experienced strength in numbers.
Take this weekend. We had our almost-annual get-together in Santa Rosa. I drove to Oakland to pick up Cynthia Ruchti at the airport, coming with mounds of luggage from a writing conference and the Christy Awards (where she was a finalist and a presenter). Rachelle flew into San Jose where she is now at the Leverage Conference. She rented a car and drove up to Santa Rosa. Rachel, Janet and Michelle all live in Santa Rosa and work out of the Santa Rosa office.
We got there in time for a wonderful dinner at a great Italian restaurant housed in a nineteenth-century Victorian. Because of our weekly meetings we feel as if we are together often but it was great to get hugs and share stories. We had decided on a slumber party this gathering so some went to sleep at Michelle’s and some to Janet’s. We had a California breakfast at Michelle’s (that means fruit so beautiful it looks like a magazine shoot, fresh yogurt and everything else).
We met at a picturesque winery/lavender farm for our new photo shoot. The vines were turning color, the olive trees were filled with ripening olives and the acres of lavender plants scented the air. That was part of the picture. It was sobering to see the blackened hills behind the winery reaching within feet of the tasting room and lavender barns. The sommelier told us that the closest burns were backfires, carefully lit by the firefighters to save the winery. Our photo shoot was nothing less than fun. Could it have something to do with the tasting room? Not really. It’s just that we were looking at beauty against the heartbreaking scar of devastation and being together we again experienced strength in numbers. We even took our first agency selfie.
We spent the day in meetings– talking about the new website, some potentially exciting plans *wink, wink,* our blog, our clients and our dreams and goals. The day was punctuated by lunch, not to mention afternoon tea and shortbread. (We do know how to enjoy life, don’t we?) That night we ended with a fabulous dinner at an amazing restaurant. The food was memorable from the amuse bouche all the way through dessert and the champagne to toast Rachel and Rachelle’s ten-year anniversary as agents and Cynthia’s Christy finalist award. It was again sobering to have to drive through the once stunning Fountaingrove neighborhood on the way home. Piles of ash where families should have been enjoying their Saturday night dinners.
Janet wrote about the fires yesterday. Don’t miss her blog. We sensed the fragile state of residents in the wine country and were glad we were there to experience it first hand and add generously to the economy through our food adventures. Every street corner is peppered with hand written signs thanking the first responders. We watched a community displaying strength in numbers.
It was a wonderful weekend. As we travel back to our offices we are thankful for each other. This long hugs, prayers and “I love you”s will last a long time. And, of course, we’ll be seeing each other this Friday.
How about you? Do you experience strength in numbers? Who are your “people?”
Loved this, Wendy. Just so heartwarming!
* My people are this community, right here, and I love you all so much that it feels like my heart cannot contain the emotion. Your faces are the stars in God’s firmament, riding abroad over a dark landscape of pain, lamps unto my halting feet, and your words are the loving whisper of the Almighty, giving me the strength to carry on for another day, or another hour.
* When you get to Heaven, look for the pub that seems to be playing host to an indoor game of no-rules rugby. If you can make it to the bar uninjured (drop to the floor and crawl; mind the broken glass), I’m buying.
You give new meaning to “pub crawl” and a host of other words, Andrew. You’re buying? Ha!
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1).
We’ll meet you there. And we’re not crawling. I’m confident that God will part the crowd like he parted the Red Sea–we’re headed your way, tough guy, with hugs and laughter.
Looking forward to that, Shirlee! (And I love the verse from isaiah!)
I love your way with words! And no-rules rugby? I just laughed out loud. That sounds like my house when my boys get home from school
Crystal, thank you! No-rules rugby is pretty familiar in my home – we have a sanctuary for abandoned and abused Pit Bulls, and they are very friendly…though rather kinetic. There are paw-prints on the walls, higher than you might have thought possible.
I’ve already made plans to come say hello to you in person when I get to heaven, Andrew. Thanks for letting me know where to find you. 😉
Jeanne, look for the noisiest part of the bar, where the barstools and bottles are flying…and there are dogs a’barkin’. That’ll be me.
Fun, Andrew! I’ll be on the look out!
You are so special to me.
As you are special to me, dear Shelli. Your bright and humble faith has been my guide through many a dark day.
Your brave and poetic soul blesses each and every one of us.
Teresa, your words honour me so! 🙂
Dear Andrew, you are a one-of-a-kind for sure, and I mean that in the dearest sense. For a man who has terminal cancer you sure speak a lot of life and I love your honesty. AND, along with other reasons, I absolutely believe God brought you and Barb your very own over the blog nurse! It has been such a joy to me. You are a brain stretcher and a heart hugger!
Elizabeth, thank you so much! And I do believe that we have met through this medium for a very real God-driven reason. You have become such a blessing in our lives, and I look forward to what you write with delight, and a large, large measure of gratitude.
Friends, fellowship, food–and books! Who could ask for anything more?
*Lord, we pray for the most fragile of the Santa Rosa residents–those who lack the support of faith and friends. May they find their strength in you and their community in your Church. May they come to look on the fire with gratitude, because it drove them into your loving arms. Amen.
Thank you.
Beautiful prayer. Amen!
Amen. amen and amen!
Sounds like an amazing time was had by all! Happy 10 year anniversary to Rachel and Rachelle, and congratulations to Cynthia on her Christy finalist award. Y’all are the greatest <3
Oh, I’d love some nearby writing buddies! It’s something I’ve prayed for but hasn’t happened yet.
What state do you live in, perhaps someone here lives close? I’m in Washington State. And yeah, I prayed for years before the writng buddies began to materialize.
Don’t give up praying for them! I prayed for 15 years and suddenly, BOOM! God has answered the prayer in abundance. I will add you to my prayer list. I am confident God will give you this desire of your heart.
There is such an endearing quality to you Wendy. You’re very warm in your writing and in person. “My people” include both online and in-person relationships. Online, I’m becoming increasingly close to a number of writers and speakers I met at WCCW and Leverage in February and March of this year. The Leverage group has a stronger sense of community, and I attribute that to the infusion of such energy from Kathi Lipp and Michelle Cushatt. They inspire community. In person, a number of believers from my church home take a keen interest in both my writing and speaking. Indeed, one of the elders sat down next to me just two days ago to ask regarding the status of my latest manuscript. These relationships provide two key elements for our writing and speaking careers: Encouragement and Accountability. Both are essential
Beautiful, Wendy. I love seeing you all together and happy. Yes, I so experience strength in numbers, in life and in this writing life. My girls are my best friends, now that they are grown, and my cousin … she calls me her person. We always tease that we must be sisters because we are so much alike. But regarding writing, I draw near to the people I’ve met here at this blog. These are the ones I share tragic news with. These are the ones who let me know when I’ve made a mistake in writing a blog post, etc. If I’ve left a letter out of my title, they tell me because they know I want to know. I couldn’t make it without them. They know who they are, and I love them. *And my family could really use prayers today.
Lord, I lift up Shelli’s family today. You know their need. Bless them with an overwhelming feeling of Your presence. Guide them, comfort them, and draw them close to You. You are Holy, Good, and Righteous. Help us to focus on You with each step. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You are a huge blessing, Shelli.
*I’m praying now for you guys.
Praying for your family today, Shelli!
Sweet Shelli,
I read your comment and prayer request earlier, but had to drive someone to an appointment. As I waited in my car, I thought of you. While rain poured over my windows, I prayed God would rain words of His comfort, warmth of His Presence, and blessings of His peace over you and your family. Hugs.
Prayers for you and yours, Shelli.
Praying for your family.
Praying. It’s always so much harder on our hearts when it’s our family and loved ones.
I love this post so much, Wendy! And it looks like you all are much better at selfies than I am. 😉
My first experience with this strength in the writing community was at Mt. Hermon, and indeed, it was as potent (or perhaps more so) than I’d experienced in any area of my life previously. I was able to join a semi-local writing group this summer, and those meetings are the highlight of my month – the days I figuratively circle on my work availability and say “Don’t even think about it,” lol.
As you have so aptly described here, relationships are important. The people that “get you” and with whom you can share either success or failure (and good, old-fashioned fun), aren’t always easy to find, but they’re so ever so valuable once you do.
Wendy, it’s good to read the confirmation that we are agented “in community.” You ladies are blessed by each other, as we authors are blessed by you. Regarding “my people,” I am a bit of a hermit. When asked for my phone number or email when making a purchase, I decline to give it while telling the clerk apologetically that when I retired, I became invisible. The solitude on this mountaintop is a joy to me and enriches my walk with God. But in terms of my writing team . . .
* My daughter, who is in law school, is my first resource. Her background is in engineering keeps the science straight, which is important because much of my work has an environmental thread.
* I also have a good friend who is one of the smartest, best-traveled people I know. She is my first-tier beta reader. (She has caught misspellings in TURKISH, of all the goofy things.)
* One Bookie in particular is a close friend. I have the privilege of beta reading her latest work now. She and I are definitely on this writing road together.
* I am active in a ladies book club at my church. These ladies enlighten me on the things that readers like, and I pay close attention to what we choose each year, the comments when we meet, and their general observations. They’re a tough bunch, well-educated and savvy. They are my target market.
Even though my literary circle is small, the quality is high, and these ladies bless me and my work as the other agents bless you. I am very thankful for them.
And sometimes I even write in English: Her background is in engineering AND keeps the science straight, which is important because much of my work has an environmental thread. (Perhaps I should stick with bad Turkish. There’s bound to be a market for that in CBA . . .)
One thing I’ve learned as I grow closer to needing hair dye more frequently, is the value of true friends who will speak in kindness and dare to deliver the good and the bad news with as much grace as possible. Having someone to bounce things off of, to celebrate, to console, to confide in without fear, and to rise up and slay the dragons with, and to stay alongside in the trenches when the light goes out and the only thing to hang on to is God and each other, well, that is a divine gift.
Hair dye? What’s hair dye. Is that like wrinkle cream? (And amen, my dear Jennifer.)
You’re so right–there’s strength in numbers. My writing has been greatly improved by other’s help, and they’ve said the same of me. Some of my closest “people” are writing buddies. Three of us meet every other week to read and critique each other’s work. My local ACFW chapter will meet at my home next month for our Christmas party. I have online friends I’ve never met in person with whom I trade critiques. A couple of my favorite blogs feel like communities–comments are open, bloggers drop by, ideas and virtual coffee are offered. 🙂
My writing buddies are online. Of my closedt 3, I met Andrew here, Katie at the Laube blog, and my alpha beta Regina from Roseanna White asking her street team if they would like to read my debut novel, whose cover she made. Treasures all!
As soon as I get my next novel on sale this month, I’ll be trying to organize a NM chapter of ACFW. If anyone is interested, please contact me thru my website.
Closest not closedt. Can’t scroll on phone to check before submit. My list is always open, never closed, for new friends
Carol, isn’t it an amazing thing how we can connect with people all over because of the internet? In that way, the internet and social media are a gift. 🙂
So are cars so I was able to drive to Colorado Springs and meet you in person! So worth the ~ 800 miles round trip!
Carol, I’ve loved the times we have gotten to chat (Colorado and ACFW). 🙂 You are amazing.
Wendy, first off, I LOVE that picture of the six of you. I imagine there was a lot o laughter amid the other discussions.
*One of the things I love about Books and Such is how collaborative you ladies are.The fact that you guys stay connected through the week seems to create a strong glue and working relationship.
*I am blessed to have writers in our city who I get to be in community with. I also have some online friends. A few of us have created a private group, where we share different goals, prayer requests, progress, and go through books together. It’s a safe place and a place where we can encourage and uplift each other. And, I am thankful to also be a part of the My Book Therapy community.
*I can’t imagine walking this writing journey in complete solitude.
A single bracelet does not jingle. – Congolese proverb
I’m very thankful for my CP Carol and the people I met at ACFW this year, but I do wish I had at least one friend in my day-to-day life who understood the writer’s journey. Because it’s hard to stay committed to writing times when surrounded by people who think they are silly!
*Disclaimer: my husband does NOT think they’re silly, he is very supportive. But all my local friends think I’m a weirdo.
My local friends know I’m a weirdo, but they love me anyway. Bet yours do, too!
I was wondering when you guys would get a new picture that included Cynthia! This sounds so so wonderful. I’m so glad that you guys fight together as a team and as sisters. I wrote by myself for years and years, hardly daring to admit that I was attempting publication. I went to conferences alone where I didn’t know another soul, for years. But God has graciously sent me other writer friends and sisters and now I attend a little local conference with them. And for the first time, I’ve tried out “Writer Camp” where I host some writers for a weekend of work and yummy food at the Bible camp where we live. It was so good to get together and work hard with other wonderful writers. So, I have been stepping away fromt he solitary venture and learning to share a bit of the journey with others.
Awwww, Kristen, how fun to read how God has brought other writers into your life. and your Writer Camp must be a wonderful weekend. And I bet it’s really pretty where you live too. 🙂
It has been a huge blessing, Jeanne. And it was a lovely weekend, just what I’ve been hoping and dreaming and praying about for so long. I took some pictures here if you wanted to see the autumn leaves and yes, photos of people typing on computers and not talking, ha! http://www.thecampfire.camasmeadows.org/?p=1095
Looks like it was an amazing, fun-filled weekend!
Wendy, the description of your photo shoot certainly sparked a longing in me. Being born and raised in California’s central valley, I have a love for all things California nature. The last ten years in Arizona has left a void in me regarding my natural surroundings. Although there are some things here to appreciate, the dirt and rocks get a little monotonous after a while.
Glad to hear you all are getting back into your groove with life, BTW.
To answer your question, my only “people” are my wife and kids and one friend I have who is also an author. He’s the one I go to for some nice “shop talk” once in a while. He got me started writing to begin with, so I’m very thankful.
I have a feeling that your weekend poured sweet mountain water into your parched and weary souls. Carrying each other through thick, thin, and in between, no matter how strong that each of you are, can begin to strain at even the strongest of hearts. This has been quite a year for the agency, so I’m very thankful that you had such a wonderful time together. That is evident in this photo! Yay for having fun!!
As for “my people”? Yes, my husband is numero uno, but I don’t adhere to the mindset of “I married my best friend”. I married the man I couldn’t live without. Now, he has 4 sisters, and knew very young that girls need their girlfriends, and told me that early on in our relationship. So, whether it’s by blood or by choice, Sisterhood is a powerful thing.
I have 2 Besties, and it’s probably a good thing that the one with the more daring personality (RCP) lives very far away, because oh mercy, our husbands might find out that we put the She in Shenanigans. Ha, like they don’t already know. They probably have a support group.
Our most recent road trip, (for work, okay!) involved, amongst other things, a red convertible Camaro, a tattoo parlour, looking for the best suguaro cactus, s’mores, acting like grown-ups in a Very Important Meeting, and not falling off a cliff during a photo session.
We take great pride in telling people that so far, we haven’t even come close to getting arrested. And no, that is not something I’ve put in a book proposal. “Jennifer Major has yet to be arrested, but the day ain’t over yet.”
And my Bestie here? Let’s just say that she’s sort of the opposite of RCP, and constantly has to remind me that I’m not dragging her into any trouble.
There’s a saying, “You’ll always be my best friend, because you know too much” that may imply extortion at some point…let’s just say I need to win a lottery.
Wow, that sounds like an amazing weekend. It is so special when we get to be with the people that mean so much to us. It is always more heart rendering to see devastation with our own eyes, and it reminds us to pray for the communities long after the newsreels have moved on. Between this and the last two posts, I know I am praying for the communities like I hadn’t before.
Who are my “people”? Have I experienced strength in numbers? If you would have asked that question two years ago I would have slunk into a corner and nursed my longing heart, but after over 15 years of praying God would send Godly friends into my life, He did it in abundance when I joined the writing community. Women I have only met on the web have become my closest friends, and the numbers grow. Lucy Nel, Joanna Davidson Politano, KyLee Woodley, Tisha Martin, Cathryn Swallia, Kelly Goshorn, and Angela Carlise are just a small sampling. I love these women dearly. We pray for each other, challenge each other in our walks with Christ, cheer each other on, and help each other grow as writers.
God has truly blessed me with the numbers and strength of my “people.” It appears as if you have been blessed, too. May you be blessed with many years together.
I love that you were all able to get together! And the weekend sounds heavenly! I am sure each of you left refreshed and with a new sense of purpose. I have loved the ‘closeness’ of the B&S team from Day 1. I have to admit, when Rachelle announced she was joining the team, I was a bit intimidated. I mean, Books&Such. Yikes. Who hasn’t heard of Janet Grant and Wendy Lawton?! LOL. But from the moment I met everyone, and of course all the wonderful authors who call themselves ‘Bookies’, I felt right at home, and proud to be a member of the family. Still am. And since I am pretty much isolated in the middle of the Atlantic, I absolutely cherish my online interactions with fellow author friends, and Books&Such plays a huge role there. Thanks for being awesome. 🙂
As you drew strength and encouragement from your fellow agents, I drew strength and encouragement from some of my fellow authors. Erica Vetsch and Lindsay Harrell spent a long weekend at my house. We talked stories, careers, hopes, dreams, struggles, setbacks, and faith. We shared life, laughed at memories (ones we’ve made together and apart), and watched fun movies. It was a much-needed and appreciated time together. They’ve both left, and it’s back to life as usual today, but I have new memories to hold on to until next time. I also have some exciting new story ideas to work on!
That sounds so fun, Gabrielle!
What a timely joy for you all to spend this time together. I’m so glad for that gift of fellowship among you, the encouragers each of you are, and the time of renewal this was. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful glimpse into your weekend together!
What a sweet refreshing post! I like it that you work closely together and connect as a team yet maintain your own unique qualities. I’m looking forward to seeing your new photos and what’s ahead for B & S.
Writing is a solitary business, but writers are communicators so when we get together we click. We understand each other in ways nobody else can. I love writers conferences. I’m addicted to Mount Hermon and hope never to get into recovery. And this blog helps us communicate and keep in touch even when we can’t see each other face to face. It’s a ministry by the Books & Such staff and I appreciate it a lot.Thank you.
Wendy, it’s so nice to see your “first agency selfie.” You all look so lovely–so happy. When it comes to who my people are, I’m a bit of a seagull in that I land at several places throughout the week. I don’t have a designated spot yet. But I do understand and agree with this quote by Jeff Goins: Creativity needs collaboration. I’m just finishing the chapter: Collaborating with Others, in his recent book, Real Artists Don’t Starve. He drives the truth home that there’s–as you said–“strength in numbers.”
Thank you for practicing what you preach so we’re motivated to find our place of community to serve and grow in.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Wendy, I loved this blog post and the selfie! I’m so glad you all were able to get together and have some work and fun, or fun with some work? I can not deny it. I have been a sanguine and people lover since I was little and talking with strangers as a toddler. My mother had to constantly send my sisters to find me and bring me home. I met more neighbors that way.
I have different groups of my people. I love my family and friends. Many of my friends are like family to me and I to them. My hubby, Ron and I have one son, Gabe who just turned twenty-three. When I couldn’t have more children, I challenged God to give me spiritual children, and that is what I have as well, I am loving know as Auntie Betsy to the children of two families not of my blood, but of my heart, and I am known as Momma B (B for Betsy, but more importantly for beauty because God took the ashes of my life and made something beautiful) at my church and to people who are near and dear to my heart. In fact Wendy, you met my dear daughter in the faith Crystal Dill, at Bethany House. She works for Jim who I met as well. She and her bestie Anna are my fraternal twins! We laugh at that, but I love them dearly, and it is even more special because I never gave birth to daughters. I have people in my small group at church who I am close too as well. I love our ACFW chapter her in Minnesota and have been a member for six years. That’s where I got to know so many wonderful authors and aspiring authors. This past March 13th, God blessed me with an amazing gift of a writing partner who is also an extrovert, with the gift of mercy like me. We so get each other, and we have come up with a great system of writing, editing and moving forward. We talk and set goals and pray every Monday. We share all kinds of things because we want complete freedom to write with no blockage. We trust each other, motivate each other and want the very best for each other which includes our number one thing, our walk with the Lord, our family, our writing and then the other as God directs.
This community has also become a place I love to come to and learn and see what Andrew 🙂 and all others have to say. I love the posts and your agency. It is warm, and full of grace while still professional and educational. I look forward to see what is posted Monday through Friday.
I love people and have several close relationships, the longest fifty-five years. I just had lunch with her last Friday. She was up from Sarasota. I have several I’ve been close to for twenty and some thirty years. I have truly been blessed. You know at seventeen, I had no idea what love was, and I ran from it. Over the years, I have not only learned what love is, but how to love and be loved. God has truly restored the years the locust had eaten in my life.
And my dear women of Books and Such Literary Management, as barren and full of ash Santa Rosa is right now, with the right kind of treatment, hard work and a whole lot of love, she will rise and life will bloom again.
So glad to see all the beautiful smiles on your faces!
* Oh, it sounds like a wonderful working group and friendship! How fun and how blessed you all are! I feel very blessed, too, with prayer groups, craft, critique and accountability partners who do a little bit of everything.
* And as I read these comments, I hear the love and concern that this little group has for each other as well. Shelli and Andrew, I’m adding my prayers to theirs. Remember, God loves you. You’re in His all-powerful hands.
Recently, my husband and I made a move to North Idaho. I have struggled with the loss of community since leaving northern California. It is such a challenge going from meeting with a critique group twice monthly, having a large number of co-writers to get together with, do workshops with, and generally encourage each other. I miss them greatly.
Thankfully, Inspire Christian Writers is not limited to in-person groups. I am now leading an online group. I also have dear friends who encourage me through email and the occasional phone call.
So, though it is different, it is still good to have that connection though not face-to-face. Who knows, maybe someday there will be an in-person group in my new area to broaden connection.
Thanks for this reminder, Wendy, of the need for camaraderie in what we do.
Susan, I’m still praying for you and hope you’re healthy and happy.
I also moved from Northern California to Northern Idaho (via a couple years in Oregon). I searched quite a bit last year for writers’ groups with little success, but I recently found this: https://www.meetup.com/Palouse-Writers-Guild
*I haven’t looked into it very much yet, but depending on where you are, perhaps it would be of interest to you?
Maybe the two of you could start your own.
Thank you for this. Where are you living now? We’re in Hayden.
Oh, that’s pretty country! I’m in the Lewis-Clark Valley, so over 2 hours south of you.
I was wishing you were closer. You live in pretty area as well. We’ve gone adventuring down your way.
Perhaps you could meet halfway once in a while, then do online critiquing for each other in between. Okay, I guess I should mind my own business. Sorry. But I miss Susan from the Inspire group we both used to attend.
Thanks Janet. I’m actually leading an on-line critique group now but there’s still nothing like in-person connection.
It would’ve been fun to be closer! I’m glad to hear you at least have an online group, Susan.
*It was a good thought, Janet! I wish it were that easy, but half way is pretty much the middle of nowhere, if I remember the route correctly. My writing is kind of on temporary hold for now, though, so I wouldn’t have much to contribute anyway. 🙂