The winner of yesterday’s giveaway, a copy of THE DADDY CATCH is: Heather Burch. Congratulations, Heather! Please email your address to mariageraci1@gmail.com to receive your copy of Leigh’s book.
Book clubs, Bunco, girls night out. It’s all an excuse to get together with our favorite people in the world- other girls! And whether you’re twenty or sixty, I insist that “girl” is the word most women use to refer to their friends (hence the word “girlfriend”).
All my books center around the power of female relationships. I firmly believe that you gotta be right with your girlfriends in order to feel right about yourself. Now, I don’t mean that you have to be a sheep. We’ve all seen the film, Mean Girls (and if you haven’t, then you should, because it’s not just for teenagers). We know the power of the clique used badly can lead to a lot of teenage angst and low self-esteem. But I also believe that it’s through the power of other women that we empower ourselves. What female writer doesn’t have Jane Austen on her list of favorite authors? If you ask most women who their role model is, they’ll answer their mother or their grandmother or some other influential woman in their life.
When we get together with our girlfriends, whether it’s to discuss books, play Bunco or cards, go out for dinner or drinks, or sing in the church choir, we’re with the people who most understand what it’s like to be us. We can let our proverbial hair down. After a night with my girls I always feel refreshed and ready to tackle the demands of wife, mother, author, nurse and all the other hats I wear in life. Plus, it’s just plain old good fun!
This is a picture of me with my Bunco group the night I announced I’d sold my first novel. They were all so thrilled for me!
This is a picture of my sister, Carmen (sitting on the floor) and her friends at a spa birthday party all holding up copies of my books.
For more fun pictures, recipe and get together ideas, or take my Which Bunco Babe are you? quiz, please visit my Girls Night Out page on my website.
And have a happy Memorial Day weekend!
What great fun! Love your pictures!
I was with a terrific bunch of girls last night – romance writers from my chapter. We were putting together bags and baskets for our conference next weekend. I drove there and back with another member, too. That’s always fun, even when there’s work involved.
Edie,
Writers are the best girlfriends ever. I’ve learned so much from my fellow authors, who are always beyond generous!
Hi Maria! I had great fun chatting at Magical Musings yesterday. It was almost as much fun as your Bunco group. Love the pictures!
And congratulations to Heather Burch for winning a copy of THE DADDY CATCH. I’ll get that into the mail for her asap!
Leigh,
Thanks again for being my first official guest here at Magical Musings! You were great!
Hi,
This brings up the importance of having that group of like minded individuals (writers or readers or a combination of both). I miss it. I moved almost 4 years ago and now all my friends are a long ways away. You all look like you’re having such fun!
Dale
Thanks, Dale! The top picture is one of my favorite memories
Great post, Maria!!
I have a couple groups of friends I love getting together with whenever we can (I just saw my local writing pals this week and have plans with my hometown friends for next week
). And I agree — when I’m with them, I feel most like myself. They know all the ups and downs of family life and writing life, and are there for me no matter what’s happening. I also love, once a year, getting to see so many of my RWA peeps (like you last year in Orlando!), since distance keeps us from getting together for cocktails or desserts when not at a conference…
Hope you have a fun Memorial Day Weekend, too!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Halloweenin May!
Thanks, Marilyn. I’m so bummed I won’t get to see you in New York this summer at RWA. Have a great time (without me!) and hopefully we’ll see each other again soon
I’m with Edie. I was with that same group last night and despite the million and one things to be done, we still had a terrific time.
It seems like most of my best friends are hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. Many are writers who I’ve met at conferences. Some are friends that I’ve gathered over the years and have moved across state. (I’m still mad at my friend, Sally, for moving to the West Coast
)
I always find it amazing that no matter how often you see someone … especially a girlfriend, you never seem to run out of things to say.
Love the photos, Maria. Looks like loads of fun.
Thanks, Liz.
I hate saying good bye to old friends who have to move away. Thank God for the internet!
Hi, Maria, I love this post! My bunco group has been together for 12 years with very little turnover! I agree, that women empower women. We are most def are the luckier of the sexes!
Hi, Karin! Isn’t Bunco night the best ever?
I love supportive ladies.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day, too!
Cynthia Eden`s last blog was …NEVER CRY WOLF Giveaway
Thanks, Cynthia!
Maria, I love getting together with my bookclub friends. We meet every 6 weeks and I really look forward to it.
And as for RWA National, it is the one time each year I get to see a whole lot of friends I only talk to online through the year. I cannot wait for that.
Michelle Diener`s last blog was …I’m being interviewed at Get Lost in a Story today
Michelle,
I’m so bummed I’m missing RWA Nationals this year. But it just can’t be helped. Have a great time!