I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to join a local writer's group if you have one. No matter what stage you are at, even if you're just toying with the idea, you should visit the group to better consider your options.

I often 'complain' about not having a local RWA chapter. For me, an hour and a half is not local, especially when you have no heat or air in your vehicle. Now, I'm not loud about it, not at all. And obviously I'm not too upset or I'd do something to change it. That very well could be due to the fact there is a wonderful writer's group right here in Topeka.

Some of us are published (no not me). Some of us have written thousands upon thousands of words, and query after query. Others of us have not written a word (again, not me). Each one of us are at different stages in our writing career. Some of us are active, others are stagnant, or in a holding pattern, others are on the run way plowing through the check list waiting for take off.

One gentleman, a mystery writer, has had several books published. Another, just signed a contract for a screenplay. One of our gals ghost writes, another has found success among the e-pubbed world. We have technical writers, journalists, children's book authors. There's a gal, I believe she's a lifelong missionary, who just returned from China; all her writing revolves around China.

There's something to be learned from each of these wonderful people. They share their experience of the publishing industry, as well as their victories and disappointments.

Why do I tell you all this? It really doesn't sound much like a confession, does it?

Well right now, I should actually be taking an exam or two. I also I have some Algebra work to do. I should be doing everything and anything but writing a confession. I mean really, my sink is full of dishes. Laundry is piled. And, don't tell my critique partners, but I haven't written more than 500 words this past week. All right, so I have but that was for a graded essay. It doesn't count.

Instead of going to the shop and working, or attending to my Algebra *shivers*, I went to my local writer's meeting. The program was awesome and entertaining. The Library Manager came in and shared with us resources to help with our research. I'm not a complete ditz, I totally know the library can be used for research. However, I did not know they had some of the resources she shared with us yesterday.

I can't remember the name of the book for the life of me, but I know where it's at. I know the pages were so brittle I had to wear white gloves in order to touch it. I also know there were hundreds of pages with detailed and simple artwork depicting armor and the weapons used.

She also brought out antique books on furniture and get this, wallpaper. Yes there was an entire book on wallpaper most of it used during the Regency and Victorian eras. It was absolutely fascinating.

Not only did she share some of the Moses Collection with us, but she also told us stories upon stories. This lady was a fount of historical information and not the kind you read in boring history books. This lady had the digs on history. She left me with several ideas to incorporate into my Kansas placed historicals. She also put a fire under my feet. I'm excited to get back to writing.

So if you're lagging in your writing, or even if you want to write and you're just not sure where to start-check your local library, somebody there is sure to point you in the right direction.