The Seekerville Effect by Seeker Fan Keli Gwyn

What? You haven’t heard about the Seekerville Effect?

That may be, but I have a hunch you’ve experienced it.

And just what is the Seekerville Effect?

I worked hard to come up with a definition that adequately explains this amazing effect, but it wasn’t easy. Following is my feeble attempt to encapsulate this fantastic phenomenon. I’m sure many of you fans of Seekerville could help me edit, enhance, and expand the definition so it more fully reflects the wonderful effects a visitor experiences when spending time with other devoted Seekervillians and with the delightful Seekers themselves here in Seekerville—or even in person, as some of us have been privileged to do. Here goes…

Seekerville Effect (seek-ur-vill eh-fekt) noun: the almost euphoric state that comes over one when having been blessed beyond belief by the benevolence, competence, excellence, experience, influence, intelligence, magnificence, patience, and supereminence of a member of the Seekers or a Seekervillian.

Since my debut novel released this month, Seeker Supreme, Tina Radcliffe, offered me a guest spot. Because the Seekerville Effect played a pivotal role on my path to publication, I zapped Tina my reply even faster than Helen’s coffee appears each morning.

This post is my opportunity to shine the spotlight on some super people and to convey some heartfelt gratitude. I’m sure you have many such stories of your own, which I invite you to share after you read mine, so it’s a good thing there’s no limit on the number of comments allowed on a single post.

Here are but a few of my experiences with the Seekerville Effect…

On January 1, 2006, I embarked on my writing journey. Fast-forward two years, two months, and twenty-five days to March 25, 2008. My phone rang. The call was from RWA board member Terri Reed telling me I was a Golden Heart finalist. Since I’d written in isolation, I didn’t even know that was the day of the GH calls or what a big deal it was to final, but I was happy nonetheless.

A few days later, I got an email from the editor of our local car club’s newsletter. She told me she’d received an email from someone named Tina about “some Golden Heart thing,” and wasn’t sure if she should send to me or label it as “junk” and delete it. I told her it was legit and asked her to send it my way.

That email from Tina, who found me via the member profiles I’d written for the car club—my only Google hits at that time—was an invitation to be a blog guest at Seekerville. Even though I’d lived in a cave and honestly didn’t know what a blog was, I replied. As you’ve no doubt guessed, I said yes. “The 2008 Golden Heart Inspirational Finalist-----Part 2” appeared on April 30. Thanks to Tina, I was no longer destined to live out my writerly existence in obscurity.

When that post went live, I experienced the Seekerville Effect in full force. Talk about a warm welcome. I was blown away by the love. The fact that Orlando Bloom accepted Ruthy’s invitation to serve as the Seekerville barista that day was way cool, too.

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July 2008 arrived, and I braved RWA® Nationals. Thanks to Tina, I’d met lots of wonderful writers online, many of whom were attending as well. Even so, I was still kinda scared. I’d been to two small writing conferences, but the thought of being at a hotel with 2,000 other writers—lots of them bestselling published authors, gave me the heebie jeebies.

When I prepared to walk into the first event—the Faith, Hope, and Love mini retreat—my knees were doing a good impression of castanets. I stood in the doorway, gulped, and with a hammering heart, took my first shaky steps into RWA territory.

And what happened next? Aw, c’mon. Take a guess. Uh huh. You got it! I experienced the Seekerville Effect.

I caught Janet Dean’s eye. Since I’d scheduled her as a guest on my brand new blog and had received her author photo, I recognized her. She recognized me, too, welcomed me, and helped me over that I’m-so-scared-I-just-might-pass-out feeling that had me in its grip. I’ll be forever grateful to her for that.

Janet Dean & Keli, FHL Meeting 2008 RWA Conference

                                                          

In May 2009, Seekervillian Amy of My Friend Amy held a contest. One of the prizes was a critique from none other than Seeker Julie Lessman. I wanted to win. Badly! So badly in fact that I did everything I could to earn bonus points in the drawing. My efforts paid off!

A couple of months later, I received a hard copy critique of the first chapter of what was then Violets & Violins—along with a very encouraging letter from Julie, one that hangs on my office wall to this day. She told me she had no doubt she’d be reading the rest of the story…in paperback.

Well, Jules, you were right! And what’s especially exciting is that the opening chapter of the story you read, which became my debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, bears your literary fingerprints. Your support, encouragement, generosity, and excellent feedback are just one more example of the Seekerville Effect at work. Thank you from the bottom of my giddy newbie author heart.

                                                              

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I know the triad is an excellent literary device and that my post would be most pleasing if I were to stop here, but try as I might, I just can’t. So brace yourselves, because there’s another triad coming at’cha. I’ll be nice and keep these recollections brief.

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In October 2009, Seekers Missy Tippens and Debby Guisti attended the Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight and Magnolias conference and sat with Seekervillian Walt Mussell during the awards ceremony when the Maggie winners were announced. To my utter amazement, my entry, Violets & Violins—as my debut novel was called back then—took first place in the inspirational category, a thrill Walt experienced two years later.

Walt had called me on his cell so I could hear the announcements. I heard the whoops and hollers and congratulations from Missy and Debby and then Walt, great guy that he is, took his phone to the mic, so I could deliver my acceptance speech live, so to speak. That was quite a high—and another excellent example of the Seekerville Effect in action.
                                                                     

On January 17, 2010, my awesome critique partner and loyal Seekervillian, Anne Barton, hijacked my blog and published a post: Of Cupcakes, Cats, and THE CALL. Seekers and Seekervillians showed up in droves to help me celebrate. Gotta love the Seekerville Effect.

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I can’t end this post without mentioning Ruthy. Dear, sweet, lovable Ruthy. And yes, I am talking about Seeker Ruth Logan Herne. I know she hides it well, but she has a heart of gold behind all her sass.

I’ll probably get an earful from Ruthy for saying such things in public, since she swore me to secrecy, but I can take it. Why? Because she gathered this uptight newbie writer under her wing and has put me through her own personal version of How to Lighten Up 101. Thanks to Ruthy and her wit, wisecracks, and wisdom, I’m tougher than I used to be—and better able to laugh at myself. Another testimony to the Seekerville Effect.

                                                               

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These are but a few of many stories I could tell about the ways I’ve benefited from the Seekerville Effect. I’m sure you have tonz of stories, too. I’d love to hear one or two of your favorites in the comments.

Because I’m so grateful to the Seekers and the Seekerville faithful, I’m offering an autographed copy of my debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, to TWO people who leave a comment on this post.



Seekerville would like to thank, Keli and wish her a very happy birthday. In honor of her birthday, which really is today, we're giving away a digital copy of  A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California. As usual all winners announced in the Weekend Ed. But you have to post to win. So let's give Keli a great Seekerville welcome AND birthday wishes.

Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters, and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, set in the heart of the Gold Country where she lives, will be released in July 2012.

When Keli’s fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of her newfangled laptop, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, the Coach factory outlet store, and Taco Bell.

More Keli/Seeker Photos!

Anne Barton, Debby Giusti, Keli. RWA 2010

Sandra Leesmith, Keli, Janet & Ann. RWA 2010

FHL Meeting at RWA 2010. Sandra, Myra Johnson, Janet, Keli, Ruth, Missy Tippens.

Keli, Anne & Mary Connealy after Anne's 2011 GH WIN!

Keli snaps Missy, Tina, Janet & Mary at an RWA 2011 PAN workshop.

Keli snapped this photo of Missy and Cara Lynne James at the RWA 2011 Awards.