When your characters refuse to talk to you, when words start running one into another, when your body goes on a no-writing strike and you fall behind in your own deadlines, who are you gonna call? 
Your writing buddies!!
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They read your words, over and over and over and OVER, and STILL they believe in your work, sometimes more than you do.
They laugh in just the right places when you share your pages — and even more incredibly — sometimes they cry.
They trade tears and laughter with you over sweet mocca-caramel-coffee-thing-a-ma-bob at a local Barnes and Noble. (You know who you are, L :))
They celebrate your little victories, forgive your failures, and gently remind you to get your butt back in the chair.
They make you gasp with joy when they produce beautiful work and ask you to read it.
And then . . . then they thank you in their published books! (see the picture below)

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P.S. Congratulations to Keri Mikulski, author of “Head Games” who I am honored to call a friend (and who — yes! — kindly thanked me in her acknowledgements!) Not only are you a butt-kicking writer (who actually takes my suggestions!!!), you’re also an incredible source of support and encouragement.Â
P.P.S. Hearty congrats also to Trent Reedy, the author of “Words in the Dust” (which also just came out) — Trent is a wonderful friend and a fellow Vermont MFA graduate of my friend Patti’s. [Can’t wait to read Zulaikha’s story, Trent!)
P.P.P.S. Finally, congrats to Toni De Palma — whose group I belonged to many years ago — congrats for seeing “Jeremy Owl” through — and thank you for the “thank you”! Â
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