Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Secret Society of the Alliterati

Word Count: Tender subject right now, okay?! Okay, okay. . . twist my arm--- it's still the same.

Ah, writers.

I love us.

I notice things, because I'm cognizant like that. One thing I've noticed in my fairly new wanderings into the blogosphere is how alliterative us writers are.

Actually, what this introduction boils down to is that I couldn't think of a clever alliterative title to go with "Thursday" for today's post. There, I said it. So, I think instead, I am going to try to write this entire post without being overtly alliterative.

Dang. I think "overtly alliterative" means I lost already. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound, right?

Kidding, I won't do that to you. Yet.

At any rate, we are a bunch of dreamers and imaginers. Word craft comes to us as we strive to find new ways to describe new things, or even the same old things. The blog posts and comments of writers are gently crafted, carefully nourished and when able to fly at last, set free into the internet for all to see. It's a beautiful thing.

But I think the thing that I like the most about writers online is that it's like belonging to a (very public) secret society. Some of us are anonymous, others share their real life and name without hesitation. Some of us play things close to the vest regarding our works, others post excerpts and whole chapters. Each member's level of secrecy is different, but everyone comes together into this great shifting whole that is a joy to belong to. I LOVE reading everyone else's thoughts and musings on their work and the writing process, and I love success stories. That's not even to mention the vast amount of knowledge available. I get all of that, here.

For me, it's like a place where I belong. I haven't told very many people in my life that I wrote/ am working on a book. Why? Because they give you that LOOK; you all know the one I'm talking about. The ones I have told have been extremely supportive, but the rest, probably won't know til/when/if it hits the shelves, and I can point to it and say, hey! Look! I wrote a book! (Ok, to be honest, I'll probably spill once I get my first rejection letter. A patient person, I am not.)

It's not that I don't belong in the real world, because obviously there are a few people that know, and I have my crit group, but even there, because it's at a college, I think, pursuing publication is somewhat of a high-falutin' idea. But here, in my secret society, I can freely express my hopes to be on the shelves at B&N someday. And you all support that hope, because you share it.

I am a proud member of the Secret Society of the Alliterati.

Say it with me, now. . . it's time for the Induction Mysteries:

I pledge to support all other writers' hopes and dreams as fully as my own, and to be the writer I want to be here, amongst my fellows.

I'm not going to hold you to that. But seriously, what do you like about blogging/ being a writer online?

I wish I was good at graphic design. I'd make a little badge.

Happy writing!



14 comments:

  1. I love my blogger writer friends. We are all on this journey together. Some are farther ahead. Some are behind. But, still, we are all in this together.

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  2. Hilarious! I feel the same. I love the online secret society. I love being able to talk to others that understand. I've told very few friends about my writing because I've found that very few people know what the publishing world is all about (and how difficult it is).

    We do need a badge...

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  3. LW, I think that's why it's such a welcoming environment. I love, too, that even those who have found success still stick around and help out those of us who haven't.

    And Regina, I'm hopeless as graphic design or I'd seriously consider making one, haha. It's just so special, I truly feel supported about this whole writing thing since I started this blog.

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  4. *That was supposed to be "at" graphic design.

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  5. OOOHHH, I want a badge, and a secret handshake. Honestly, I've had similar thoughts recently. My day life is all about the world of work. I like this world of publishing and I swear, if I'd found it sooner, I'd be finished with my WIP by now.

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  6. Renee-- I wish I'd found it sooner, too! But I'm glad things happened in the order they did, or I might not have had time to finish my first draft so quickly and move on into the mire of editing.

    The secret handshake is: Over, under, over, wrist clasp, slide out into a hand shake, turn around, high five, low five, wiggle the toes on your left foot and then play patty-cake until someone gets tired and slaps the other with a fish*.

    *Note: The fish slap is entirely optional. But I always enjoy Monty Python references.

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  7. I like it, sign me up. Wait, I'm already a member. Yay! I've been blogging for about three months and I love having the opportunity to communicate with like-minded people.

    So much sharing of information and support—awesome! Also, I’m a hardcore hermitous homebody, so I like the location and the hours. :) Great post!!

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  8. Strange-- same here. I love anything I can do from my couch! haha. . . and thanks :)

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  9. Nominated you for a Kreative Blogger award..check out my blog.

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  10. 1st rejection... umm... I think I'm going 40 - 50 strong (for 3 different things, granted... the 1st one's the hardest, although they all feel like sledgehammers to the gut).

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  11. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about blogging and their blogging buddies. Glad to have found your blog! :)

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  12. Ah, geez Bane! That stinks :( You're so witty and charming, someone has to bite soon, right? ;) Crossing my fingers you get a yes...

    And awww, thanks Elana! I'm glad you found me too :)

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  13. We're a weird bunch, we are. Writers I mean.

    That said, I love being part of it ... especially the fact that I know other people who get annoyed when someone says "ATM machine" or "GPS system" or "most biggest," or other similarly bothersome grammatical irregularities of the English language.

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  14. That we are, Matt, that we are. :)

    And yes, it's quite satisfactory and embiggening to be amongst fellow word aficionados.

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