It was a regular February day.
I sat at my desk dividing my time between the things a paycheck dictated I must get done and the things that I daydreamed about, while I navigated the daily spider web of Twitter conversations.
I stumbled upon a friend’s blog post following it to another site where I was greeted with lovely words and a prompt that turned into a piece that I wrote fast and furiously, hitting publish before I could think about what I was doing.
It would take me another two weeks to actually link anything in a little box at the site, instead of just lurking around it, sighing with awe at the words of other writers who made me weak with envy.
Winter turned into spring, spring gave way to summer and twice a week I would be inspired and drawn into the stories of these amazing authors. Little by little, I found a circle of them, the small boxes and avatars that I searched for among the sea of colors and titles, who became teachers and motivators. By example they drew me out of my comfort zones and pushed me to let my imagination run wild.
While they spun their yarns, my own basket overflowed with ideas and thoughts. I would hit publish and wonder what they thought, their critique and comments becoming the ruler by which I measured the effectiveness of my words. I yearned for their approval, I longed for the judgment they would bestow and hold my breath until their appraisal was handed back to me.
Even when their less than flattering comments and suggestions filled my inbox I just wiped away tears but went about my day, reforming the sentences and rewriting the words in my mind eager to please them, I found myself a willing student at the feet of the women whose words I worshipped.
By the time autumn had turned the leaves scarlet and gold, my everyday was filled with concern, support and critique from at least one of them. Acquaintances had become friends that I stood on a solid if not quite equal plane yet.
These were my heroes, the hearts and minds I aspired to be.
It was from them that I learned how to unravel my own stories and to allow the voices in my head permission to talk to me.
Every week the short and the tall, the amateur and the experienced, the blondes and brunettes, the educated and the very green came together in a community of love for words.
Every week each one of them took me somewhere meaningful.
So that as the year came to a close and February drew near again I smiled with the warmth I felt within their fold.
I can never thank them enough for igniting this spark inside me and showing me how good everyone looks in a RED DRESS.
My THANKS to every one of you for allowing me the ability to read your stories, gobble up your words and send you my own pieces to read before I hit the publish button.
Your talents, mentoring and passion have changed my life.
I have really enjoyed this community, too, even though I started long after it was no longer “red dress.”
I always wish people were a little more concrit and a little less complimentary!
I agree, it’s never easy to get that kind of TOUGH LOVE but it helps you grow and do better.
I’m glad you’re part of WOE, thanks for coming over to read and comment.
I love you Kir.
I love that you took leaps and put yourself out there. It’s amazing how this community inspires us to write more and be more and to let down those walls of fear that hold us back.
Your writing moves me sweets.
xoxo
and there are the tears….oh my goodness, thank you so much for those beautiful words. Kim I can’t tell you what having you as my friend does for MY HEART. I love you with all of it. xoxoo
You look amazing in red, and we are lucky to have you. You experience with us is exactly what we hope everyone’s to be: one of challenges, growth, and community.
Thank you so much for this affirmation. So much.
And of course my comment has a typo… sigh. YOUR experience…
and mine does too…it should say “and mentors like you” …guess it’s a day for them. xoxoxo
This is exactly how I feel about Write on Edge and it wasn’t for the mentors (like you) that I have found within its ranks I wouldn’t be able to write a post like this one.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for always reading what I write. xo
I, too, enjoy using RememberRED writing prompts, although sometimes the posts I read from others are so awesome (including yours) that I get intimidated and don’t write anything. Actually, this happens most times.
Oh my goodness…you are SOOOO SILLY. I love the way you write and I am so blown away by everything you share. thank you for coming over to say hi and KEEP writing..I need you to inspire me, lady
Kir….I feel the exact same way.
This community has given me so much, and has stretched my talents, given me wings, and made me smile.
Thanks for saying it so very beautifully.
Nancy…another one of my amazing mentors. Thank you for teaching me, for editing me and frankly for just READING me. Your words and imagination have pushed me to be better…to do better, to try harder and there are not enough THANK YOU’s for that. xo
This community brought me your friendship, and that is invaluable to me.
I feel the same way, and you’ve expressed it so beautifully here. And I promise you that your comments and your writing have been just as inspiring. xo
***crying**** TRDC/WOE will always be a part of my heart for giving me the chance to read you and then develop the kind of friendship we have. You in my life is such a precious gift, you can never really know what it means to me. xoxoxo
Yes, yes, and yes! I agree with every bit.
Oh Mandy, you wonderful writer you….one of my many mentors in a “RED DRESS”, thank you for letting me read your words and offering me the chance to learn at your feet. It’s been such a fun ride.
Kir, you are so lovely. Truly. It is so gratifying to know that a crazy idea to form a virtual writers community has resulted in sparking such passion and growth from such amazing women (and men).
Thank you so much for being a part of it and for blessing us with your wonderful words.
This comment from YOU has made me very weepy, because Cheryl you are one of the reasons that I write today, one of the reasons I try and push and work out those sentences and phrases. You were one mentor that changed my writing and THANK YOU just doesn’t seem to be enough to say for that, but THANK YOU.
It has been wonderful to see you blossom this past year. Kudos to you and the rest of the writing group.
Not as wonderful as you have been to me as I did it, for standing here and watching me fumble and write…never wavering. there will NEVER be enough THANK YOU’s to offer you my friend. xoxo
“By the time autumn had turned the leaves scarlet and gold, my everyday was filled with concern, support and critique from at least one of them.”
Beautifully written! And actually, reading YOUR posts on TRDC is what gave me the courage to start trying to write to the prompts. Although when I wear red, I tend to look like a giant tomato. Oh well–at least I get noticed!
Kir – You have grown so much in a year – even in the last few months. You have gained confidence in your writing and it is a beautiful thing to see.
Kelly…you are ONE very important reason that I have learned things this past year. You are one of these “mentors” I speak of, my writing buddy and my best critic. Thank you for saying this to me and for always offering support. It means so much more than you know. *HUG*
Kir, you remind me that I still want to think of myself as a writer – and I don’t, I have avoided the WOE prompts for months.
There is fear that my writing will never, ever, be good enough. That I can never summon that creativity that writers such as you appear to have no difficulty calling on. That I couldn’t take even a pinch of criticism and give up before I start.
I need to take that fear away.
Alison…you are a WRITER. A beautiful, heart tugging and wonderful writer.
Your writing is ALREADY good enough, it’s better than mine and I know that you will write and I will weep with envy. I appreciate you saying nice things about what I write, but I also know that I don’t compare to you. You are more capable than you know.
NO MORE FEAR, JUST WRITE my friend. Your words are welcome and SAFE with me. I promise. xoxo
I know exactly what you mean! I’ve only been a part of this community for a brief period, but it has truly blessed me. I’ve wanting to say thank you to the group, but couldn’t find a way. You did a wonderful job.
http://musingsandmeanderings-mlp.blogspot.com/2012/02/remembered-mentor.html
HI Melanie, I’m so glad that Write on Edge has had the same kind of positive impact on your writing too. Thank you so much for this lovely comment and for being part of the people who make me feel great “in Red”