A Tribute To The Quality Of Writing Communities
Amazing things happen when we're open to sharing our wins.
Writing communities offer a unique kinship and camaraderie that are second to none. I can’t even begin to recount the support I’ve felt throughout the years as a writer.
Whether we write for standalone blogs or within communities such as this one, we all need to take a moment to pat each other on the back.
Our paths may be very different but our stories are all the same. We love what we do and we support each other without fail.
There’s no shortage of incredible full-circle events that have beautifully woven their way into my life, both on a human level and a writing level. The following story is no exception.
Many of you reading this are writers yourselves, so I have no doubt you’ll grasp what I’m saying about the fellowship within writing communities.
It all began with an award ceremony in a land far, far away…..
A million years ago (okay, it was 2011) I was nominated by peers for my first-ever blogging award. The nomination alone esteemed me beyond words because at the time I’d only been in the game for two years.
The award was for “Best Overseas Jamaica Blog,” and the annual Jamaica Blog Award Association was looking to bestow a foreigner who provided the best, most in-depth content about their country.
I felt honored to have been recognized by a country that wasn’t even my own.
Regrettably, I was in Canada when the gala ceremony was taking place and I couldn't make my way to Kingston, Jamaica for the event.
Enter: A fellow blogger.
I knew Kirk Brown through a widespread travel blogging network and his story is eerily similar to mine. We were both on the same life journey, just involving different countries.
I was a displaced Canadian in love with his homeland of Jamaica. He was a displaced Jamaican, in love with the idea of Japan.
His blog was born in 2006, mine in 2009, and both of us were followers of each other’s journeys.
His blog is called Jamaipanese, a brilliantly blended name. It reminded me of when locals would call me “JamCan.”
I could go on for days about how proud I was that Kirk had eventually realized his dream of leaving his little island home to visit Japan. If you know anything about developing countries you know that it can be incredibly difficult for them to bootstrap their way off of their islands without a job offer or a foreign fiance.
Eventually, he moved to Japan just as I ended up moving to Jamaica.
The same year I was nominated for the award, Kirk was also nominated in a different category. He lived in Kingston at the time and would be attending the ceremony so he promised that he would fill me in on the night’s events as they unfolded.
I never heard a word from Kirk that evening….until….he sent me a photo of his hand holding MY trophy!
I won! And I felt insanely jealous that I wasn’t there to revel in the moment!
Although Kirk and I had never even met in real life, he still took it upon himself to accept the award on my behalf. He then held onto it for safekeeping until such time that we would possibly meet in the future.
A full year later, the stars aligned properly and I knew it was time for the two of us to meet in person. We had tried many times to meet sooner but due to our travel schedules it just never happened.
Finally, I was able to make my way to Kingston, find his office building downtown, and have a quick meet-and-greet with the official Jamaipanese while collecting my trophy.
The exchange took place in a parking lot in the bustling city center. It was an honor not only to have my long-awaited award in my hands but even more, to meet him in person.
What a serendipitous moment indeed — and we didn’t even take a photo of it.
What kind of professional bloggers let a moment like this pass by without photo proof? Idiot ones, I guess. 😂
#FAIL
I have no idea what would have happened to my award if Kirk hadn’t accepted and held onto it. Even though it’s just a trophy it symbolizes so much more than that for me. It was a full-circle story coming to completion, and it represents what ultimately became a huge chunk of my travel writing journey.
In 2019, I retired my blog after ten years. From what I can see, Kirk’s Jamaipanese blog is still running strong after all this time. He’s a true pioneer and inspiration.
I bet he thinks I’ve forgotten all about him. Sorry Kirk, not even close!
Alright, y’all know what time it is. Crowd participation is the bread of life around here so TELL US….
Has there ever been a time when a fellow writer went above and beyond to support or lift you up throughout your journey? Please share!!
THROWBACK! If you’re a new subscriber you may have missed this gem of a post from our archives:
My favourite part of this great essay is when you say that meeting Kirk was even more of an honour than receiving this award. This speaks volumes for your character and is likely why you won in the first place!
Wonderful story. Belated congrats on the award! My best experience was when Randi Mayer Singer was my screenwriting mentor. She co wrote Mrs Doubtfire. My script placed second in a prestigious contest after working with her.