Recently I sat down to write the acknowledgments page for my forth-coming middle grade novel, Seeing Cinderella. As I jotted down a list of people I wanted to thank for their support and encouragement I realized there was one group in particular that I wanted to thank: My Journey Girls.
These are my friends. My life-long soul sisters who know not only my fiercest hopes, but my greatest insecurities and my deepest shortcomings…and they love me anyway.
Much has been commented upon in recent years of “girl meanness” and the cattiness that exists among women. But that is not my experience with my Journey Girls. As they have watched me grow from sheepishly admitting I write fiction in my spare time to becoming a soon-to-be published author, they’ve taken it upon themselves to become my personal cheering squad:
One friend has decided I need official “author” stationary, and is designing it for me. Another, a charismatic motivational speaker, is bound and determined to promote my book at her trainings. Another is one of my beta readers, and serves as my sounding board when I just need to ramble for a few minutes (or a few hours) about my plot. Another is my inspiration and unofficial guide to some health/fitness changes I want to make. Another just recently gifted me with an engraved coffee mug, and didn’t blink when I told her that I really do write better if I have a hot cup of coffee sitting next to me.
These are my friends. These are my Journey Girls. And these are the kinds of relationships I think every girl, woman–everyone–deserves.
What about you? Who is your personal cheering section?
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It’s great to see how supportive your friends are. You are blessed. As your husband, I hope I made the acknowledgment page too. 🙂
I totally agree with you! I wouldn’t be where I am without my Fig Tree gals. And you too, Jenny. You’ve been such a blessing to me and I can’t wait to watch the road before you unfold. God bless and I’m so glad you’re surrounded by such an awesome support system. MUAH!
AWWWW!!!! I love it! I feel so honored and grateful to be your friend and apart of your journey. We have sure grown a lot since we were 19 and talking about our love life (or mostly my crazy online flings). 🙂 I love you and and am so proud of you!
Great post, Jenny. Good friends, people that run alongside and cheer us on, make all the difference. I’m so happy for you!
Thanks everyone.
Ryan- You always make the cut.
Carrie- I think of those days often, good times!
I’ll say it again, online: the years go by; but, I only grow more proud to call you friend. 🙂 You’re such a blessing to me, Jen. I can’t imagine not having you there to share my journey.
Yep, that acknowledgement page was a tough one to write for me too. I go back and read it and still get choked up. Too many friends to name, but a select few who held my arms up when I couldn’t bear to write another minute, or read my manuscript for the umpteenth time and absolutely hated it. Yep, those were the gals who gave me water and yelled my name from the sidelines of my book journey. And, I’m honored to have been one of your great cloud of witnesses watching you grow from timid mom-writer to gifted YA author. God is taking you places Jennifer. Buckle up!
I have soul sisters too, and I couldn’t imagine trying to navigate this journey without them!
Elle-
I think every writer needs soul sisters! Well, maybe unless you’re a man, but somehow soul brothers just doesn’t have the same ring to it!
I like the title of your book! Awesome. And I couldn’t do it without my cps and blogger friends. And don’t worry, you’ll figure out what your blog should be about, just give it time! 🙂
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