Right Here, Right Now

My friend asked me today if I wanted a stack of Oprah magazines, and I surprised myself with a strong "No." I don't have enough time left in my life to keep reading everyone else's writing. I have my own stuff to finish writing and get out the door. And I have amazing friends who are writers. I want to read their work! Even though they're "unknowns" as authors (right now!), their stories are as intriguing and powerful as any I've read from the knowns.

I just finished the 6th and final week of a life writers' group I've been facilitating. I hope these talented writers, and all of you who have shared your wonderful stories with me over the years, will continue writing stories. 

If you are not now in a writing group, how about joining up with a bunch of serious writers online, or forming your own online group? Published writer of 14 books and masterful creative writing instructor, Barbara Abercrombie, has an exciting blog for writers. You can experience her nurturing guidance and learn how her students are working together online at this site:  Barbara Abercrombie's Writer's Blog

I first became acquainted with Barbara Abercrombie's work through her excellent book, Courage & Craft--Writing Your Life Into Story. If you haven't read it, I suggest that you buy it, and as you read it, start writing! You can also find Abercrombie on her web site,  Barbara Abercrombie 

Meanwhile, I'm reading the stories from my latest group's members and writing a book to provide guidance for facilitators of writing groups. My working title is Nurturing Life Writers: Facilitating a Life Writers' Group. I'm also recording my stories, published years ago, for an audiobook titled Life With a Buckskinner. The stories will also be an e-book.

I've already lined up a graphic designer, Becky Fox, to design the CD and book covers, and I'm trying to decide which company will format and distribute the e-book for to all of the places. The audiobook will be online for sale and downloading, and also in hard copy form, advertised in publications.

Thanks to my living situation, I'm able to live my life as a writer, cartoonist, songwriter, and vocal coach, which makes me very happy. It all came together a bit late in my life (understatement), but life can't get better than this--Right here. Right now.