While I love storytelling and creating characters that touch people's hearts, there is something extra special about being in a room with real people and talking about books, writing, women, wisdom and life.
Today I was invited to speak to the Clarence Contemporary Club, a not for profit philanthropic women's club founded 53 years ago by members of The Clarence Welcome Wagon.
Currently numbering 60 members, these women have fundraised close to $400,000 dollars in support of area charitable and educational activities. Definitely an impressive group.
My assigned speaking topic for this group was based on my first book, Chicken Wing Wisdom. The women wanted to know to acquire it, how to live it and how to share it.
For an hour, I told stories of the 14 women in my book who took their innate senses of wisdom, combined them with food and changed their lives, our community and sometimes even the world.
I then suggested every individual at that luncheon was a CWW Woman, as they have given and continue to give of themselves and their time in volunteering to make a difference throughout Western New York.
Afterwards, the women and I visited as I signed their books and listened to stories they shared about themselves and their lives. Their conversations were so engaging that I was literally unaware that they were purchasing everyone of the thirty copies of my four books I'd brought with me.
Unfazed by my empty table, these supportive women then began placing orders for an additional seven books, with the agreement that I would deliver them by week's end. One kind lady even ordered an advance copy of my newest book, Money or Love, which I promised to hand-deliver when it publishes in May.
While to some authors, 37 books may be a relatively small sale, the support of these women today made me feel like a NY Times Best Selling Author.
Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "“Writing, at its best, is a lonely life." From my experience, there are days, weeks and even months when that statement is true. Yet today. my life as an author was as interactive and validating as any writing dream I ever imagined.
Thank you ladies of The Clarence Contemporary Club for reminding me that I am a writer of talent and a speaker of value. Sorry I didn't get a chance to take pictures with every table. Next time, I promise!
#chickenwingwisdom #crownhill #heartandsoul #beautyandgrace #moneyandlove