I'll do my dreaming with my eyes wide open

~Tony Arata

A couple weeks ago, before I had to have my cat put down, before our frigid-but-fun camping trip, I posted the first chapter of my WoManuscript, The Goodness of Meredith Beam.

Not only did several of you amazing internet buddies of mine actually sit down to read it, but you left me long, astute, spot-on critiques that I believe will not only help me immensely with this novel, but will change the course of my writing for the better.

Thank you so much The Mom, M, Ninja Mama, Mama O'Matrices, Wendy, Mommy Time, Anne Nahm, Laura in LA, Foolery, Deb and BOSSY. And thank you Kristy Alley, Slouching Mom and Doobleh-Vay for emailing me offline and offering to read my revised chapter.

I am completely blown away by your generosity. I mean, really. There is nothing tangible in this for you. You're simply helping a fellow blogger with her dream and for that I am SO grateful. And hopeful for mankind too.

If any of you are interested, I've posted a revised version of Chapter One in my sidebar. Over there to the right under the Feed Icon.

•••••

One night last week I had the pleasure of getting together with some Seattle Mom Bloggers. In attendance were Kathryn from Daring Young Mom, Jenny from Absolutely Bananas, Carrie, of Growing a Baby in Seattle fame, Eve of Good Enough, Carrie from Stop Screaming I'm Driving, Stacy, Miss Mama-Om and Mona from Kirida.

Even though I was using a clunky old, 2 Megapixel Canon that I had to bash with my palm three times before every snap, I got a couple cute pics.

The sky, on the way home, was GORGEOUS.

I tried to capture the Space Needle from a stoplight and, well, I got this.

Seattle. First and Denny. A cold, clear night.

Comments

[Carrie]

I can't wait to read your revised chapter when I get a minute! And it was so fun hanging out with you last week.

[Jen-The Mom]

ANY TIME! I love reading and I love your blog, so I know anything you write is fantastic! I can't wait for another opportunity! ;)

[kirida]

It was really nice to meet you!

[Don Mills Diva]

I love meeting my blog buddies face to face - can't wait for BlogHer!

[San Diego Momma]

I'm glad I was able to read some of your work in progress.
Thanks for putting it out there.

I want to read the revised chapter ASAP! (Kids willing)

Deb
sandiegomomma.com

[nutmeg]

I'm looking forward to reading it! Is your first one still up? I'm rather obsessed with seeing revision. It's the editor in me!

[foolery]

I was honored to get a chance to read your first chapter, and I will read the revised version, too, probably at lunch. You are very talented.

Wish we had more bloggers in my area to get to meet, and all of the ones I love to read -- certainly including All Adither -- are too far away for a meet-up. Looks like it was a good time!

[BOSSY]

So. Wait. Do you mean to tell Bossy you are now getting together and having fun without her? So. Jealous.

[Liz]

I stumbled onto your blog via Pioneer Woman, and am so interested in reading your first chapter. I've done the same thing this week, and people's comments have been so helpful to me. Thought I'd pass around the good karma...

[Lulu]

I am sooooooo envious that you are able to get together with other bloggers in your community!! Looks like a blast!

[Tootsie Farklepants]

Internet peeps are awesome!

[Kari WElch]

I miss the color of the June Seattle sky....

[the mama hood]

I have never been to Seattle before, I hear it's beautiful! Glad to hear you all had fun!