It takes a village

One thing I have learned since I decided I wanted to write, is that it takes a village. For the past year I have been in a writing/critique group . We met in the M/M Romance group on Goodreads and formed a private group of our own to meet the needs of the authors. I first joined the group solely as a beta reader because I hadn't started writing on my own yet. From this group, I not only formed life changing friendships but found my 'author voice' as well. I have fallen madly in love with my writing group.  They make me laugh and cry, but mostly importantly, they make me Summer Michaels. In all seriousness I wouldn't be who I am without them. I hadn't adopted a pseudonym or put two sentences together as a writer until I met them.  


There are some writers who don't use critique partners or that can sit down and write without bouncing ideas off anyone else. For me, the whole process is more exciting with a writing group to fall back on. I love tossing ideas out for a new story or discussing character development and plot. 


Another benefit of a writing group is the drive to write. My village pushes and cheers me on as I complete my book. I love the text messages I get when I am folding laundry and someone from the group as just read a section of my story. My writing group makes me feel like I can do, that one day my dream of being a published author is reachable. 


So, for this Thankful Thursday I am thankful for the critique group. I am thankful for their support, their love, and their insight. I am thankful for my village. 

I can hear them fighting over who gets to be which character now!