She Writes!

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Or, Bloggin’ Baby Boomer knows no Bounds (That’s me!)

I’m a woman with backbone and I have a bona fide confession:  I LOVE to write.  Which is why I adore the printed word and which also explains why, at the tender age of 6, I drove my mother crazy while sitting in the backseat of her Chevy, obsessively reading aloud all the street and retail signs, not to mention billboards we’d pass along the road.  Shop Rite. Stop. No U-Turn. A&P. “I’d rather fight than switch.” And so on.  Sometimes I’d make my mother slow down, to give me time to read even more signs.

Fifty years later and I’m a bloggin’ fool and, if you know anything about bloggers, well, there’s nothing a blogger won’t do to get a little attention (Translation: More visitors to the blog). I mean, we love writing, but without an audience, what are we—just trees falling in the forest, with no one to hear our cries? TIMBER!

And as a writer, I must say, I love chatting, tweeting, exchanging emails and submitting comments to other bloggers.  So, who knew I could have it all with one amazing, glorious site? I’m speaking, of course of She Writes.

Here’s their raison d’etre in a nutshell:

She Writes is a community, virtual workplace, and emerging marketplace for women who write, with over 14,000 active members from all 50 states and more than 30 countries. Leveraging social media tools and harnessing women’s collaborative power, She Writes is fast becoming the destination for all women who write.

I came across She Writes while discovering  “Out of My Mind,” a blog written by Linda Cassidy Lewis, author of “The Brevity of Roses.” Her post, ironically called,  “The Problem with Writing,” was recently Freshly Pressed by WordPress.com.  Well, as I read her post and scrolled all the way down reading the gazillion comments she received that day, I noticed a little icon badge on her site, that said quite simply, “I’m a member of SHE WRITES.”

Kamy Wicoff, She Writes Founder/Chief Innovation Officer

Which piqued my interest, and so I clicked. From there, I entered a whole new, exciting world of women writers who love nothing better than to write and network.  Sheer perfection, if you ask me!

Of course, I first had to complete a simple, but very probing, application to make sure I really was a writer, or at least serious about it.  Are you a blogger? Check.  Are you published? I cringed. Err, no.  Do you review books, television or film? Does having a crush on Colin Firth count? Do you offer services to other writers? Uh, a pat on the back, a “you go, girl” on occasion. Is that an acceptable response?

Are you part of a writers’ group or a writers’ salon? Is “N/A” sufficient? Though, frankly, I wouldn’t mind being part of a salon—sounds fancy!

I submitted my scant answers and was told I’d have to wait to learn whether or not they’d accept me. Talk about pressure. I was sweating bullets for 48 hours. I was sure if they didn’t accept me, it was because they’d seen me for the writing imposter that I am. Not published, indeed! Who did I think I was, trying to get in on the ground floor?

But OMG, they liked me! They really liked me! At least that’s what I assumed when I got the email stating I was in like Flint. I did a little happy dance until I realized I was in the office and everyone was staring.

When I got home that night, I dove into my new She Writes home with gusto, following their tips for newcomers, in order to create my page. Uploading a picture, writing all about my wonderful, writing self and, of course, detailing my zeal for blogging.  Then I perused the more than 250 distinct writing groups to see which ones I could join. Here, at last, my chance to find like-minded writers in such tantalizing groups as, “She Writes in California,” “Bloggers: Let’s Make It Work,” “Multicultural Writers,”  “Funny Women,” “Baby Boomers” and “Blog to Book.” (As to the latter, well, a girl can dream, can’t she?)

I’ve already made eight friends on She Writes (Soneet, Shary Folkmann, Amy Wise, Scrollwork, Julie Farrar, Tina Lane, Rukhpar Mor, Tele Aadsen and Sierra Writers), and can’t wait to make more–assuming they still like me. No matter. I just adore my new She Writes home! I may even move there and live forever within its pages of comments, encouragement, and words of wisdom from the over 14,000 members.  That is, if I can figure out how to take my toothbrush with me.

So friends, it comes down to this: If you’re a writer I encourage you to become a member (my friend, Leah, just did!). And if you do, tell them I sent you.  It’ll help me earn brownie points and hopefully keep them from throwing me out for the unpublished rapscallion that I am!  After all, I’m just having too much fun with She Writes!

61 thoughts on “She Writes!”

  1. Pingback: Thoughts of Summer | Monica's Tangled Web

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    • Yes, I have been accepted and, I’ve met some very supportive fellow writers and bloggers. We’ve even organized a Meetup of She Writes members, which was so much fun. It’s such a great resource–you will LOVE it!

  5. I am dropping in from Life in a Pink Fibro/Rewind to say hello.

    Thank you very much for this information. Sounds like a great forum to check out and will do so thanks to you.

  8. Hi Monica!!

    I’m so happy to find another blogger in our august age group! I mean, it may not always matter but sometimes I get depressed reading blogs by self-actualized 30-somethings. Why don’t they sell out the way I did to an office job just for a paycheck?!

    Anyway, thank you for a great post filled with so many interesting links and info. I will definitely be back to read more! And you are gutsy because I will go to She Writes and lurk for several months before getting the courage to apply- if I ever do.

    And thanks to The Fibro for leading me here!

    • Catherine, by all means, you should apply to She Writes. That site has been an amazing resource. I’ve met other blogger/writers who live in my area and we’ve had a meetup. It’s a very supportive environment so I encourage you to stop lurking and come in–join the party! 🙂

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  10. Hey Monica!

    I have not been able to get into your blog (or Leah’s either) via my iPad, which is my most used device for surfing the web, until you emailed me your blog post. Thank you so much. I have been enjoying getting caught up on your recent posts.

    I am looking forward to meeting you and Leah in person on the 29th!

    Blessings to you!

    Kim

    • Hey Kim, thanks so much for stopping by and for subscribing, too. That is so cool and I’m pleased as punch that you’re enjoying my blog. That’s puzzling about not finding our sites via your iPad, but maybe now that you have the URL it’ll be easier. I’m really excited about our lunch and sharing our passion for writing!

  12. Monica,

    So sorry for the late response! It’s been a CRAZY time for me. You are soooooo sweet to mention me in your blog post. Thank you. She Writes is an amazing, inspiring place to meet truly talented writers with such big hearts! You will love it!!! Thank you again for the shout out! Hugs! Amy

    • No worries. I was reading your post and started learning about the trial, so I totally understand. Given this, I’m just glad you stopped by at all! I’m crazy about She Writes and I hope it shows. I look forward to getting to know you through your blog. Stay strong!

    • Shary Folkmann and I have planned a lunch Meet Up on Apr 29th in San Diego! So far there’s four of us, but we’re getting the word out and posting it in the She Writes in California group. Plus I’ve tweeted it. We’re writers and we’re determined! We’re also women on a mission! 🙂

    • Oh and here’s the link to our Meet Up. Feel free to pass it along if you know anyone that might want to join us:

      One of 61 She Writes communities worldwide.

      San Diego She Writes Community

      1 upcoming Meetups | 21 SheWriters

      She Writes is the largest online community for women who write, providing resources, support and actionable advice for writers of every level of experience and working in every imaginable genre. If you are a woman who writes, you belong here!

      Check it out →

  14. Oh and yes, she’s not kidding, if you join SW and tell us Monica sent you, there’s a chance she will be the weekly winner of our “15K” contest — we are trying to get to 15,000 members, and will feature the woman who refers the most new members to us each week. So tell us she sent you and see her name in SW lights! 🙂

  15. Monica, you are AWESOME! I am so sorry it took me a few days to respond to your email, but I just felt on Cloud Nine reading your post and this thread. I started She Writes a year and a half ago to try to help women who write (and yes, men are absolutely welcome, too) with community, resources, and quality support. I started it because I am a woman who writes and I knew I really needed all those things. And it is seriously the coolest thing in the world to feel that it has grown into just that. Thank you thank you for being part of it!

    • Kamy, I am absolutely thunderstruck that you took the time to visit my blog! Thank you and thank you for your innovating idea to create She Writes. I’m already making the most of the site and planning my first meet up with some amazing She Writes writers at the end of this month. Can’t wait! 🙂

  16. Monica
    Thanks for the link to She Writes-I did sign up-and I too was accepted. Now, to navigate the site to see exactly how its going to benefit me-thanks for the tips, I will check them out. 🙂

    • Why thank you so much! I will definitely visit your blog, too. The name of my blog came to me from a quote I learned in high school. My creative writing teacher loved this quote and used it all the time. Well, I grew to love it too! It fits me in that when I write, I often weave a very tangled web. lol

  18. Aww..you’re so sweet…thanks for mentioning me and I am so happy that you are so enthusiastic about writing and blogging. I am glad you joined She Writes. It’s a great place to find out about other writer’s and learn from them.

    • I agree! That’s why I’m so glad to have discovered it and especially thrilled to be part of a blogging group of some fabulously talented women. Happy blogging, indeed! 🙂

  20. Hi Monica, I live in London and can still drive people crazy when I read out loud the license plates on the other cars as we drive down the street… Welcome to SheWrites, it’s a great place. Glad you found it and really great to “meet” you! x

    • Thank you for checking out my blog. I enjoyed perusing yours earlier. And, thanks to your site, I have now discovered the Lady Bloggers Society. Oh, it’s so much fun meeting and getting to know other bloggers. Looking forward to reading about your next audition!

  21. Monica, I’m NEVER among the first to respond to a call to action, so imagine my surprise that I was among your shoutouts! Maybe my luck has changed. Also, I’m gonna come over here and hang with you regularly for the sheer joy of it. I may be snarky/ponderous on my blog, but here, I can let my other self smile and watch quietly. Glad you came and joined us on SheWrites!

    • You can be as happy-go-lucky here as you want. You can do the joyful dance with me! Glad to know that you see hanging here with me “sheer joy.” Now that’s a compliment I can take to the bank! 🙂

  23. I have had a great time with She Writes as well…I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed keeping up with everyone’s blogs…It has helped my own blogging incredibly! BTW, I Liked you! ;), and I sent a friend request…

  25. Wel, well as a man I’m disqualified. Bu then I would be any way. Henry Miller is my guide in the matter, ‘Artists never thrive in colonies.Ants do. What the budding artist needs is the privilege of wrestling with his problems in solitude – and now and then a piece of red meat.’

    • Not so, Charliechops! Men are indeed included at SheWrites, represented by a small-yet-welcome contingent. I’d say come on by, but it sounds like you’ve already found your right companion in Henry Miller. 😉

      • I was going to say the same thing. In fact, Charlie, one of my friends is a guy. You’ll need to click on the links in my post to figure out which one. But, you’re an individualist I can tell, so why follow the fold? I agree, writers work best (and out of necessity) alone. But it’s nice to come up for air every once in a while, for relection, support and a reality check, if you get my drift. So, smile Charliechops. We like you, whether or not you join! 😉

  26. Oh my, Monica, you’re putting me to shame. I haven’t used She Writes to my best advantage, I’m sure. I guess I’d better head over there and get updated.

    Thank you for the shout-out. 🙂

    • Linda, I think She Writes is an incredible resource for writers, so I am grateful that you took the time to put their badge on your site. And, btw, I really enjoy your site. I like your style!

  27. Hey. Back off of Collin Firth, would ya?

    😉

    Teasing, of course. A little healthy competition between Collin’s Chicks is a good thing, I think.

    Really, though, I’m excited to see what all of this is about. Thanks for the tool — provided I pass the test, that is. Now I’m off to start cramming!

    What exactly do you think they mean by “published,” anyhow? I mean, my blog is “published”…my master’s thesis was “published”… this comment will hopefully be “published” … 😉

    • OMG! You love Colin, too?! Well, my dear, it’s fate. I think by published they mean books, articles. If they accept a writing hooligan like me, for you they’ll bring out the red carpet, as you have so much writing strength going for you, plus all your articles. Just promise you’ll tell them I sent you? 😉

  28. Wonderful! You had me grinning and nodding along, Monica – from one unpublished rapscallion to another, thank you for the generous shout-out and, most of all, welcome!

  29. Thanks for the mention, Monica. I signed up for and got accepted to SheWrites with credentials as fuzzy as yours. Then I forgot about the site in the crush of daily emergencies. When I finally got back to writing I returned to that literary home and was bowled over by all they had. I got my pathetically weak profile up, joined a few groups, and made a few comments and then BAM! got showered with responses, well-wishes, encouragement, and links to great blogs like yours. So I guess I’m not the only woman out there who decided in the second half of her life she wanted to try this writing thing. SheWrites rocks!

  31. Hi Monica,
    I’m pretty new to She Writes and am also excited to be here. (With a little stretch of the imagination, I’ve come to believe that this is my salon). Thanks for your post.

    • Most definitely, this is our salon! I really do love the sound of that, salon. Sounds so elegant, if you ask me. She Writes rocks! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I look forward to visiting your, too. 😉

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