Good Night Sweet Blog

 

Mary Connealy

Good night sweet blog. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Yes, Seekerville is closing up. I hate it and I'm ready. This blog has meant so much to me. This outlet as a professional writer. This attempt we've all made to help others and express ourselves. There were so many people who helped me learn how to write. And when a group of authors and friends formed an email loop and were just having a ridiculous amount of fun, we decided maybe we had something to share with other aspiring authors.

Seekerville was born. 

Giving it up feels wrong because it's been a home online for me for a long, long time. But it also feels right. The effort to find some new way to talk about the lessons of writing are hard. And I feel like I fail at it more often than I succeed. Or I repeat myself.

So I accept that we're putting our blog to bed for the last time today. Good night sweet blog.

And thank you to my Seeker sisters and to all the readers who've met with us along the way. Today we've got a few more good-bye posts from Seekers present and past. 

Ruth Logan Herne

Seekerville was never just a blog.

It was a give-back from fifteen authors who prayed one another into royalty-paying publication.

In a time when self-publishing was raising its head and viability, these authors created a sisterhood of faith, hope and love… and met their goal! All fifteen authors were published and in the middle of that, when only a handful had gotten “the call” we decided to start a blog to help other aspiring authors. We believed in giving, helping, leading and encouraging.

We were and are blessed!  It has given me countless friends and delightful readers and I will be forever grateful for both!

  

Erica Vetsch

What Seekerville has meant to me…

Where do I start? We’re supposed to submit a paragraph, and I feel I could write a Julie Lessman-long post and not quite scratch the surface. When Seekerville started, I was a fledgling writer, absorbing everything I could about writing, the writer’s life, and books. I read every day, I commented so much, the original Seekers must have thought I was stalking them, and I learned so, so much. I loved that the Seekers spoke of more than just their own books, but brought in guest posters, too. One of those guest posts changed the way I write. (The Plot Board) I loved the sense of sisterhood, of support, and cheerleading the Seeker-Community provided. When Mary Connealy asked if I would like to join as a Seeker a few years ago, I was all over that opportunity. Though I knew every Seeker and had met them in person, I didn’t realize how our relationships would grow. We’ve shared the ups, the downs, the way downs, the way ups, and the way sideways bits of life, not just those concerned with writing, but with life. They have become a sisterhood, and I don’t say that lightly. I will miss the posts and the community of Seekerville, because it was something quite special. I’m glad the archives will be available for me to refer to when I need to learn or relearn something about the writing life…or just reminisce about some really good times. 

Missy Tippens

The Seekerville blog has been a huge part of my life for almost two decades. I met many writer friends online through the blog and at conferences when we would gather and experience the joy of meeting in person. Thank you to all who helped form this wonderful, supportive community. Thank you for contributing to the knowledge we shared and fun we had here. You’ve all been a big blessing in my life! I’m so thankful God brought us together through the years.
—Much love,

Debby Giusti

So many memories…

 In 2005, I attended my first National Romance Writers of America Conference. My story won the Touched by Love Contest, and I met the Love Inspired editor who called one month later and asked to buy my book. The contest win that led to publication and the interaction with my eventual editor made my writing dreams come true, but equally important were the friends I made at that national gathering. We discussed starting a private support loop, which we did, and two years later, we gave birth to the Seekerville blog. Our goal was to help other writers on their journey to publication and beyond. Over the years, the friendships formed with both readers and writers have added joy to my life and have buoyed me as I navigated the ups and downs of the writing world. In addition, we’ve been a prayerful community, and I truly believe God has worked through this blog to uplift, to affirm and to help other writers who love the Lord.

As we know, all good things must end, even Seekerville, although it is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell. Your kindness and encouragement have touched me deeply, and I’m so grateful. The memories of the love and laughter we shared will never fade and will be special treasures that will warm my spirit in the years ahead.  Know that you are ever in my heart and in my prayers. 

 

I love you all!

Debby Giusti

Janet Dean

I’m beyond blessed to have been a Seeker, one of 13 writers who joined forces to support each other on our journey to publication. When we started the blog Seekerville our intent was to share writing and industry tips meant to help ourselves and others along the way and to promote books with giveaways and prizes. We had a blast doing it while meeting and connecting with wonderful writers and readers! But what we ended up sharing the most were our lives! Writing is a solitary business and having this vibrant community to visit each day forged special connections and friendships we’ll always cherish! I learned oodles about writing from our posts, enjoyed the interaction both online and at writing conferences. But by far the best part of Seekerville was seeing ours and countless others’ dreams realized and celebrated in Seekerville! Though I’m retired and no longer write, I’ll always be grateful to have been part of it! Thanks to all who came, all who stayed, all who gave so much of themselves!    

Mindy Obenhaus

Seekerville has been a fount of knowledge for aspiring and published authors from its beginning. It’s been a valuable resource for me throughout my career. I remember being tickled pink when Janet Dean approached me in 2013 about doing a guest post on the original Seekerville shortly after I received my first contract. It wasn’t until I sat down to write that post that I felt the pressure to come up with something of value that would benefit others still awaiting their first contract. So you can imagine how humbled I was when I was invited to join Seekerville 2.0 back in late 2017. I felt a huge responsibility to help other writers grow had been placed on my shoulders, and I never took that for granted.

Back in the heyday of blogging, Seekerville stood out as a safe place for up-and-coming authors to learn, share victories and disappointments, and to cheer each other on. It was more than just a blog, it was a community. Many authors attribute their success to Seekerville, and I’m one of them. Iron sharpens iron. That’s what Seekerville has always been about. And I’ve been honored to be a small part of it.

Julie Lessman

MY GOODBYE TO SEEKERVILLE:

How do you close the book on one of the greatest chapters of your life? It’s not easy. But what is easy is reflecting on all the blessings Seekerville has been to so many people over the years.

For me as an aspiring author, Seekerville was a lifeline in a sea of doubt, buoying me with hope, wisdom, and support every step of the way. But far more important than the encouragement and education that Seekerville provided, were the dearest of friends it brought at a time when I needed them most. Seekerville was more than a blog—it was a sisterhood that began with twelve women, each with a dream in her heart. And it was those very women who helped turn every one of our dreams into a reality with laughter, tears, and solid friendships that will go on forever.

For the reading and writing community who called Seekerville home, it was a light in the darkness and a lamp unto many of our paths, inspiring, encouraging, teaching, informing, and supporting both readers and writers alike with the Word of God and wisdom gleaned over the years, both literary and spiritual.

So, I say goodbye to Seekerville, both with a heavy heart and a grateful one, that God allowed me to be a part of it and the lives of the many people it has so richly blessed.

Hugs and more hugs,

Julie 

 Jan Drexler

In the fall of 2010, our family was in the middle of making one of our many interstate moves. While I was in Kansas waiting for our house to sell and home schooling our two youngest children, I felt the nudge to start the writing career that had been pushed aside for years. As I searched the internet to find out information on how to start this plunge into unknown waters, I stumbled upon a blog. Fifteen authors – some published, some pre-published – were giving advice for people exactly like me! And not only advice, but encouragement, well-timed lessons, and a camaraderie that made that little corner of the internet feel like home.

The invitation to join the Seekers in 2017 was a dream come true! It was a bittersweet time, though, as we said goodbye to so many original Seekers who were retiring. I feel that same bittersweet feeling now, as times have changed, and blogs are no longer the best way to reach aspiring authors. But you all know where to find us, right? We’ll still be on social media – be sure to look for us there!

Love to all, Jan Drexler

Audra Harders

Hmm, summing up what Seekerville is to me in one paragraph? Impossible! There are innumerable memories rolled up in all the terrific events, posts, discussions that have transpired over virtual brunches of cinnamon rolls, red velvet cake and omelet bars, LOL. But, if I had to choose one aspect of Seekerville I loved the most, it would be all the Seeker Villagers who have touched my life over the years. As most know, Seekerville was born as a group of unpublished authors banded together through their love of contests and sought to pray each other into publication. Along the way, we launched a blog to help other unpubbed authors learn about their craft and offer encouragement along the way. As the Lord says (my paraphrase), Give with a cheerful heart and He will bless abundantly (2 Cor 9:6-8). If there was one thing you can say about Seekerville, we are a cheerful bunch and approach each of our posts with joy, compassion, laughter and of course, virtual food to feed the masses!!

For me personally, that joy and love was returned to me beyond measure. Our Villagers are the heart of Seekerville and YOU made our little safe haven of learning and love a place to cherish through all the ups and downs of this crazy writing life. Thank you for your faithfulness and encouragement as we shaked and shimmied our way through 16 years of love.

Bless you all, Audra 

Glynna Kaye

 

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  (Matthew 6:33) 

 

That’s where it all started in 2005 when, through “meeting” each other in writing contest winners’ circles, God drew the original Seekers together. We shared industry news, teamed up to serve as beta readers, encouraged each other, challenged each other, prayed for each other--and became friends. Some soon escaped from “Unpubbed Island,” others of us gradually set sail one by one.

 

In the autumn of 2007--almost 16 years ago--we launched Seekerville The Blog, wanting to share with other writers what we were learning on our journey. We hoped that through sharing posts on our personal experiences, the craft of writing, the publishing industry, words of encouragement--and prayer for all--that other aspiring writers might attain their own publishing dreams. What came about during Seekerville’s “heyday” was a living, breathing, close-knit community of Seekers and the scores of fabulous and faithful “Seeker Villagers” who called the blog home! (A good number of whom are now published!)

 

I’m so grateful for my Seeker Sisters and all the many Villagers who joined us on the journey. THANK YOU! And thank you to our Heavenly Father who brought us together for a purpose and an amazing time in our lives!

Myra Johnson

I’ll always be grateful for the invitation back in 2005 that brought me together with 14 other determined writers in support, encouragement, and prayer for our journey toward publication. As one by one we began sailing off Unpubbed Island (some sooner than others!), creating the Seekerville blog in 2007 seemed like the perfect venue for giving back to the larger community of writers and to share what we were learning along the way. I am honored to have served as one of the original Seekerville bloggers during its first 10 years, and I’m thankful for the new Seekers who came on board after several of us “retired” to pursue other avenues in our writing careers. I will never forget Seekerville for all the writing tips, learning opportunities, laughter, and regular “kicks in the pants” that comprised our daily fare. Most especially, I cherish the friendships. You will all ALWAYS be in my heart! —Myra Johnson 

Dana R. Lynn

So many thoughts are going through my head. Seekerville has been a part of my life ever since I began my writing journey in 2013. I remember the excitement of joining others for Speedbo, the Seeker version of NanoWriMo. I would read the posts to glean what wisdom I could as I pursued my dream. And continued afterwards when I received that first contract. But Seekerville was more than a resource. Through online interactions and in person meetings at conferences, I developed real friendships. It was an honor to join the Seekers for the past year. And while this is bittersweet, I know that the relationships I formed will last beyond the blog.

Blessings!