Why being a writer is solitary, but being an author is a team sport

And wombat poop is square, did you know?

Being a writer is a solitary act, but being an author is a team sport. I was thinking this yesterday, as I was watching my friend Laura Roettiger at her story time event for her new book An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story at Second Star to the Right Bookstore.

Let me tell you about Laura Roettiger.

Laura is one of those people who just shows up. And when I say that, I mean she shows up: she attends book launches, takes pictures, features authors on her blog… And that’s aside from just being an all-round great friend to everyone.

Now, Laura had to wait a long time for this new book to come out. Just like the rest of us, she waited patiently while the slow wheels of publishing churned.

I drove to Denver yesterday, determined to show up for Laura the same she’s shown up for me and so many others.

If you have a person like Laura in your life, don’t forget to show up for them every once in a while, too.

This is Laura, signing her books. As an aside, guess who else showed up? A whole room (or in this case: the lovely bookstore backyard) full of SCBWI friends. I did not get a picture of us all, but it was truly a heartwarming afternoon. The sun even made an appearance.

Oh, and you should buy Laura’s book. Her presentation on how wombats got to be heroes was phenomenal. We contemplated at length how wombat poop is square and how this is possible (this is what happens when you get a bunch of children’s book writers together).

How’s the Writing Going, Fleur?

It’s going well, thanks for asking. I’m over the middle portion of this first draft, clocking in at 27K words. I’m hoping to finish this draft by the end of March, when I’ll be kissing the ground I walk on. This is a WWII historical that’s killing my soul a little the more I research and write…

I’m also revising my YA mystery one more time before it will make the rounds with editors. Wish me luck. And I’m hoping to dive back into the non-fiction writing craft book after that. Idle hands and all that.

What Else I’m Doing

I’ve been wrapping up some minor DIY (hanging a light, putting in shoes around the flooring) but hope to get a hike in this Sunday. It’s beautiful out, which means the hiking trails call my name…

Your Weekly Floof

Floof has been replaced by the doggo in this picture. Don’t worry, she was taking a fat nap in the other room.