I have recently moved into a new home and a new city. With this change I’m also trying a career shift from engineering to writing.
It’s been a big change to stay home all day and take care of the house. I don’t work outside the home, but that doesn’t mean I don’t work. I’d love to spend eight hours a day writing, but I am often distracted by household chores. When you don’t leave the home, it’s not easy to log the kind of time you’d like doing one specific task.
The other thing about the new city is I can find writer’s groups! It is no longer an hour drive to the nearest town large enough to host some writers with similar interests, and I am finding it a joy to be around so many like-minded people. The drawback is I can’t join them all, no matter how much I like the people.
Recently I visited the Iowa Romance Novelists. Through them, I have a lead on a critique group and I also met one of the ladies from Penwomen. This week I researched a Children’s Writing Group (SCBWI) and I’ve been in contact with a couple of their members, too. They all have so many different benefits and activities through the year. I find it difficult not to overextend myself and try to do them all. (Always a bad idea!)
P.S. Holly gave some great advice about picture books in her last comment. It’s a shift in perception of the book I think it will take me some time to accomplish. Thank you!
Ransom Noble 
have fun with the groups. I have wanted to start one out here but I have no time and I don’t actually know any other writers in the area. When I tell the locals what I do they look at me like I have three heads. Then they ask if you can make a lot of money doing that. LOL.
I’ve thought about trying to find a goup. This city’s big enough there should be some…but at the moment I lack the discipline necessary for that. I need to kick my butt in gear and write more, then maybe it’d be worth my time to find a group. Until then…I have my WDC family! š
SCBWI is an AWESOME organization to join, especially if you’re serious about children’s books. I have learned so much from the online discussion boards alone. I really think workshopping with a regular group of people is pretty much essential. I need to get my butt moving and find a good group for me too.