“She’s Alive!”

It’s Wednesday, the third day after returning from the Surrey International Writers’ Conference, and I do feel somewhat like I’ve risen from the dead. (Or maybe it’s because my kids got me into watching Walking Dead. Which is awesome… and I don’t even LIKE zombies.)

My talented friend Nick.

But the past year for me has been something of a dead zone. Like various bits and pieces of my life have been stuck on “pause.” Like I’m living in that ominous time between the flash and boom that lets you know how close you are to the storm. (“Pause?” “Flash?” Duh. Try “menopause.”)

This conference, and the friends I meet up with there every year, brings me back to life. You know who you are – or maybe you don’t. Our interactions might be brief and maybe I met you this year for the first time, but you did something that helped me believe in myself again.

Pam Patchett, my eloquent and thoughtful friend – and fellow dog-lover – on the other side of the country, who is so generous with her hugs, and whom I never get to spend enough time with! Deb Andersonwho always has the coolest hair, and so much energy!

Sheri, my NaNoWriMo and FastDraft partner.

Aggie Stevens, another NaNoWriMo partner, who gave me a psychic reading that I TOTALLY BELIEVE!

Sheri Hart who I only met last year but I feel like I’ve known for much longer, Nick Andreychuk who always inspires me with his productivity and cool ideas, the whole gang at the RWA Greater Vancouver Chapter…. and then, of course, the Big Name Authors…

… the Celebrities who inspire We’re-Not-Worthy Fan-girl moments … after which everyone settles down to have an ordinary conversation over butter chicken.

After all, wherever we are on the path of publication, we’re all writers struggling with the same stuff:

Butt in chair, hands on keyboard.

Sit down at the typewriter and open a vein.

Thank you, my friends, for reminding me that I’m not alone.