As an indie author (me, an author? – whoa!), I’ve joined a number of writers’ Facebook groups over the past few months. Self-publishing can sometimes be a difficult and lonely road, so I’m always grateful for the support that these groups offer.
Then a few days ago, as I was checking out a post inside one such group, I stumbled across another author who just so happens to live right here in my little town! What were the odds? And as it turns out, she’s already published three books of historical fiction.
Now you know how much I love reading works by fellow indie authors, so I soon found her on Goodreads and quickly added the first book in Tanya’s series to my bookshelf. I can’t wait to read it!
It just goes to show how small the world has become. And you never know who you’re going to meet. I’ve met so many amazing people through blogging and online communities of like-minded people. Chances are, I’ll never meet these people offline, but I definitely count them among my friends.
When I started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing (nothing new there), or that I would eventually be part of a wonderful blogging community. If you had asked me back then what a blogging community was, I wouldn’t have been able to answer your question.
It wasn’t until a few bloggers began liking my posts that I ventured outside my own small blog to see what was happening in the blogospere – a term I quickly learned when I began interacting with other bloggers.
Through those interactions, I met so many great people. Bloggers rock – just sayin’. 🙂 I also noticed that many of these bloggers were published authors. I was impressed to say the least. Eventually it got me to thinking about publishing my own book. Why not, right?
Fellow bloggers have been an invaluable source of support and encouragement since my very first blog. This is actually my second – created when I was looking for a new learning curve. I have no intention of starting a third blog, so this one should be here to stay.
In my early days of blogging, I was interviewed by the very talented Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha. As coincidence would have it, Jacqueline is also a poetry writer who now has two books published. Way to go, Jacqueline!
At the time of the interview, Jacqueline had published her first book and publishing was but an emerging dream for me. I managed to find that interview, so I’m including a link in case you’d like to check it out. You can check out the rest of Jacqueline’s blog while you’re there – should you so desire. She truly is an amazing lady. And you gotta love the name of her blog.
A Cooking Pot and Twisted Tales
If you don’t mind, I’d like to switch gears a bit here now and share a fun little poem about books that I whipped up this weekend. After all, books are like friends too, don’t you think?
An Ode to Books
Lore and other stories abound
here, there, and everywhere.
Worlds of mystery and fantasy
upstairs, downstairs –
another one under my bed!
Bookshelves filled all three
with elves, knights,
and lost souls alike.
Heroes and villains
(side by side)
are calling my name
on a Sunday afternoon
as the rain pitter-patters
to the rhythm of a new season.
And a new story begins!
©Brenda Baker ~ Caffeinated Ramblings 2018
Well, that’s it for this week. Until next time, be kind to yourself.
