First, there were three...
Many years ago, there were three writers who started out together: Denise Hunter (the serious one), Colleen Coble (the mother) and me, Kristin Billerbeck (the punch line.) Then, at one Mount Hermon conference, we added a new writer to our midst: Diann Hunt. Never had I met another woman who had the same luck as me. We were INSTANT friends, and although I am not a Hoosier, they let me stick around.
GirlsWriteOut was born out of this friendship and our love for the written word. Even though, none of us write the same things any longer, we are bound for our love for each other and each other’s writing careers. One success is all our success and likewise on the failures.
When we get good news or bad, we still want to share it with our girls before our husbands because only they truly understand the ups and downs, the rocky path of working in the arts for a living.
This week, we welcome a fifth Musketeer into our “All for one and one for all” writers’ group: Cheryl Hodde, who writes as “Hannah Alexander” with her husband Mel, an ER doctor. They write medical suspense and if you haven’t read them, you will LOVE them. As writers, they have the great characterization and wonderful medical details that make their homey Ozarks’ settings come to life. As people, they just don't get any better.
We have been on this journey together a long time. Mel and Cheryl overcame a terrible allergic reaction from a Missionary flu shot with NAET and natural healing. So that’s another thing we all have in common. Cheryl has always been the kind of person where we can sit down with her, and it’s like our conversation dropped off yesterday. We hear from one another all the time online, but this week, Cheryl stayed with us in our suite and what a blast we all had!! We didn't have to share her with Mel and no offense Mel, but we loved having our girl time.
So please, join me in welcoming our fifth “Girls Write Out” blogger, Cheryl Hodde. She'll begin on Friday.
Now Cheryl. Say something brilliant. No pressure.
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21 Comments:
HI-
I guess I am the first reader to welcome you, Cheryl, to the group! I am SO excited that you are here and look forward to your blogs.
I have many of the books written by you and your husband. I have enjoyed every single one of them and always look forward to new ones! I used to live in KC and I have been to the Ozark area many times.
This blog is great for readers like myself - but what pressure to write to an author! I hesitate each time I click, "Publish Your Comment".
It only took me 30 minutes to write this post. :)
"Welcome"
Cheri
Wow! Congrats Cheryl. I am looking forward to getting to know you in the cyber world better. I enjoy the posts here and check it out daily. I enjoy everyones books, but would be interested in knowing each one's journey. Kristen said in her post that each one of you have grown and as an aspiring writer, I would like to see how you have journeyed through it.
Thanks.
Welcome, Cheryl! I'm sure you will be a terrific addition to Girls Write Out! I look forward to your posts. :-)
So excited to hear that Cheryl is joining the blog. Did you get new pics made while y'all were together? I was thrilled to finally meet Cheryl the night she registered and I was helping with meal tickets. I told her then I had read that three-book series she and Mel wrote several years ago and couldn't put them down. Ever since I've been a fan. Was just sorry Mel was back home working.
I'll be looking forward to hearing what she has to say.
Welcome Cheryl!!!
Poor Cheryl, pushed into the pool! LOL I'm looking forward to your posts. :)
Oh that's so cool!! Yay, Cheryl!
Love, Rachel
Welcome, Cheryl! It'll be fun to have you added to the mix!
Cheri, it was worth the effort! You go girl, thanks for posting!
What a great post, Kristin!
We're excited to have you join us with our cyber friends, Cheryl! What a fun time we will have!!
Thanks, Kris. You didn't tell them that I cried when you guys asked me to join, because I had just been thinking, "You know, I'd love to be a part of this group, but there's no way I'm asking." I mean, we writers get enough rejection, we're usually very tentative about inviting more. I'm thrilled.
It was so great to meet new friends at ACFW, as well as reconnecting with long-time friends. (See? That's how you keep from calling anyone old. They aren't old friends, they're long-time.) I'm so anticipating this blog and meeting more friends!
Cheryl
Good to have great friends that you have something in common with, I love to read so I feel as though all of you are my best friends
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
Edna, that is SO sweet of you to say! I am glad it shows (the love between us) and that we can include everyone this way. Makes it all worthwhile when we're feeling particularly uninspired.
I agree with Kris. All I need for inspiration is to go back and read some of their posts...or one of their books! I just finished Denise's Seaside Letters, so I'm imagining myself to be in Nantucket now...
Oh, and Cheri, never feel pressure about posting to an author. We're not editing your words, we're enjoying them.
Cheryl
Edna, I loved what you said! So sweet! By the way, my mom's name is Edna, too! :-)
Welcome Cheryl! The biggest problem you'll have is getting to know all of US because as the GWO has grown, so has its readers/friends/fans (whatever you want to call us!)
We call you FRIENDS, Suzanne! :-)
Kristin, You're a HOOT! Can't wait for more from the now quartet of wonderful authors. If I were to ever be published, I'd long to be a part of this tight-knit, loving and fun supportive group of women:-)
How exciting! I love the Hannah Alexander books!!
Colleen is absolutely on the mark. When you spend hours reading our books, and then take time out to get to know us, that's friendship in a real way. You guys don't realize how much we appreciate that. Or maybe you do, since Colleen, Denise, Diann and Kristin all speak from their hearts.
Cheryl
I have read a few Hannah Alexander books and I am a fan. Actually, I am fan of all the writers that post here. You are awesome ladies!! Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Leticia! I'm a fan of all these writers, too. They're all different, and all great!
Cheryl
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