It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
May 6 question - What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?
I have one special young woman in mind. She came to an appearance in South Carolina and got Book I of my series. She came back and got Book II. Then, when I was in Ohio for some appearances, she came to get the third book (she lived there) and told me my books had so inspired her she had made some big changes to her life and was happier than she’d ever been.
The real icing on the cake – I posted a picture of her with one of my books on my website, and a man contacted me saying he’d known her in college and could he get in contact with her. She said yes to sharing her email with him. The following year she let me know – they’d rekindled a lost love and were getting married! Such an incredible journey for her and an inspiring story!
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With airline tickets through the roof, we did not make it to The House on the Rock for our anniversary. We did visit Chimney Rock (which suffered severe damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024) and The Biltmore, America's largest private residence at 178,000 square feet. We’d never been to either and knew that area needed our dollars.
The Biltmore and gardens are a bit overrated (especially since I have seen the mind-blowing Windsor Castle in England and Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island) but it was cool to see.
Chimney Rock was excellent and we parked in the lower parking lot and hiked the trail and then stairs-stairs-stairs all the way to the top. Glad I’d trained for that 5k!
Enjoy some photos, including one of the devastation in Chimney Rock – but they are recovering and rebuilding!
The view from our stay – The Lodge on Lake Lure:
Chimney Rock:
Wine tasting at Parker-Bimms Vineyard:
The Biltmore:
What’s the most inspiring feedback you’ve ever received? Ever been to Chimney Rock or The Biltmore?
No to seeing the Baltimore, but yes to Windsor Castle, which of course, was stunning. I love that story of how you inadvertently connected two loves. That IS inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThat is a really cool story.
ReplyDeleteSome impressive views from the top!
I love your story about the reader who loved your books. And your pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a story!! Love it! Love the photos too!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing story! It makes me wonder if sometimes our writing does make an impact, but we just don't know it. And yet, this lovely reader shared her story, which was so beautiful. I have never been to Biltmore, but I'd love to. I have been to Buchhardt Gardens and Windsor, though.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteAlso, look at you go, you match maker! Haha. I love it. Maybe you should write their story, eh? ;)
She sounds like your perfect reader. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteI've never met mine, but she's right there whenever I start writing. :-)
Thank you, Liza.
ReplyDeleteJenni, if you do visit Biltmore, keep expectations low since you've seen Butchart and Windsor.
Crystal, I'd have to track her down again and it's been years.
Meeting the people who read our books is always the best. And a very happy anniversary to you!
ReplyDeleteYour inspiring feedback was amazing, Diane! Love that icing on the cake! I really enjoyed seeing all your anniversary photos. It looks like you had a wonderful time, and it was thoughtful of you and your husband to support an area that had been damaged by Helene. It's hard to beat the Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island (IMHO). Wishing you many more wonderful anniversaries!
ReplyDeleteThat must feel very delightful to know that your books inspired someone enough to married a past flame! That really shows that your books series is successful!
ReplyDeleteI've been to more than one Chimney Rock, but not that one! That's a beautiful story about your reader!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an inspiring fan story!
ReplyDeleteThat's it. You win. LOL And you need to make that the plot for your next book. ;)