My box of the soon-to-be-on-sale Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just Us Girls arrived today. And I'm in it...twice.
Okay, to be more accurate, I have only one story ("My Circle of Friends") that is part of the anthology, but in another story, I am one of the featured characters. That story is called "Wild Women Wielding Pens" and is written by the Chicken Soup Queen Linda O'Connell. It's a warm, well-crafted story about the critique group I'm lucky enough to belong to.
But hold your horses! Linda is not the only writer-friend who has a story published in this collection. Lisa Ricard Claro has a story about a friendship that seems odd...at first. Her tale made me think of the unlikely friendships I've formed over the years, and made me consider what I would have missed out on if I had just gravitated towards people who looked and acted like me...
A group of women who are good friends...There is nothing rowdier or more supportive. And there's nothing that enriches our lives more...
Who is one of your best friends? Share a story about them or tell why they're such a good friend. Nosey people like me want to know...
You are so right about women friends! We are so lucky to have them, so many of them. Over 40 years ago we made friends with a couple in a duplex in Hazelwood. We have managed to stay in touch ever since, meeting every few years. Now they are on the path home from our kids so we can at least be sure of a few hours now and then.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I hope to have some time to stay there a few days. I am curious too...do you live near Linda? Congrats to both of you being together in a book...so fun isn't it?
Claudia--I'm glad you have had those friends for 40 years and are able to see them occasionally.
ReplyDelete(Linda lives about 20 or 30 minutes from me. It is indeed fun...)
I have my best college friend, Bean, who knows all my deep dark secrets. Not only does she know where the bodies are buried, she would gladly help dig them up and redistribute them, no questions asked. I haven't talked to her for several years, but we could pick up again like it was yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThen I have my best ex-teaching buddy, Mabel, who always has my back, who offered to sit with me in the hospital when I had my thyroid ripped out, whose mother used to compare me to Mother Teresa, who texts me every weekday morning. Mabel is the biggest believer in my writing. "We are just teachers. But you have done something that will last forever." Yeah. She's a good egg, that Mabel.
And Val, Mabel is right. Your writing IS something that will last. Long after your students have forgotten their school memories, people will be picking up books and reading your work. And laughing. And wetting their pants. And shaking their head over the twisted sense of humor you wield delicately, like a scalpel...
DeleteI have a friend like your Bean--we catch up every few years, and the time since our last visit or chat disappears...
Well, you see, there's this flippant, cute little red head, smart whippersnapper who has a way with people...of all ages, young and OLD alike. Thanks, friend.
ReplyDeleteLinda--Back at ya! I think on WWWP nights, I don't even need a car to get home--I think my rejuvenation and laughter alone would get me there...
DeleteNow I know why my story, titled "Wild Women Wielding Pens" didn't make it because the Queen comes first. But I'm happy for you and the Queen. I still have friends from grade school and have made other life long friends along the way... I have a sign I picked up on clearance, but I may have bought it regardless that said, "The best accessories a girl can have are her friends." (or something like that.) And it's so true.
DeleteLynn--You are sooo right. Good friends are way-better than any scarf or necklace or pair of earrings.
DeleteFriends from grade school? I'm impressed. I still have a close friend from my school days, but she and I met in 7th grade.
The only drawback to the WWWPs: What happens in critique group...gets published in nationally known anthologies. Should we be worried?
ReplyDeleteTammy--Yes, we should be afraid. We should be VERY afraid...Linda has a steel jaw trap of a memory, and we're featured in the story in frightening detail. Even the lake "retreat" and our swimsuits (shudder).
DeleteHow awesome that all 3 of you are in this book. Looks like a real winner to me!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Pat--
DeleteYes, it's like the one stooge (me) and the two non-stooges.
Hi Sioux, congratulations on having your story in this book -- and hey, being a character is pretty cool too! Congrats to everyone whose story is featured. Can't wait to curl up, snuggle in, and read them all!
ReplyDeleteTeri--Thanks, and looking forward to seeing you in December. It should be a fun day.
DeleteHow impressive that you are all in the one volume. Congrats. It's truly special when friendships go deep and last. I've moved around so much that I am blessed with a good number of special women in my life, but I've moved around so much that it's difficult to share the silly and not so silly daily stuff that binds us more tightly. It's weird. my best high school friend and I have that deep bond and I've never even met her husband or grown kids.
ReplyDeleteMarcia--You're right. We women are able to "compartmentalize" our lives so we can dip in deeply into different facets of our lives, when necessary.
DeleteI'm so proud to have a story included in this book with you and Linda! And thanks for the link up. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa--The feeling is mutual. Maybe we can do a book signing midway between Georgia and Missouri? No? (Sigh.)
Delete