Beginnings 4/17/19

April 17,2019

Hello-
I created this blog as a canvas for me to share all kinds of things that you may or may not find interesting. At times, you might discover  a new recipe you'd like to try or perhaps a book suggestion. More often than not, you'll read stories about my day to day life.
 I've started other blogs but each had a purpose. This one does not. I need a place to express myself and frankly my Word docs are filling up my hard drive files. I'm just going with whatever I have ready to post. It might be daily or weekly or yeah...hmm...whenever. So, tune in frequently. You don't want to miss anything juicy. Be sure to check out the tab of extra pages on the right side of the home page to see some other Quilter Cook pages.
Let's get started...

Tonight, I had about a half hour to play around on my laptop before a writing group meeting so I challenged myself to write a short piece in 15 minutes. Here's what transpired.

Beginnings

I lost exact count, but I believe it was on the third trip around the block that I clicked on my blinker and made the turn into the library parking lot.

Tonight, I’m attending a writing group for the first time. I am not sure who will be attending. I only know the leader. She’s a famous published author. As she has a real contract with a publishing house that pays her real money on a regular basis to write books. She was my instructor a few summers ago at a writing conference here in the city. She told us then that her writing group was by invitation only.

Two months ago, I received an invitation.

There’s a lot riding on this two hour meeting. I don’t really understand why I am here or what I will be doing if I’m not really in the group yet. I’m on a short waiting list. Yet, here I am. Ok, I hope that is explained. Does this mean I am only observing and taking notes for future meetings I will attend as a full-fledged member? Will I be asked questions about my writing? Just in case, I am ready.

“So, what genre do you write?” Asks a disheveled old guy in a coffee stained t-shirt.

“I am working on a cozy mystery.” I will say this with confidence and with pride.

“Oh?” responds the lady across from me with the big knotty wart on her nose.

“Yes, and oh I also write a column for a local magazine.” I take a slow pull from my lukewarm coffee as I meet the stares of those unpublished around me.

“How long have you been writing? The column I mean?” asks the college girl in the WI Badger hoodie who has been eyeing me up and down since I walked into the meeting.

“Hmm… about five years now in May. I write for Your Family magazine published by Verona Press.” I take another sip knowing most sitting at the table have no idea it’s a penny saver rag. I'm not telling them either. I write for free. Zippo. I don't advertise that part of my story. 

“What got you into writing?” asks the very polite older woman to my right. I notice she’s been silently counting my sips. I'm guessing she's wondering if I’m fake drinking or I really have something in my cup.

“Actually, one day I decided that the imaginary people who lived in the imaginary town in my head needed to tell their story. So, I sat down and began to type and then I posted the tale on an online forum and soon had over 250,000 readers.” I sit and wait to be tossed out of the room or asked to prove my readership numbers on the spot.

“Well, that’s certainly interesting…” says an older gentleman who could sign up  for a Santa gig for extra cash around the holidays.

With that, the group changes direction and starts chatting among themselves while my heart continues to beat like a bass drum as I try feverishly try not to appear terrified. Am I in? Am I in?

More importantly, does anyone have a Tums?

-The Quilter Cook  4/17/19

Please Note: Let the record show that the above piece is mostly fiction. I asked to attend the group. If I ever make it past the short waiting list I may be asked to officially join. This was just a fun writing jag. No persons or conversation even closely resembled anything above. Just saying.
It was a delightful evening among fellow writers! I can only hope to be asked to join!