The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart

I wrote a blog post sometime in early summer of 2009, in which I complained a little. (I know, not a good-karma thing.) I complained that there wasn’t a place for me within RWA, even though it’d been the only writers’ organization I’d been part of for years. See, my writing journey began when I put pen to paper for what I thought would be a romance. But the road dipped and curved and took me elsewhere, as roads are wont to do. It wasn’t until years later when I realized I would and should write women’s fiction—a cousin to romance in many cases and certainly in mine. But there wasn’t a women’s fiction group in RWA.

Why didn’t RWA support women’s fiction authors whose works were, well, romantic? Whose stories would appeal to romance readers craving something…more?

Some who read my post agreed with me. More still emailed privately to agree with me. But my critics really caught my attention: Stop complaining about it and set something up, they said. Who’s stopping you?

They were right, of course, but I couldn’t do anything about it.

I didn’t have time. I had a debut novel coming out.

I didn’t have time. I was busy with my blog and publicity, and I had to write another book.

I didn’t have time. I had two kids and a husband. I had a Jack Russell terrier, come on!

I didn’t have time.

I’m not sure why I did it—took the step and contacted National to see if this chapter, whose boundaries would exist outside the scope of romance, would even be considered. What a surprise! They responded to my request and sent preliminary paperwork. I filled out the section regarding the chapter’s purpose:

…to support authors (published and not-yet published) of romantic women’s fiction. All authors will write in the women’s fiction genre but will adhere to RWA standards re: a satisfying resolution of the romantic storyline.

I waited and was again surprised when the chapter was approved. Next came more paperwork. We would need chapter bylaws and to become incorporated, and we would need members—at least 15 in order to proceed. Oh, and officers—some people willing to stand beside me and work like crazy to get things done.

Weeks and months passed, and these things were accomplished. I worked on the bylaws and becoming incorporated, and added Leslie Scantlebury’s phone number to my speed dial. Several helpmates rounded up the names of interested parties within RWA. Our numbers climbed: 20, 30, 50, 70, 90. Ninety people who were interested in becoming charter members of the chapter. I was astounded by the support.

And we had officers. Great officers. A Vice President of Communications, Michelle Diener, who would establish a website and newsletter, and manage a staff of volunteer helpers. (A special and sincere thanks to Mica Stone for her amazing work with this website.) A Vice President of Programs, Maggie Marr, who would establish our workshops and experiment with new technologies and create a slew of forward-thinking plans for our chapter. A treasurer, Barbara Braun, who would keep track of our dues as they rolled in and would be hard to overwhelm. A secretary, Susan Crandall, willing to share her organization skills, take mountains of notes and brainstorm with the best of them.

There was another: A Wise Woman—a position I added to the bylaws to ensure our chapter would always have someone on the board published in women’s fiction and willing to lend her advice to our unique group of writers. If there’s any doubt that Barbara Samuel O’Neal is not perfect for this position, please read her welcome letter. You’ll see what I do.

So, finally, here we are.

Thank you, my dear critics, for advising me to shut up and ACT. And thank you, RWA, for making room for us.

Tenacity can be a weakness, a fault, but it can also be a good thing. I’d like to think that in this case, the tenacity of all of our officers, who worked to create the foundation for this new chapter, was indeed a great thing. We have a home now, and isn’t it lovely? Please explore, settle in, join the conversation.

Welcome.

Therese Walsh