I already announced in Shane’s blog last week that I finished, but for those of you who missed it – I finally finished the rough draft! YEAH! So this is my week off, to give the book and my mind some time apart so that when I go back to it, hopefully I’ll be fresh and rejuvenated. And I’m not really taking the time off, I’m working, I’m just doing reading work. Judging RITA books.

But what I wanted to talk about today is my favorite part of this job. Yes, the writing can be fun and selling and being published is so cool I have to pinch myself regularly. But for me the best part about being a writer is having writer friends. Most of my closest friends are fellow writers and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I just got off the phone with my critique/brainstorming partner and while we almost always talk about writing, our friendship spans the breadth of our lives. I was in the hospital with her while she had her first child and she was in my wedding. She is my writing soul sister and frankly, I’m not sure how I would endure the rough parts of this business without her. There are many others too that enrich my life and have shared in every part of this journey.

Romance writers are unique in the writing world – I’ve been told. We’re supportive and encouraging and we even go so far as to train our competition, at least that’s how outsiders see it. But I think it’s more than that. I think romance writing is so unique because it is the genre that really stems from our values and beliefs. We’re all optimists and romantics and when you get a bunch of optimists and romantics in the same room, it’s just a big love fest. That’s not to say we don’t have bouts of jealousy and that we all get along – we are predominantly women and it would be insane to think we’re all gonna love each other. But for the most part, we do like each other and support one another. And having that is crucial. There have been many days for me when the only faith I’ve been able to rely on is the faith my writing friends have in me, because I just can’t find it in myself. Other days I’m able to return that favor and provide that strength a friend needs.

I have some writing friends who are still on the “other side” meaning they haven’t sold yet, but I’m waiting and I know it’s going to happen. One friend, in particular, has finaled in the Golden Heart several times and I know she’s just a phone call away. I keep waiting for her news and I won’t be remotely surprised when she gets that phone call. Others are still getting their footing and finding their voice and testing the market and getting the courage enough to fight their way to the top. Yet another is a veteran of the business and is still struggling with her career. But we’re here, together, supporting each other because we have a bond that only writers can form.

I know I’m being incredibly sappy, but I can’t help it…it’s that optimistic romantic in me. So go hug/e-mail/phone your writing buddy and tell them how much they mean to you.