Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, which brings to mind the times I’ve been the recipient of kindness from strangers. Here’s one instance.

I was on the old RWA forums, talking about something–I don’t recall what–when another person private messaged me, asking if I had entered a particular title in a particular writing contest. When I admitted I had, she messaged her phone number and asked me to call. Having nothing to lose, I did.

The woman had judged my entry in the aforementioned contest and had tried to obtain my contact info from the contest coordinators, but was unable to do so. She had told her agent about “an amazing entry” and wanted me to submit to her agent. She set up everything for me. Ultimately, my work wasn’t right for that agent. No hard feelings. I remembered to send thank you notes to everyone involved.

Have you ever had something wonderful happen to you out of blue?

I first encountered artist Sara Eyestone in a little bookstore in Riverdale, NY. Looking through a nice selection of greeting cards, I came across a reproduction of peonies. Lush, vivid, and so real, I could almost feel the cool satin of the petals. I purchased the card and held onto it for many years before sending it to someone who needed it more than I did. I was smart enough to check the back of the card for the artist’s name.

When it came time to redecorate my office at my previous Day Job, and the Janet Fish poster wasn’t available, I turned to Sara Eyestone. At one point, I had photos of the three posters I chose hanging in my office, but I’m not sure what happened to them. And someone told me I should take the posters when I cleaned out my office. I wish now I had. Tea for Two, Forever and Ever, and Curiosity looked wonderful against the deep peony pink of the walls. (I can’t post pictures from Ms. Eyestone’s website here because I don’t own the copyright.)

Again, the color is what drew me.

I am frequently asked what advice I would give a writer who is just starting out. My answer never varies.

1. Write. Just keep writing.
2. Find an author community and get involved.

The best thing I ever did was join my local chapter of Romance Writers of America. I found my best friends there. I found a community of people who “get it.” Being an author is a solitary job. There’s you and the people in your head making their way to the page. That’s it. And every person in that meeting room with you is in the same situation. They will understand you.

Who else isn’t going to stare at you as if you’ve sprouted a second head when you ask aloud, “How can Araminta kill Rodolfo?”

Not only will other writers not give you weird looks, they’ll answer.

“A couple of cigarette butts soaked in water overnight will create a deadly toxic liquid that will seep through the pores of his skin to do the job.”

“No, ingesting lilies of the valley is so much more feminine than using cigarettes.”

“So using cigarettes would be great red herring.”

Oh, and there is all the industry news, learning craft, career track info and such that comes with being with other writers, too. They will emotionally support you through the ups and downs of this crazy business.  Buy you chocolate when you get a rejection. Raise a glass to you when you get a rave review. Because they understand in a way people who aren’t writers will never understand.