Wednesday, February 3, 2021

IWSG: February, 2021 Edition


 It really can't be time for the monthly IWSG blog hop, can it?  Apparently so. Thank you, Alex J. Cavanaugh, our founder, and all the admins who keep this group of supportive and inspirational writers joined in the sometimes frustrating and sometimes uplifting career.

This month's optional question:

 Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?

Of course. I expect the timing of this question isn't coincidental to the upcoming blog hop honoring Jo Wake this Saturday. I still choke up writing her name. I won't talk about Jo here, but I know anyone who visited her blog often considered her a friend and an inspiration. I feel like I've known some of you who visit my blog for years, and it has been years. I've purchased and read your books. Benefited from your expertise and learned from your experiences. I always feel like I've received more from you than what I've given. The loss of Jo really brought home to me how much the blogging community has come to mean to me.

"You’re never wrong if you love and help people." Maxime Lagacé

I'm busy with editing. Actually, going over the last edits that Jo Wake returned to me. I'm lingering over her comments and suggestions. 

My romance publisher is creating new covers for my one series to re-launch them. Small presses are really struggling and being strangled by Amazon. It's been a while since anyone I know has had book sales to crow about. Writing is a tough way to make a living, or even enough to pay for the coffee and wine needed to keep going.

I hope some of you have been able to get the Covid vaccine. I'm not even qualified in any way to get in line. I'm thinking summer at the earliest. My husband is old enough, but he hasn't been able to make an appointment yet. What a mess.

I'm busy working with Pennwriters, the statewide multi-genre writing group I'm currently serving as President. It's been a stressful year. We had to cancel our large conference last May and recently made the decision to go virtual this May. We knew it was a possibility, but the disappointment is real. And now there are a lot of moving parts to organize despite everyone's recent forced education in online learning and virtual meetings. 

"It always seems impossible until it's done." Nelson Mandela

Good news: I have a number of guests scheduled over the course of the next month. Some authors I really respect and admire. I've been doing more reading than writing or watching TV, so I'm always on the lookout for some good books and new authors.

Have you made friends through blogging? Have you received your Covid vaccine? Have a spare dose? Are you spending more time online for work or education?

Stay safe, friends.




28 comments:

Liza said...

Oh, I have encountered so many kind souls through blogging. As for the vaccine, well, I field phone calls from those 75+ in our town who are confused and anxious. It's been a crazy couple of weeks...

Bish Denham said...

Getting the COVID vaccine to the town where I live has been the first challenge, not even all the front line workers and those living in nursing homes have been vaccinated. It's a fouled up mess.

As for blogging friends, I've made more than I can count.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's touching you are going over edits suggested by Jo.
We were offered the vaccine at work but I turned it down. You can have mine.
Hope the online conference is a hit and you can meet in person next year.

nashvillecats2 said...

A wonderful write Susan, Will look forward to your future guests.

Yvonne.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Susan, even I am busy with editing. Hope both of us nail our edits.

M.J. Fifield said...

My significant other and I are (rightfully) very far down on the vaccine priority list. Fortunately, some of our nurse friends have been able to get theirs.

I run a few writers groups here, and two are on hiatus until further notice. The third is virtual. It's gone pretty well, overall, but I feel like I spend half the meetings saying things like, "Are you there? Can you hear me?" But we're muddling through.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I'm actually spending less time online. I'm trying to get back to reading and writing and spending time outside. I'm basically trying to find my focus again. Have you seen it anywhere? :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Have you set the schedule for the conference yet?

Some states are really struggling to get the vaccine to people. My mother-in-law in Arkansas is on multiple lists but nothing so far. Here in NC, many of my older friends have already gotten theirs.

Nick Wilford said...

I didn't know Jo personally, but I know her passing has left a hole for many. It just goes to show how meaningful the relationships formed via blogging can be. Vaccine is still percolating its way down the age groups in the UK, but my wife has health issues, so she should get hers soon, hopefully.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - the blogosphere is special isn't it ... we meet so many who cover a whole range of life ... and who are always ready to help others. Jo was special ... and I always enjoyed being with her and her recipes ... stay safe - Hilary

Chrys Fey said...

That's great that your publisher is redoing your covers to relaunch your books. It is really tough to make any kind of money through writing and publishing. If only it were treated like one jobs and we got paid hourly for writing/working.

My mom got her first dose of the vaccine and will be getting her second next week.

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's great that you were friends with Jo and that she critiqued for you. It sounds like you were good friends. I've made friends through blogging too.

I'm in the last group for a vaccine like you until I turn 65 in July. I can't wait to get vaccinated and wish I could get at least my first shot before then.

Mildred R Holmes said...

I've made friends over the years blogging. I never did make it through all the entries on the lists IWSG had. Usually just 20-40 of those around my name. Ahh, life happens.

Fundy Blue said...

Happy IWSG Day, Susan! I'm so sorry that you lost your friend Jo. I didn't know her, but I'm reading lovely tributes to her, and it's obvious that she was a special friend to others. I received my first dose of the Covid vaccine last Sunday. The rollout in Colorado has been confusing and frustrating, but it's smoothing out. I was lucky to be one of 11,000 chosen from a pool of over 300,000 eligible 1a and 1b people. My husband doesn't become eligible until the pool expands on 2/8. I've had a flu-like reaction, but that's okay. It's way better than getting Covid. 🤞🍀 I hope you get lucky soon! And good luck too with your series relaunch!

Jemima Pett said...

Ah - I see you have the hop for Saturday too. I originally had it for Saturday but saw it had changed so changed my post. I'm not going mad after all. It seems that everyone who knew Jo admired her lethal comments,too. I hope you're enjoying doing your edits.
I've attended a number of virtual conferences now, and they've mostly been great. But the best thing is that I wouldnt have otherwise been able to get to them. I hope your virtual con helps you make new friends too.

Pat Hatt said...

Nope. No more time online here, actually less. Lots of great friendships along the way indeed. Probably reading more than writing at my end these days too.

Jeff Hargett said...

Jo was quite good at providing feedback and edits. She did the same for me on my manuscript's initial draft and several short stories. She'll definitely be cited when (not if) I ever get these novels published.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It's been a bit of a zoo in PA for those trying to sign up. We'll get there.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

PA has not done a good job for the long term care people since the start of it.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'll take that vaccine. LOL Actually want it for my husband more.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Right back at you. Let's get them!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I think we'll all appreciate meeting in person when it can happen again.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sounds like a good plan. The weather has been against us recently.

Loni Townsend said...

I never knew Jo myself, but I can tell from the bloggosphere's response that she touched many lives.

Elizabeth said...

I enjoyed the blogging community very much when I was posting before, and now I find myself easing back in. I didn't know Jo, but based on all the posts I've seen about her, she sounds like a very dear blogger.

messymimi said...

She sounds like an amazing person. All the friends i've made online have been amazing people.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday morning. I hope the vaccine distribution speeds up so everyone is vaccinated soon.

Diane Burton said...

I never knew Jo. From what you & others have written, she must have been an amazing person.