Aww, so glad you're here, Jen!  I hope this place becomes a source of some inspiration and encouragement for you.  I am in a group, The Submission Mission, which you should definitely join!  I'm an admin with another woman who currently lives in Peru, and my mentor, Anna Leahy, started the group.  Friend her too.  Even if you're not ready to submit writing, we're a lively, hard working and energetic bunch, and we'd love to have you in the group!!  I hope your writing is well.  Loved the blog post.  I think the sappiness is fine too--Carl Phillips, in his essay "On Beauty," says something to the effect of, "Beauty [and I think love too] is on the one side of the river, and American poetry is on the other side, where we've happily set up camp against it."  He thinks this is totally wrong.  So do I.  Let's celebrate love and lushness, and find a unique and beautiful way to write about it!

Hi and let me be one of the first to welcome you to Shewrites.  This is a terrific site, tons of resources and innovative info.  As my own bonus, you have access to my teaching site and free teachings on memoir.  Just click here and sign up.  No spam, I promise.  Just great teaching tips.  Enjoy!  XO Jennifer