Monday, November 1, 2021

The Abundance in my Life by Paty Jager

As I sat thinking about abundance in my life, the first thing that came to me was friendships. Though up until I started writing and reached out to other writers, I’d had only a few close friends.

Growing up I had two to three good friends I’d confide in. College, I had one friend. As a young mother living in an area that was new to me, I slowly acquired friends as my kids started school. But again, I only had two or three who I truly felt were good friends.

When I finally put myself out into the world to learn more about writing, I discovered the romance writers and before long, I had more friends than I’d ever had before. It is a bit overwhelming at times for this introvert!

The reason I felt closer to these writers than most of my adult friends was the bond we shared over writing. Even though I talk about writing to one of my closest friends, she still doesn’t understand the characters in my head or the need for a certain word. It’s something that only other writers understand.

When I get excited about something that would make a great place to hide a body or a unique way to kill someone, only murder mystery writers understand. My family just rolls their eyes. Though my younger brother is starting to think like me and will call me and tell me about something he saw that might make a good murder scene or weapon. 😉

I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count how many writers I feel are true friends. I know I could email or message any of them with a problem and they would listen and help me figure it out. And I would do the same for them. We all know how hard writing and sustaining our family life is. We are there for one another.

We cheer each other on when someone finals or wins a writing award, or finishes a book, or puts out a new version of a book, or even just finds time to write. And we all rally around when a book isn’t selling, or a rejection letter comes, or the story isn’t working, or family life has sucked the creativity out of us. It’s what friends do.

I also have found new friends through the readers of my books. That has been an added bonus!

And that my friends is what I have in abundance--FRIENDS!  

Some of my friends and I have a Book Event happening starting today! 


Eight authors are giving away Christmas ebooks! You can go to this page to find out how you can get entered to win. https://maggielynch.com/holiday-books-contest/ 




6 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

I've never had as many friends as I do now within the writing community. And, for me, to make friends virtually was a surprise as I never thought I could form a friendship with someone I hadn't spent face-to-face time with.

The Holiday Giveaway looks Amazing!!!

Paty Jager said...

Hi Judith. Yes, it is amazing now many friend I've met face-to-face and now many I have made online that I have never met in person.

It should be a fun giveaway! Thanks for commenting!

Maggie Lynch said...

Paty, you've hit a special place in my heart. I've always had friends throughout my life but, like you, perhaps two or three that were people I could count on. Part of that was because I came from such a large, close family. With 8 siblings and cousins, aunts, uncles who lived close when I was growing up, I didn't have as much need to seek out other people.

However, when I joined a writing community--particularly romance writers--I suddenly had many people who understood me, how my brain works, why I feel so strongly or deeply. Writers are a unique group and I'm so glad I have them especially at this time in my life.

Deb N said...

Paty - you are so right about writers supporting other writers, not only as colleagues, but as friends. And, you, my friend, are one of them. I feel blessed with the many writers who have truly become friends, whether or not I have met them in person. And you were so wonderful to reach out to me and help with my last book. I certainly can echo everything you said. Thanks for articulating friendships among writers so well.

And here's to a great Holiday Giveaway!

Paty Jager said...

Maggie and Deb, It was through writing that I met both of you and am happy to call you both friends! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Sarah Raplee said...

Sorry I'm late to the party, Paty. It's been a weird week! You are so generous with your time helping other writers! We know we can ask you and you will help if you can. Having writer friends like you in my life is such a blessing!