CONTACT CAROLINE
facebook
rss
tumblr
twitter
goodreads
youtube

  • Home
  • Write Away Blog
  • Books
    • Books
    • Trompe l’Oeil
    • Heart Land
    • Gothic Spring
    • Ballet Noir
    • Book Excerpts
  • Video Interviews
  • Press
    • News
    • Print Interviews
    • Plays
    • Ballet Noir in the Press
    • Trompe l’Oeil In The Press
    • Gothic Spring In The Press
    • Heart Land Reviews
  • Contact
  • About
  • Resources
    • Writer Resources
    • Favorite Blogs
    • Favorite Artists



There is No Such Thing as a Virtual Friend

Jul 10, 2012
by Caroline Miller
Writer
4 Comments

I thought I knew what I was doing when I began a new career in my 70’s. I am retired. My income meets my needs. What better time to explore new terrains? Though I felt confident about this new direction, as I reflect back, I realize I was, and probably still am, something of a child. Thus far, my experiences vary from my expectations. I thought writing would be a solitary venture, just me and my computer. The opposite is true. There is more to being a writer than turning out passable prose. I am required to market my work and that means reaching out to the world through the internet. Joining Facebook and Twitter was obligatory as was having a blog so that I could acquaint myself with fellow bloggers. Truth is, I’ve spent more time promoting my books than writing them.

Having been a politician, reaching out is almost as natural as breathing. But I hadn’t counted on meeting so many remarkable people. Ric makes me laugh. Ani is young and so in love with love that I have to smile on occasion. And then there the several women nearer my generation whose humanity touches me, some of them living as far away as Australia and Canada and in far corners of the United States, most of whom I shall never see. John lives near me. We used to work together. But if I thought I knew him when we were colleagues, I was mistaken. Through the internet, I’ve come to admire his character. Never beaten or bowed or bloodied by challenges, he teaches me how to live with grace. The same can be said for many of my newfound friends. I read of the diseases that afflict them or the pain they’ve suffered in losing a loved one. What can I say except, “I’m sorry.” Still, I hope they feel my insubstantial hugs. I’m grateful to them. They are teaching me about courage.

group hug 

 

 

 

 

 

(Courtesy community.guinnessworldrecords.com)

That I should smile or grieve with friends unseen and unknown to me, except as electronic impulses, comes as a shock. But there it is. The heart makes no distinction between real and virtual worlds.

Social Share
4 Comments
  1. Dayle Ann Stratton July 10, 2012 at 6:36 pm Reply
    You know what, Caroline? No matter what brought you to Facebook, I'm glad we connected.You have taught me much simply by being who you are. I'm grateful. And grateful that we had the chance to meet in person and share some real time together. I cherish that. I hope we can repeat that experience.
    • Caroline Miller July 13, 2012 at 3:07 pm Reply
      You read my mind, Dayle. I hope we do have time for another coffee.
  2. Anne Hendren July 11, 2012 at 11:35 pm Reply
    Dear Caroline, Thank you for being the example you are to all of us who are struggling to become half of what you are. Thank you for your eagerness to share your struggles and your life with friends, virtual friends and neighbors on similar journeys.
    • Caroline Miller July 13, 2012 at 3:06 pm Reply
      Thanks for your kind words, Anne. Much appreciated.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

Subscribe to Caroline’s Blog


 

Archives

Categories

YouTube-logo-inline2 To access and subscribe to my videos on YouTube, Click Here and click the Subscribe button.

Banner art “The Receptive” by Charlie White of Charlie White Studio

Web Admin: ThinPATH Systems, Inc
support@tp-sys.com

Subscribe to Caroline's Blog


 

Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Sitemap | Privacy Notice

AUDIO & VIDEO VAULT

View archives of Caroline’s audio and videos interviews.


Copyright © Books by Caroline Miller
Posting....