Welcoming the visitor

"A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy." ~Edward P. Morgan

I was sitting on my balcony, relaxing with a nice, hot cup of coffee and a good book - feet propped up, just waiting for the sun to set.. and I got to thinking..

Oops..

Company is coming over for a visit.

See.. I have opened my home  to a very discerning group of people, and yes.. they are here to take a look around, figure out what I am doing and more than likely, they will have a ton of suggestions. You see... I joined a writing group.

You might remember about a month ago I mentioned I would be joining a co-worker of mine at a Writer's Group meeting here in Macon. At first, I got really excited- meeting people who have a passion for telling stories! I thought that perhaps I would be surrounded by people who would inspire me to work really hard on my writing. I sat through my first meeting, and I met a wide variety of people- different backgrounds, ages, interests, genres, personalities.. you name it! I listened as each person's writing was critiqued, and the same thought kept floating through my own head, "Oh no... I am not sure I am up for a critique."

I got home and pretty much just forgot about it. Then the email came, asking for submissions. I debated sending anything. Let's be serious for a minute, I'm not that serious of a writer. I don't write fiction, I typically stay away from poetry.. when I write for work, it's in a press release or magazine article that is edited by the editor. The truth is-  I write mini-essay/memoir~ish  dribble.. in a BLOG of all things.

However... I took a deep breath , then I cut and pasted my link and hit send.

Yep. That was at least a week or two back. I have not tried very hard to impress, and I feel guilty about that. Saturday is the meeting, and honestly.. I am bracing myself. Why? Because let's get honest for a second: My spelling is crap (always has been,) and my grammar is less than up to par (remember I was a BROADCAST JOURNALISM major.. I can tell a mean story with pictures and the spoken word.) But to do those things, you do have to come up with ideas.. and in turn, write those ideas down.

Finally... I submitted my blog.

*eek*

I feel like I have procrastinated, left the key to the door under the mat, and figured an inspection would be taking place at some point. I kept my typical editorial schedule: Things I have learned this week, Things I am obsessing over, and Weekend in Review. I shared my life - good and bad. Let's just hope they will be kind to the first timer. I feel privileged to be a part of this group; many are serious writers. I was even told by my friend that several have book deals and have been published. (Seriously published.) I promise, once I get to know everyone better, I will share a link to their work (if they have a website, etc.)

I guess what I am trying to say.. it's all a little intimidating.

Here I am - NOT sharing fiction, NOT working with editing software, and with no real agenda in mind.

Then it suddenly came to me... WHAT IF they  helped me develop some of the "deeper" posts and/or they could help me come up with new topic ideas. I could work on these pieces, then somehow turn them into a book. Perhaps.. perhaps...

"Whoa is me," says the blogger.

Whoa is me. ;-)