Guess what? I’m going to be on the CBS Sunday Morning Show with Jane Pauley! Well, my hand holding a flute of champagne will definitely be featured. Okay, it’s likely that I’ll claim that it was. Truth: I tried to hide behind the other women because I hadn’t changed clothes and everyone else was kinda dressed up for the occasion.
What occasion? So…I recently returned from a four-day stint in Albuquerque, where the Women’s Fiction Writers Association met for an annual retreat. Now, before you check out saying things like “I’m not a writer…what do I care about a writer’s conference,” just go ahead and read this anyway.
I promise you’ll be awed and amazed.
Fantabulous is the Only Word
Yes, the speaker was fantabulous and the people were fabtastic–I made so many new friends. Writer friends, who are just the best because they’ll talk about writing with you for hours on end, something most of my other friends and family just can’t (won’t) do. Through no fault of their own. Non-writer friends are interesting and useful in other ways…like pilfering some of their traits for characters in my books!
I wrote. I ate. I talked. I listened. I slept. And I started all over again the next day. I came away with ideas, inspiration, and motivation out the wazoo. I’m not really sure what a wazoo is, but my ideas-inspiration-motivation overflow definitely came out there.
I say all that to say…
So, what, you ask, does any of that have to do with Jane Pauley and the Morning Show? I’m getting there…
WFWA is a multi-faceted organization that does SO MUCH for writers of Women’s Fiction. (I’ll spare you the definition of what WF is and the controversy surrounding it as a label.) The point is, I’ve workshopped my writing, participated in on-line webinars and Zoom meetings, and have always received more than I gave from this all-volunteer organization.
Every day there’s a “Write-In” that anyone can participate in. You tune into a Zoom meeting with other writers and spend an hour writing together. The idea is if you’re accountable to someone, you’re more likely to sit in your chair and do the work.
Some members have been Zooming with the same group–give or take a few–for years. The group regulars come to know each other’s stories, both fictional and personal.
Here’s the part that’s going to wow you…
Cheers!
When one of the members shared that she needed a kidney transplant to live, another member stepped up and said she’d donate hers. Now, remember, the two women are only connected through the on-line writing group.
And they met in person for the first time at this retreat!
I told you these are generous people. I’m not sure you can get much more generous than donating a body part.
The photo above is a group of us toasting the donor and recipient. The camera trained on them is part of the CBS crew. We don’t know when the segment will air, but I’ll let you know if I hear anything.
I just can’t tell you how moving it was to see these two women together. What a story! What a kindness! What a gift!
Here’s the question I leave you with…Could you do that?
julie mayerson brown
11/4/22
Tracey, I just discovered your blog through the article by way of today’s FB post! I’m signing up!
xoxo
julie
Tracey Buchanan
Yay! Thanks!
Susan Reinhardt
This is such a cool story! Love all your blog posts💕
Tracey Buchanan
Thanks, Susan! You have to go with me next time!
Dee Pierce Pierce
I love seeing and hearing (or reading) this side of you! You radiate the passion and curiosity I’ve associated with you since high school when we often crossed paths at high school newspaper “paste up” days in Paducah, Ky. Sounds like God’s love is shining through the writing group.
Tracey Buchanan
Thanks, Dee! Good to hear from you and be reminded of some special days! Hope all’s we’ll with you and yours!
Tracey Buchanan
I know you would, Donna! That’s just who you are
Donna Libby
Thank you for always sharing I love to read your writes
and Yes if there was a need that I could help with, Well here I am! <3
Betty Housman
Tracey, your excitement is palpable through your text. So happy you got to enjoy all of these wonderful events and women. This sounds like an elite group!! Thanks for sharing!!
Leslie Watkins
How amazing! What an incredible group of people. I’ll be watching Jane Pauley on Sunday morning for the episode! How wonderful to be a part of it all.
Tracey D. Buchanan
It was such an encouraging week with wonderful people!
PAM J WURTH
Thats awesome Tracey. What an honor to meet Jane Pauley. Even more what a neat story.
Julie Kleet
There’s nothing like women with a common bond sharing with each other. You’ll treasure this experience forever.
Tracey Buchanan
So true!
Tracey Buchanan
I didn’t actually get to meet her, but this may be as close as I ever come to her! 🙂
Andrea
What a beautiful story and such love!
Tracey Buchanan
Really remarkable!
Brenda Thompson
What an awesome experience shared with others with the gift of writing! How little we know about the things that others encounter in life, whether it’s trips to New Mexico or kidney transplants. Thanks for sharing, and I’ll look forward to your tv debut with Jane Pauley😊
Tracey Buchanan
It was a fantastic experience! Thanks for reading!