The Person Behind the Blog
There's a bit of a theme here lately with our discussions about the benefits of blogging. Everyone agreed that meeting other writers ranked at or near the top of this list. How many of us have had the privilege of meeting another blogger in person?
Well, since you asked...I have! Heather Sunseri of Balance With Purpose and I recently got together. Since we live about an hour away from each other, we chose a spot in the middle that just happened to have a Starbucks. Wasn't that convenient? I know, I'll take any opportunity for a tall Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino.
We had a great visit, getting to know each other better and discussing blogging and writing. Books, articles, queries, conferences, writing classes, we covered a lot of ground. And it was all good. One of the best things about the visit, in my opinion anyway, was knowing that Heather 'gets' the writing life. Family and non writing friends can be very supportive, but only another writer 'gets' it like we do. After several hours we went our separate ways, but not without discussing getting together again. Thanks, Heather, it was a blessing to meet you.
Finish Strong
If you need some encouragement for the writing journey and can't meet with a blogger friend in person, check out Elana Johnson's guest post over at Sara Larson's blog. Elana candidly shares part of her writing adventures, including the rejection part, and tells us to Finish Strong. Quite inspiring.
So Tell Us!
Have you met other bloggers in person? At a conference? Over the phone? In a writing class? Share your experiences with us; we're all ears.
Happy weekend, and of course, happy writing!
Blessings,
Karen
Susan J. Reinhardt was my first and only.... hopefully, more to come! :O)
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous :( Anyone in Virginia?
ReplyDeleteOh, Karen. It was so nice to meet you as well! I loved our talk. And you're right - It is incredible to be able to meet another writer/blogger in person and share the writing life. Thanks for the amazing visit. Let's do it again very soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun it must have been to spend time together! I've never had the opportunity...yet. Who knows? So many other things have opened up since blogging, maybe meeting in person can still happen down the road, too. Thanks, Karen, for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteOooh, great question. Yes, I've met other bloggers in real life. Sara Larson. Ali Cross. Suzette Saxton. L.T. Elliot. Bethany Wiggins. Angie Lofthouse. Nisa Swineford. Nichole Giles. And lots of others. (Conferences will do that for you.)
ReplyDeleteAnd hey! Thanks for the shout out! <3
Yes, I have met my blogger friend that actually got me writing fiction twice now and cant wait to see her again. She lives clear across the country, so it will be a challenge. I am so thankful for her. I would love to meet you sometime too! Kentucky is only 1/2 way across the U.S. from me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Karen. You always have great resources for us.
Over the fun I have been able to meet my blog buddies since they are my crit group!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you posted this when you did because on Friday I'll be meeting another blog buddy and I'm excited! This one is in person at a book signing!
Hi Karen .. congratulations on your award from Stephen .. and I'd love to meet everyone .. who comments over on my blog and a few others .. Stephen for one, but he does comment - so that's great ..
ReplyDeleteJust I can't meet in the middle - we'd be very wet .. I'd be happy to meet in the Caribbean though?!
have a great weekend .. & I look forward to reading more of your posts .. Hilary
How fun! I wish I could have been at Starbucks with you both!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been so blessed to meet two blogger friends! It IS a small world!
Diane,
ReplyDeleteI was excited for both of you when I heard that you and Susan were getting together. It is fun!:)
Carol,
Will let you know if I ever get over your way. We'll have a cup of tea:)
Heather,
Yes, I'm ready when you are. It was fun to get together. Nice to know you are so close:)
Kenda,
It was fun! You never know when paths might cross. As Elana says, conferences help with that.
Elana,
Well, so far you seem to have met the most other bloggers. Conferences are great for doing that!
Jan,
That's a wonderful thing being that you got to meet someone from so far away. Just goes to show it happens sometimes!
Jen,
What fun, you get to see a good gang regularly! Have fun on Friday:)
Hilary,
Nice to meet you, and thanks:) Yes, I think it would be fun to meet all the followers at some point. Will hop over to your blog. Thanks for becoming a follower!
Jill,
That would have been fun! If you are ever in our area, let us know:) Glad you've gotten to meet a few bloggers.
Blessings to each of you,
Karen
Other than family members I have not met any bloggers. I have a daughter and a son who now have blogs, and 2 nieces and one nephew -- I believe all were motivated by my efforts and I try to encourage them in any way I can. I would like to meet other bloggers, but so far have not had an opportunity to do so. I'm hoping that someday there might be a conference or another opportunity where I can meet some of the bloggers with whom I correspond in the blog world.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
And yes I met Jan!! :)) I read Elana's article--really good! I can't believe how many queries she sent out! Makes my few mean nothing!
ReplyDeleteKaren:
ReplyDeleteI met Jeanette L. in person before I met her on facebook (Susan R. suggested I friend her.) Then we told each other about our blogs. Does that count?
Lee,
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention family bloggers, I forgot that my son and daughter blog too. So technically I've met them:) I imagine at some point you will connect with a blogger in real life.
Terri,
I thought maybe you'd met one of our blogging friends. Elana's article was encouraging, wasn't it?
Cecelia,
Of course it does! It's just fun to connect with other writers, whether through blogging or FB or other means.
Thanks and blessings to all of you,
Karen
Yes. I've met Debbie from Heart Choices several times now; and together we met up with Mary of Pile of Smiles. It's been such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I ALMOST got to meet you, as well as another blogger, Shirl, when I was recently in Louisville. Next time I'll build in extra time for the connections.
I've come to see these "virtual" friendships as just one more way the Lord is building His very real church!
Blessings,
Kathleen
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteToo funny - wait until you see the name of my post tomorrow!
Yes, as Diane mentioned, we recently met. I've met a lot of people at conferences, who later became blogging buddies.
Blessings,
Susan :)
How awesome that you and Heather were able to meet! I love both of your blogs! I've not had the opportunity to meet fellow bloggers, but I'd love to! Thanks for the heads up on Elana's guest post. God bless!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes!
ReplyDeleteJeanette of Audience of One jumps to my mind. She is an amazing writing friend.
I know other writers as well but don't think we met through blogging. Come to think of it, Jeanette and I met at a book signing.
Sigh. After ACFW this year, I will be able to holler YES!!!!
Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteI guess you could say we had a 'near miss'! No pressure, ever, but I'm always open to seeing a blogging friend:)
Susan,
I'm so glad you both had a good time:) It is a nice perk to blogging when you can meet.
Maria,
Yes it was fun! Thanks for the compliment:) Heather has a great blog.
Patti,
Jen is a sweet friend, that's for sure. You'll have to update us on your count after ACFW!
Thanks and blessings to each of you,
Karen
I have: my friend Liz, we live in the same town!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to meet you Karen and have this famous cup of tea, wherever... Father God knows.
I have been invited to so many places because of blogland. When I have the time I am getting myself a round the world ticket...
Big hug and kisses. xxx
Raymonde,
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to our visit someday with that cup of tea or coffee or whatever!
Hugs and kisses to you too, my friend:)
Karen
No I haven't but would really like to! Interestingly, 90% of my blogger friends are in the US. I have a few from Canada that I will definitely make an effort to meet at Starbucks or someone similar when in their areas. I'm happy to hear you met one of yours!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to meet Jeanette Levellie (Audience of One) sometime soon. She's offering to dust off her map, pick a spot that's roughly in the middle, and then drive her half to meet me. I met her over on the Army of Ermas blog.
ReplyDeleteShe's turned out to be a kindred spirit and a wonderful encourager...a treasure I found on a blog!
How great that you met a blogger friend.
ReplyDeleteLast week, while in Ireland, I met three blogging buddies. Here's the post:
http://theresamilstein.blogspot.com/2010/06/dublin-past-and-present.html
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting. I have several blogger friends (including you:) in Canada and overseas, but never gave it much thought. I agree, Starbucks is a great place to meet!
Rhonda,
Nice to meet you; thanks for coming by! Jeanette really is a treasure and would be fun to meet in person:)
Blessings to both of you,
Karen
I have not met or spoke with on single blogging buddy. But I hope to do so at book signings soon.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
There are several bloggy friends that I would love to meet in person. When I start going to writers conferences I hope to see some familiar faces! Maybe I'll give you a visit the next time I visit my mom in KY. KY is certainly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love your new design!
Yep, I've met other ones and it's always amazingly wonderful!
ReplyDeleteStephen,
ReplyDeleteI am sure with all of your upcoming book signings or other activities that you will meet a lot of blogging friends. Best wishes on the events!
Alisa,
I'm with you, there are so many people that I'd like to meet! You'll have to give me a shout when you make it to KY:)
Jessica,
It is great, that's for sure! It's one very nice perk of this writer's life.
Thanks and blessings to all of you,
Karen
I haven't met anyone...yet! :) Looking forward to that part of the adventure, though!
ReplyDeleteI haven't met any other bloggers from Wyoming! If you run into any, let me know! but I have found another blogger (who has also become a crit partner) that lives about 60 miles away just south of me in Colorado. So hoping to meet her one of these days - no coffee shops between us though, only mountains!
ReplyDeleteI meet fellow writers through my writer's group and conferences. My Christian writer's workshop at Glen Eyrie Castle was amazing!
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteSooner or later, I expect, it happens to everyone. Make sure you meet somewhere fun, too:)
Margo,
I'd be willing to make a trip to WY to see you. We went to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole on vacation some years ago. Would love to go back. I'm sure we could find somewhere to meet:)
Thanks and blessings to both of you,
Karen
I haven't met any, but how lucky you are! ANd why am I suddenly craving a strawberry and creme frappuccino?
ReplyDeleteI have met other bloggers, usually at conferences. I do think it's a neat idea for you to meet another blogger, one on one, in your area.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to meet any of my blogging friends. As a matter of fact, living out in the woods in North Alabama - there are days when I rarely meet any people (other than family). :D Ah, the lonely life of the internet writer.
ReplyDeleteAnne,
ReplyDeleteIt was fun. :) As far as cravings go, somehow I am in the mood for one too!
Cecelia,
It's nice to know when they are close by in case you need an emergency meeting at Starbucks!
Kathryn,
Yes, it can be a solitary life, especially depending on where you live, and the kind of personality you are.
Thanks to all of you for coming by and commenting.
Blessings,
Karen
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteI haven't met my blogging buddies in person yet, but I sure hope to someday. Perhaps at a writers conference. I do actually have 3 blogging friends that I already knew, before the blog.
Even though I haven't met in person, I have made some wonderful friendships that I treasure!