Everyone’s heard the saying “Nice guys finish last.” You might even remember the Green Day song: “Nice guys finish last; you're running out of gas; your sympathy will get you left behind...” (And here I end my embarrassing ‘90’s music segue before it goes too far.) Recently, I read an article about a group of scientists who set out to prove this theory false. They were right. In an intricate experiment, they discovered that nice guys really do better than those who utilize cruelty or ruthlessness to get what they want. I don’t know about you, but that’s a comfort to me. Kindness prevails. As it should.
So what does this have to do with us? In April, on Jane Richardson’s Home Thoughts From A Broad, I blogged about the incredible kindness and support I’d found within the romance genre since joining Romance Writers of America and the Gulf Coast Romance Writers along with several other groups and publishers. I mentioned that romance writers, while we are not without our opinions, transgressions or clashes, seem to share a distinctive generosity of spirit.
Think about it. What other genre has a non-subsidy non-vanity publisher like The Wild Rose Press whose main goal is to grow writers? A huge part of TWRP’s website, The Garden Gate, is geared toward this objective. And let’s not forget RWA is one of the largest organizations of writers at over ten-thousand strong with branches of helpful networks : PAN (Published Authors Network), PRO (Pre-Published Network), and over a hundred regional and online chapters that make it easy for all writers—no matter who you are—to connect with others.
The connections I’ve made personally in this genre are precious to me and not in a business sense. Whether I need advice, encouragement, understanding, a shoulder or a kick, I know where to go. As isolating as the process of writing is, being able to speak and connect with others who understand this is a gift I hope I never take for granted.
With the storms in the Gulf and the anniversary of September 11th, I think this would be an appropriate week to discuss the kindnesses we’ve witnessed within the romance genre. Has someone done something outstanding for you? What about those little kindnesses that mean just as much? Come on, let’s hear about it!
Writers, sound off :)
*Thoughts and prayers go out those effected by Hurricane Ike. Stay safe, please…
So what does this have to do with us? In April, on Jane Richardson’s Home Thoughts From A Broad, I blogged about the incredible kindness and support I’d found within the romance genre since joining Romance Writers of America and the Gulf Coast Romance Writers along with several other groups and publishers. I mentioned that romance writers, while we are not without our opinions, transgressions or clashes, seem to share a distinctive generosity of spirit.
Think about it. What other genre has a non-subsidy non-vanity publisher like The Wild Rose Press whose main goal is to grow writers? A huge part of TWRP’s website, The Garden Gate, is geared toward this objective. And let’s not forget RWA is one of the largest organizations of writers at over ten-thousand strong with branches of helpful networks : PAN (Published Authors Network), PRO (Pre-Published Network), and over a hundred regional and online chapters that make it easy for all writers—no matter who you are—to connect with others.
The connections I’ve made personally in this genre are precious to me and not in a business sense. Whether I need advice, encouragement, understanding, a shoulder or a kick, I know where to go. As isolating as the process of writing is, being able to speak and connect with others who understand this is a gift I hope I never take for granted.
With the storms in the Gulf and the anniversary of September 11th, I think this would be an appropriate week to discuss the kindnesses we’ve witnessed within the romance genre. Has someone done something outstanding for you? What about those little kindnesses that mean just as much? Come on, let’s hear about it!
Writers, sound off :)
*Thoughts and prayers go out those effected by Hurricane Ike. Stay safe, please…
