I recently discovered the most perfect job on the face of the Earth. For many years now, I’ve worked with my best friend, my editor, and my fellow writer, Jen Ownbey. We toss ideas back and forth, help each other out with plot holes, and basically make a mostly solitary career/pastime into a companionable activity.
A new Twitter friend was having trouble with her book. I offered to help and Jen jumped in with praise for my ability to see the next step in a story. I gaffawed, pleased that my bestie thinks so highly of me, but rather sure that the 18 or so years of friendship and our telecommunication was the reason I was good with her stories. But, I’m never one to turn down the opportunity to read something new and I thought maybe I could help a fellow author get over her writer’s block.
It was AWESOME! I loved her story, I could see the way the different plot options could work with the rest of the book, and I could hardly wait to send back my comments so she would write more (selfishly because I really want to read the rest of the book!). Her response made what has been a bit of a shittastic week so much better.
And that’s how I discovered what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be a book whisperer. I want to help authors who are stuck, pounding their heads against the brick wall that is writer’s block, overcome the obstacles in front of them so books can be birthed. I loved the feeling! I loved getting to read her story. For the first time in years, I got paid to do something I truly love, that makes me satisfied and made me smile. It was such an amazing feeling.
Check out my link on the navigation bar of my website. I would love to continue helping authors who are stuck. If that’s you, or someone you know, send them my way. I would love to help! And, ya know… read some more amazing new stories!
Lanie Goodell 