Thursday, January 10, 2013

With a Little Help from My Friend


Tuesday marked Lark Howard's last blog post for Reading, Writing, and Rambling. I'm grieving, but she has a demanding (and important!) day job and a manuscript to deliver to her agent. Something had to give, and she'd already banished her television set to gain fiction-writing time. 

I'm grateful to Lark, who has inspired me in half-a-dozen ways. Let me explain.
  • Remember the cool girl in high school? You know, the one who talked to everybody but had an edge and was interested in, say, alternative music while everyone else was bopping to a boy band? That's how I see Lark. I count myself lucky she invited me to sit at her table in the cafeteria.  (That's not to say I've become cool by osmosis. I'm still uncool, but my horizon's wider.)
  • Many jobs ago, my horror of team projects was triggered by a couple of individuals who flat-out refused to pull their weight. Slackers lurk everywhere, and more than one group blog has failed because members claimed they couldn't think of anything to say, didn't support one another, or muffled one another with topics to avoid and stances to uphold. Lark has had my back from day one. She's easy to work with and reliable. (Yes, publishers, consider this a letter of recommendation. Snap her up.)
  • Even when writing's a slog and the frustrations mount, Lark doesn't whine.
  • All work and no play leave writers without a thing to say. Even though she has a lot on her plate, Lark feeds the muse with movies, books, day trips, longer journeys, and the occasional adventure. I think I'm daring when I buy a Groupon for a tapas restaurant. She buys one for a flight lesson over Houston. 
  • Lark's love of all things French reawakened my inner Francophile—the one that had been slumbering since I had children and put away chunks of myself as too many moms do.
  • Writing is, by its nature, solitary. While writers share work and gab face to face or via email with critique partners and beta readers, lonely stretches are part of the gig. Through this blog, I've gotten to know Lark and count her as a friend. Best gift ever!
I'm going to keep reading, writing, and rambling. Thanks to everyone who's stopped by and commented over the past year and a half. I hope you'll continue to visit as I struggle to discover enlightenment, publication, the perfect vacation spot, good health, cheap and delicious red wine, and an exercise plan that whittles away inches but doesn't require me to break a sweat. 

Godspeed, Lark! 





33 comments:

Marcy Kennedy said...

I think you're going to do a great job even on your own. Sometimes these changes in life, the ones that make us sad, can actually lead to bigger and better things.

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work Pat!! I so enjoy you and will miss Lark. Hang in there! jink

Karen McFarland said...

Parting is such sweet sorrow Pat. I'm a sorry to hear that Lark is leaving, yet I understand how other priorities demand our time. So onward and upward my dear friend! Are you feeling a little pressure Pat? It's only you and "Reading, Writing & Rambling" against the world now girlfriend. No worries. We've got your back. Just holler if you need any back-up Pat. We'll come running! I always enjoy your posts. And maybe you can reawakened your inner Francophile a little bit more. I love all things French. This is going to be a great 2013 Pat! {{Hugs!}} :)

Ginger Calem said...

What a lovely tribute. I have always loved coming to this blog and I will continue to love it and miss Lark's contributions.

Truly love what you'll be searching for, well except that not breaking a sweat part. What the heck! That's the best part of working out! ;)

Coleen Patrick said...

You will be great Pat. Looking forward to your posts and I ditto Karen's "just holler" if you need us.
One more thing, never underestimate the power of tapas and a Groupon! :)

Jennette Marie Powell said...

Good luck to Lark! I have no doubt she'll find publishing success, as will you, Pat - and success with the blog!

One suggestion: please consider turning off word verification? I've had trouble with them lately, and I bet I'm not the only one.

Brandie N said...

That was incredibly sweet! Best wishes to you Lark and good luck Pat, I know you'll do great!

Lark Howard said...

It's hard to write when one is verklempt, Pat. I'm flattered and touched by your post and wish I deserved all the nice things you said. You've raised the bar and I'll try to live up to it.

I'm grateful we had that glass of wine in NY because your contributions to this blog and your friendship have meant a lot to me. But we'll still be friends so this isn't really an ending.

And just to set the record straight before one of my classmates feels compelled to--I was NOT the cool girl in high school or even close! As always, you give me entirely too much credit and I love you for it along with all your other wonderful, generous qualities.

Lark

P.S. I may be able to help with the cheap red wine quest. Steve and I have done extensive research. :-)

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Thanks, Brandie! I'm counting on Lark to visit regularly, and we'll always have West Houston RWA,

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Marcy, I still mourn the end of Girls with Pens, but I enjoy the blogs that were born out of it: Lisa's Blogging through the Fire and your Marcy Kennedy, Freelance Writer and Editor. I keep telling myself change is good.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

I'm going to miss Lark, too, Jink. Maybe we can all meet up in Beulah Springs?

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Thanks for the perspective, Karen. Me and Reading, Writing, and Rambling against the world, huh? Hold on a second while I do some hee hee breathing, Whew, I'm better now.

I'm going to watch and learn from you. Meanwhile, I'll practice hollering to be sure you can hear me out in California.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Ginger! I figure the chances of me stumbling onto an exercise program that doesn't make me break a sweat are equivalent to me achieving enlightenment.

I wish I weren't the drippingest, most red-faced person at the end of a Zumba session, though.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

LOL, Coleen! Don't worry, I don't underestimate the power of a Groupon and tapas. Don't tell Ginger, but almost all the Groupons I buy are food-related.

Thanks for your support.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Shoot, Jennette, I thought I turned off word certification. (You didn't hear that from me, Viagra peddlers.) I will figure out how to shut it off.

Thanks for the encouraging words

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Make that word verification, Jennette. Excuse me while I holler for Karen.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Oh, Lark! I know this isn't an ending, and I'm glad we'll continue to be friends.

I'm pulling for you, and the open road pictured on the blog post is your highway to publication.

Lark Howard said...

BTW, Pat, I disabled the word verification so it shouldn't pop up anymore.

Sheila Seabrook said...

Pat, what an awesome tribute to such a great friend. I wish Lark much success and look forward to hearing great news on her first sale. And I wish you, Pat, an enjoyable solo journey on your blog. I love listening to you chat. :)

sarah andre said...

I agree with every point, Pat! I also count myself lucky to be Lark's friend...even though she's dragged me kicking and screaming into the world of designer purses. Don't get me started on her 6 inch heels and boots.

You'll do fine fying solo, girl! We'll all be here waving.

Linda Barrett said...

The Rambling blog is in excellent hands. No doubt about it. The time has come for new beginnings for both you and Lark, and that's what makes life exciting.

So, here's my French for you both: Bon chance!

Cheryl Bolen said...

Good call, Lark. Your efforts need to be spent on the books -- since ya gotta hang on to that demanding day job.

The blog is, fortunately, in extremely capable hands (and heart and mind). What a friend you have in Pat!

Judythe Morgan said...

Farewell, Lark. Together you and Pat made a terrific team and had a fun blog. I think Pat's described you well.I hope we get to celebrte a book contract soon.

Pat, I'm sure you will carry the torch admirably. That's the kind of person you are strong and a clever writer.

All the best to both of you as you carry on.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Sheila!
I think Lark will return for the occasional guest post, don't you?

You're going to have to listen to me chat to myself, Sheila. I wish I could tell you that's not an everyday occurrence.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Lark claims she wasn't cool in high school. Ha! The cool girls never think they're cool, which only increases their cool factor.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Sarah! Thank you for agreeing with every point. I wish more people agreed with everything I say. Seriously, we're lucky to have Lark for a friend. Did I tell you she got me and Ted hooked on Homeland?

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Linda,
I'm excited for Lark. My beginning may be a bit bumpy, but I'll get off the ground. Thanks for the good luck wishes.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Judythe! I like the image of Lark passing the torch. I wish I weren't so darn clumsy, though. If I drop the torch and it goes out, I can relight it, right?

How are you doing, girlfriend?

Patricia Rickrode w/a Jansen Schmidt said...

What a touching tribute to a lovely lady, Pat. I'm glad that you're forging on alone. It's been nice reading and commenting on your blogs.

I wish Lark all the best and look forward to a wonderful year of interesting blogs.

Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt

Louise Behiel said...

Pat, I can't wait to follow your uncool adventures I so identify with that identifier. Good luck Lark. have fun, work hard and don't forget to feed the muse. Pat, it will be such fun to watch your journey from this moment. I can't wait

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Patricia/Jansen,
I should follow your lead and embark on more travel adventures. Speaking of adventures, how long must I wait for your definitive post on Disneyworld versus Disneyland?

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

I'm smiling at your comment, Louise. Uncool adventures, here I come!

Karen McFarland said...

Okay Pat, quit your hollering. I can hear ya all the way from California girl! He, he, he. Boy, oh, boy can you ever make a lot of noise. I've gotta go run an read your current post. Keep 'em coming Pat. And stop hollering at me. I'm standing right here for cryin' out loud! :)