Someone left a comment on my blog the other day, then apologized for intruding where he didn’t belong. This worried me. I wondered what I had done to make anyone feel unwelcome. Then it occurred to me that I have made so many friends here that perhaps it seems like a private blog. When you talk about the important things in life (writing, grief, life itself) you connect quickly, even though the commenters might live in such mythical places as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Georgia (USA).
Joylene Nowell Butler was one such commenter who has now become a friend. We have never met, might never meet (though I would like to), but the connection is very real. She eased a terrible time in my life with her wisdom and sympathy, with her steadfast presence. I’m ashamed to admit, I am remiss about returning the favor and visiting her blog, A Moment At A Time On Cluculz Lake, though I intend to get over there more frequently. She has insightful posts, wonderful guests, and gorgeous photos of Cluculz Lake in Canada.
Joylene is the author of suspense thrillers Dead Witness and Broken But Not Dead. In honor of our friendship and the publication of her second book, I am gifting her with a mini blog tour.
I am interviewing her today on another of my blogs. Click here to find the interview: Pat Bertram Introduces . . . Joylene Nowell Butler, Author of “Broken but not Dead.” I always enjoy hearing (seeing) how other authors view writing and the writing life. Don’t you?
Click here to read an excerpt from: “Broken but not Dead” by Joylene Nowell Butler
More than three years ago, I posted an invitation to interview characters, and she was one of the few who took me up on my offer. It impressed the heck out of me! (That was how and where we met.) Here is that interview: Pat Bertram Introduces . . . Valerie McCormick, Hero of “Dead Witness” by Joylene Nowell Butler
Click here to read an excerpt from: “Dead Witness” by Joylene Nowell Butler
Thank you for everything, Joylene. I hope you have a fantastic New Year, filled with hope and peace and many wonders.
December 7, 2011 at 7:17 am
Pat, this is so generous and unneeded, but appreciated. LOL. I’m so grateful for your friendship and, okay, the attention makes me nervous. But you are a blessing. Thank you for this kindness.
December 7, 2011 at 9:39 am
Why should you be nervous? You’re among friends.
December 7, 2011 at 10:02 am
Oh, didn’t I tell you? My big fear is everyone will one day discover I’m a fraud. I know, strange idea. But it’s been with me a long time. Nervous is sometimes okay; keeps me on my toes.
December 7, 2011 at 10:40 am
Joylene, I guarantee you are not a fraud. But if by some remote possibility you are a fraud, you are so good at it that no one will ever discover you are one.
December 7, 2011 at 9:35 am
Joylene deserves the wonderful friends she makes because she’s such a great friend herself. And her books are pretty great, too. Now I’m off to check out the interview. You never know what I might learn about her. 😉
December 7, 2011 at 9:58 am
I wholeheartedly agree!!
December 7, 2011 at 10:01 am
Carol, you are a darling. Thanks for all your support. It means a great deal. Blessings and Merry Christmas.
December 7, 2011 at 10:50 am
LOL. Good point, Pat.
December 7, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Joylene’s always going to have a special place in my heart. I met her quite some time ago in a writer’s forum, and she turned into the most wonderful friend and mentor a beginning writer could have ever hoped for.
I learned so much from her, and seeing her success makes me giddy with pride.
Hugs, Joylene! Keep up the good work! You’re a treasure!
December 7, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Thank you so much, Carol. Honestly, it’s been wonderful being your friend. You make the world a better place.
December 8, 2011 at 7:45 am
Joylene is indeed a treasure. I’m blessed to count her as a friend too. Hopping over to the link now. Thanks!
December 8, 2011 at 9:05 am
Karen, I feel the same way. It’s a lonely solitary life here on Cluculz Lake, but talking to you and all my blogger friends has made my world seem much larger. Thank you for your continuing support. Means a lot. And yes, yay hockey!
December 8, 2011 at 9:21 am
Joylene is a wonderful person. I enjoy following her blog and I enjoy her stopping by mine to visit.