This evening I spent only one hour with a complete stranger. Yet when she left, I felt reenergized... replenished.
The first Monday and the second Tuesday of every month, I'm at a table at St. Louis Bread Co. Most times, it's just me, which is fine. I get some writing done. I get some papers graded. I play Wordscapes on my phone. I answer emails.
However, this time, I was pleasantly surprised. A woman came up to me and said, "Your name wouldn't by chance be Sioux?" Wonder of wonders, she was there to get some feedback on her picture book manuscript.
Asking too many questions (as is usual for me), I learned she had the idea for this book 15 years ago. This would be her first book baby. As I read her manuscript, I was charmed. The rhyme was natural and didn't stick out in a stilted fashion. (I hate when people can rhyme so seamlessly. ;) There was a flair to the plot. A sassyness to the characters that was delightful.
Spending time with other writers gives me energy... reignites my passion... makes my eyes dance and my hands wave and gesticulate.
When I spend time with other writers--even for only an hour--I'm spending time with my people...
