There is a long list of reasons why I consider writing romance the best job in the world. Even on days when my brain is mush and finding the words is slow and excrutiating, even on those rottenest of days this is still a damn good job. In fact it’s on those days that the number one on my long list comes to the fore.
#1 reason why writing romance is the best job: the friends you make.
And in this job–this life–you make true friends, not just workmates or colleagues. They’re the ones who understand those horrible days, who commiserate with you when necessary because Lord knows they’ve been there themselves…possibly just yesterday. They also give you a solid kick in the whiney-pants when you need one.
They know how to celebrate your successes. They’re fabulous for bouncing ideas off and for brainstorming titles. They can always recommend a great book or movie or new-season TV series. They share the soundtracks they write to, they send jokes that really are funny, and lately my Aussie romance author friends have also been sharing recipes.
Not so strange, you might think, being a bunch of women. Except we’re a bunch of women writers, known to avoid housework, known to favour ordering-in or the coffee-and-chocolate meal or anything else that involves no thought and even less time. But early this year one of this bunch–fabulous HM&B author Marion Lennox–came up with the idea for what amounted to a friendship quilt…but with words instead of stitches.
Marion’s vision was a collection of romantic short stories, each a taste of the author’s voice and personality, a sharing of friendship and of mutual respect for each others’ writing. And what if each story had a food theme, and a recipe to go with? The result is an anthology titled Sizzle Seduce & Simmer, published by MIRA Australia and launched (deliciously!) last week.
As a fun promo thing for the launch, Marion had aprons made. We all wore them. And suddenly we’ve become kitchen divas, madly swapping more recipes, teaching each other the intricacies of blind baking and attempting to define the imperfect measure known as “a glug of.”
In Marion’s words, from the foreward of Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer, “We love these stories and are having a ball trying each others’ recipes. We believe our joy in the art of writing romance shines through these pages. That’s our link - what makes us such good friends.”
What do you like to share and swap with your best friends? Share your thoughts and I’ll put you in the draw to win a signed copy of Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer and one of the (limited edition!) aprons. Winner to be drawn November 9.
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Hi Bronwyn,
I like to share book recommendation with my friends, that way we always discover new authors and books
by Danny
on November 6th, 2007 at 6:51 am
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Hi Bronwyn! Actually, my sister is my best friend and we share just about everything. From parenting advice, book recommendations, recipes……
by Sharmi
on November 6th, 2007 at 7:15 am
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I recommend books to my friends since they always appreciate this input. Another thing that they like to know about is where they can get great car service.
by ruth
on November 6th, 2007 at 9:47 am
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I share books, magazines, recipes and advice(when asked for) with my friends.
by Crystal B.
on November 6th, 2007 at 10:38 am
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Can I be a kitchen diva along with you, please!!! LOL. My sisters and sister-in-law share recipes, magazines, books and cooking tips. One is always phoning the other
for some advice on cooking/baking. In fact, this morning I received an e-mail from one sister with oodles of cookie recipes; great for Christmas baking.
by RobynL
on November 6th, 2007 at 11:22 am
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My sister-in-law and I share books and recipes and funny stories.
by Joyce
on November 6th, 2007 at 11:58 am
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Hi Bronwyn, Love your topic today. I do share recipes with a very good friend since she is a wonderful cook and has all types of easy methods and ideas which are helpful. As well as cooking she is an avid reader so I always give her suggestions for books which she loves to hear about. We do discuss serious matters and give each other advice and help when needed.
by ellie
on November 6th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
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I like to share gossip and magazines with my friends. We also like to talk about what clothing or house items we recently bought.
by Jane
on November 6th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
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A good friend gives me her great magazine selection and I give her books that are memorable. We both look forward to new reading material. She is very creative so I can get wonderful ideas about culinary creations.
by diane
on November 6th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
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My friends and I share books, shoulders to cry on, and recipes.
by Patty L.
on November 6th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
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GOSSIP - hehehe 
by Karen B
on November 6th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
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We swap books and movies!
by Teresa W.
on November 6th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
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My friends and I share our time, book/music recommendations, and girls’ lunches out.
I cook so much for my family that when I have time to see my friends, we usually eat out. The exception is that on holidays we usually do have at least one dinner where we invite friends as well as family.
by Zara
on November 6th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
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Book recommendations, recipes and sympathy when our families get on our nerves.
by Maureen
on November 6th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
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My friends and I share good books, good recipes, good ideas and good times. We love to get together and try new restaurants, see new plays and movies and discuss opinions on various subjects. We try to keep each other updated on anything new that we are interested in and, of course, any good sales going on…very important.
by Shari C
on November 6th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
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My friends and I share good books, good music, good food (recipes are involved) and drink.
by Little Lamb Lost
on November 6th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
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I love to swap book recommendations and recipes with my friends. We also share encouragement when any of us feels discouraged. It’s great to have such good friends!
by Cherie J
on November 6th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
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When a friend has read a wonderful novel she always mentions it to me so that I can enjoy it too. We get together to compare various recipes through the different seasons since we like to vary our repertoire of good food.
by pearl
on November 6th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
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Books! None of us can afford to buy ALL the books we want to read, so we borrow or swap books with each other.
by Minna
on November 6th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
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My friends and I swap books , recipes and movies.
by Estella
on November 6th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
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Books for one, recipes, food and my opinion.
by Tammy G.
on November 6th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
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I can attest that the launch of the book was wonderful. I have my copy signed by all the wonderful authors who could make the launch in Melbourne. You could see and feel the friendship that these women have.
I have a group of friends where we share what books we are reading. I keep going.. “lalalala” because I really don’t need more authors to read - my TBR pile is tall enough.
We are now sharing a weekly email with our trial and tribulations for getting back into shape and losing some weight. It is great having the support of friends.
While I don’t need another copy of the book.. those aprons were very cute. 
Ann M.
Expat Down Under
by Ann M.
on November 6th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
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We always trade stories and then books. Since we are all readers that is a treat. Then we talk about health concerns.
by anne
on November 6th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
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I share movies and recipes with my friends.
by Sue A.
on November 6th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
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I love to share books and stories with them
by Nathalie
on November 6th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
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Great topic
I share books, magazines, recipes, book marks, magnets, pens, goodies I get from authors, chocolate, candy, movies, music, picture’s and stories. Also coupons for book stores.
Hugssss
LindaH
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I also share with them websites and talk to them about new to me authors and my favorite authors and blogs.
Hugssss
LindaH
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I used to belong to a coupon/rebate group but that fell to the wayside when they weren’t so good any more lol. My sister and I share all things having to do with books and contests and blogs, etc. I also belong to a card group and we share everything else lol.
by catslady
on November 6th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
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We share recipes, books, and DVDs.
by Linda F
on November 6th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
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When I was younger, I always wanted to share clothes with my sister. She wanted no part of mine and wouldn’t let me wear anything of hers. I’d, on occasion, borrow something and then tuck it away at the bottom of her laundry basket so she wouldn’t find out. lol So, I’d like to share clothes with my friends, although none of them are my size. We mostly share cleaning ideas, recipes, beauty tips and an ear to help during troubled times.
by Kim
on November 6th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
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Food is one of those things that is so much fun to share like with my hubby!
Also when it comes to books I like to talk to strangers in the book stores and share our tastes in books. That is a good feeling to find someone who loves the same books as you! Also, I have my favorite bookstores where I know the ladies who work there. I just love talking to them about the latest books and what they are reading!
by Michele L.
on November 6th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
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Hey, everyone. Had to go out today and arrived home to a whole swag of comments. 
It’s neat to see so many of you share books and book recommendations, also that you make new friends through your reading interest Michele, that you’ve made friends with the booksellers, too! While in town — my nearest one with real shops! — I wanted to buy some more copies of Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer. None were to be had! 
I notice that a lot of you also share recipes (and food dates!) with your BFF.
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 6th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
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Sharmi, I love that yr sister is yr best friend. I have 3 sisters and we’re all good friends as well. While reading and responding to these posts, we’re all messaging back and forth trying to arrange a date that suits us all to go and see Billy Elliott, the musical. It’s to be our Christmas treat/get-together as we live all over and don’t get together, face to face, nearly often enough.
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 6th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
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Robyn, yes! Kitchen divas of the world unite!! Cookies for Christmas, eh. That’s one tradition we haven’t adopted from overseas, possibly because our Christmas is summer and the baking of cookies (and eggnog) seems more a winter activity. Possibly. But I love the idea of baking Christmas cookies! And making eggnog!! 
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 6th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
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Ellie, your friend who is a wonderful cook and avid reader sounds like my kind of friend!
Jane and Karen — gossip. Great answer!
Patty L — a shoulder to cry on has to be one of the best things to share with a friend.
Your opinion. Another wonderful thing to share, Tammy. :LOL:
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 6th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
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Shari, sharing updates on sales going on — now there’s true friendship!
Hi, Ann. Waving. It was so lovely to meet you at the Melbourne launch party. The aprons are pretty cute, yes?
Linda, I love that you share website and new author recommends with your friends. Very cool.
Kim, clothes sharing — oh, yes. My big sister STILL gives me hand-me-downs and I don’t mind a bit. She has excellent taste.
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 6th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
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I have different friends with whom i share different things (and different sides of me actually). My sisters first, we share advice, books and memories of our mum who passed away six years ago, as well as that most precious of commodities - babysitting. With my mothers group friends i share toddler tales (let each other know we’re not alone with terrible 2s) and girls nights. And with my old schoolfriends i share the kind of understanding that comes with having so much history together - as well as recipes, advice, clothes, shoes and ears for listening. I did share a boyfriend when i was about 15 with one of them too…
by Bec
on November 7th, 2007 at 12:05 am
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What are best friends for if not to share the ups and downs in life. I would absolutely not survive without my dearest friends to share these times. My good times get them out of their doldrums and hardships and vice versa. They are always there for me. They are my treasure. Just as well I don’t have to dig too far to find them. We share everything! Oh and of course that includes books, recipes and coffee-time chats 
Regards Annie
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Hi Bron,
I think a lot of it has been covered - thanks to the internet I share jokes, recipes, advice about sales and where to buy products. Of course I always share news about books by my favourite authors. I have a friend who lost weight two years ago. She has extremely good taste in clothes and I inherited a whole lot of new outfits! And there was enough to clothe a lot of my other friends too. 
We also share perfume and skincare if we have it and it doesn’t suit us - we pass it on. Great way to try new products Excellent topic!
And it was great seeing you at the anthology launch. Wasn’t it fun!
Hugs
Serena
by Serena
on November 7th, 2007 at 12:37 am
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Hi Bronwyn,
i have a pretty close knit extended family & so we share our lives - the ups and the downs. From life - I was there when my godson was born (what a special experience) to deaths (my aunt passed away suddenly a few years back) and almost everything in between — books, coffees, phone calls, shoulder to cry on, laughs, good conversations, movies, games, shopping, work, pizza night - organising weddings and christenings, get togethers. i’m blessed to have that in my life.
by Helen
on November 7th, 2007 at 1:10 am
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Hi Bronwyn,
Friends are very important not only for sharing the good times but the bad as well. Quite a few years ago I joined, MRWG, a wonderful writing group and now I have great friends who share my love of writing and everything romance. The book launch was fantastic, so many people, such generous authors. Hugs, Margaret
by Margaret
on November 7th, 2007 at 1:25 am
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Hi Bronwyn, Food is definitely at the top of the list for sharing with friends, followed by book and movie recommendations. My friends and I have a book club where we all make food according to a theme in the most recent book we have read. It often gets some mixed results, especially one when we had a theme of “Honey”. It’s always great fun though, and reminds me of why we make the effort to begin with. Cheers, Andrea
by Andrea
on November 7th, 2007 at 3:55 am
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It is very cool thanks Bronwyn. It sure is fun to share recipe’s also I love to cook and bake. I have one recipe I love I got it from my auntie. It’s her tuna macaroni salad 
Bronwyn if you like I can email you some recipes
Hugssss
LindaH
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Sharing hmmm? Well, my dearest friends all have small children, just as I do, and unfortunately the thing we tend to share the most is germs! Not that we like to share them, but kids will be kids. On a happier note we love to share the ups and downs of our lives with each other, from monster-in-law stories to cute kid things.
Cait!
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Love this topic! What do my girlfriends and I share? Man talk, best cheap cosmetics websites, man talk, stupid email jokes, swapping Oaks Day “frocks”, talking about men, dreams, helping each other write fabulous resumes, champagne, fixing up old furniture, talking about men - oh, and their “iss-ewes” - the list goes on. Our cooking is pretty basic. Chips, sushi and champagne. It works for us. But we would LOVE to see some sizzlin’ recipes. Louise
by Louise
on November 7th, 2007 at 7:07 am
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I love to share recipesa and a nice meal with a friend. Also recommending good books and lending a book.
And of course being able to just talk or give support during bad times and being able to vent to a friend and get back some support when needed.
by Pat L
on November 7th, 2007 at 7:29 am
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I’m not much of a cook, but I do love to share recipes. A friend of mine always finds the best recipes for me to try (and since she knows me so well they are always easy). I also love it when people recommend books to me and I have recommended my share of books to others. We also will call each other when we hear of something fun our kids might want to do in the community.
by Laura J
on November 7th, 2007 at 8:13 am
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I like to share with friends good places to eat, good movies… not good books though… they all love to read thrillers 
by Lily
on November 7th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
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Working, writing, parenting, etc, is all time consuming these days, so when I can, I like to just relax and share time with my family. We’ll play cards at the kitchen table, watch a movie in bed on a rainy day, eating chocolate or popcorn.
Simple things. Good things.
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What do I share? I’m a frustrated chef so it’s definitely recipes. Then there’s books of course, although I get very grumpy when they don’t come back. But I guess the best thing I like to share is (very cliched, I know) good times with friends and family. Fantastic food, nice wine and great company - you can’t go wrong. And it’s we’re coming up to the best time of the year for that. Roll on summer. Cathryn
by Cathryn
on November 7th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
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Hi Bron,
I couldn’t agree more about how great it is to have romance writers and readers as friends. What a great bunch of mates I’ve acquired since beginning to write romance! As for what I like to share: obviously the good news. It’s great celebrating the acceptance of a book or a great review or whatever with people who understand how important these things are. But it’s also wonderful being able to share the less fun times when things aren’t going right. My friends perk me up and support me and tell lousy jokes and generally help me feel better. One of the other things we share is a love of good food and especially chocolate (so I understand how dear to your heart ‘Sizzle, Seduce and Simmer, ‘ must be).
Annie
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Oh, wow, lots more wonderful comments. Seems as though we all love to share our love of books and reading, as well as advice and a shoulder and support through the good times and the bad.
Bec, I love that you share babysitting and I’m LOL at the boyfriend-sharing. Sounds like a story starter for a YA book.
Annie, coffee-time chats. Yes. Love those. I’m a bit isolated in where I live, but I have one fellow author and great friend close by and we had a great catch-up last week over coffee and cake. Mmm, cake.
Bron
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 7th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
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Hi Serena, waving, and Margaret. It was wonderful to see you both at the launch last week. Love yr idea for sharing clothes and cosmetics tips. (And thank you for the website tip, Serena!)
Helen, sharing the cycle of life — now that is special. And what a bond you must now have with yr godson. He is so lucky to be born into an extended family network.
Andrea, I love yr idea of having a food theme for your book club meetings. Wish I lived closer! 
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 7th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
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Mmm, tuna macaroni salad sounds good, Linda. I’m always up for new recipes to try, and with summer thundering down upon us down-under, salads are perfect.
Caitlyn on sharing germs. That’s too funny…and too true. I’ve never had less colds and flus than since my guys grew up and stopped bringing them home.
Man talk, and iss-ewes. LOL, Louise. And are you going to the Oaks or just having an Oaks-day party? Either way, jealous. Much. :green:
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 7th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
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Talk, support, venting — well said, Pat.
Laura, I’m a fan of the easy recipe as well. And sometimes they just happen to produce the tastiest results.
Not a fan of thrillers then, Lily? I bet you get blots of good recommendations from other readers on line, though.
Anne, I agree on the simple things adding the most meaning. My eldest son has been overseas for what feels like forever, but he’ll be home next month and I am soooo looking forward to having all my family here and enjoying those simple pleasures of togetherness, good food, good conversation
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 7th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
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Fantastic food, nice wine and great company - you can’t go wrong.
Word, Cathryn. I’m a summer person, too, and love, love, love the summertime fruits. Mangoes, cherries, peaches. Mmmm. Bring it on!
Hi, Annie. Yes on the bunch of great mates you make as a romance writer and reader. For the good times and the not-so-good, there is a wonderful support network.
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 7th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
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My friends and I share everything! Good or bad, we are in it together.
We shop, gossip, cook, scrapbook, watch movies and share music and books.
I would be miserable without them!
by Angie T
on November 7th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
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I share my lifes moments with my friends. We all wonder if what we do is right or wrong, if we should be doing this or that and think we are all alone. Until we talk and find out we all have similar struggles and concerns. Swapping stories like, yes, my child does that too or yes, my husband is like this also etc. Sharing the dry throats and sore cheeks from constant talking, is the only side effect!
by Fiona
on November 8th, 2007 at 3:23 am
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Hi Bron
Everyday mum responsibilities. I share those with my best friend Sue. Both of us are expats, and both our husbands work away from home, so we two friends share our time with each other, so we don’t go insane trying to be super-mums.
It isn’t uncommon to find either of us with all 4 boys, while the other mum is in a meeting or at a writers group etc. We have even had the wrong mum with one of the kids at hospital having xrays or stitches etc. eg. We try give each other a night off once a week when both hubbies are away for long (often 3 weeks at a time) by cooking for the other family, then when dinner is done, the visitor goes home. The host does dishes everything, that way you still have a night out, don’t do dishes, and keep to your schedule on a school night.
What makes it so funny is that we are a similar height, build and even accent when we speak, so some people think we are one person with 4 boys, instead of 2 good friends, getting on with life by sharing our time.
That’s our sharing story shared with you. Bye 4 now Tina
by Tina C
on November 8th, 2007 at 4:29 am
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Hi Bronwyn, We enjoy going out to eat or ordering in when we get together and then we catch up on eachothers lives. We talk about everything from A to Z. Since everyone is always so busy, we don’t do it very often, so when we do it’s a real treat.
by Dena
on November 8th, 2007 at 4:34 am
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Hi, Angie. Wouldn’t we be miserable without our friends? Too true.
Sharing life’s moments. Well said, Fiona.
Tina, I’ve just smiled through yr twin-expats story and the cases of mistaken identity, as I’m currently writing a book about sisters being mistaken for each other.
Hey, Dena. Waving. I love ordering-in, too, although unfortunately can’t do that at home. I think it’s picky of them, but no one will deliver to my farm!
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 8th, 2007 at 5:38 am
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Gardening, gossip, gastronomy. Critiques & crankiness. Rants, raves & racing tips. And time. My friends are the only people with whom I’ll share my time.
cheers xxx
by eva eden
on November 8th, 2007 at 5:50 am
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Love the ‘literation, Eva, made to match the book title. And I want to know if you get GOOD racing tips? Because my friends haven’t been coming through with winners lately!
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 8th, 2007 at 6:05 am
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I still swap clothes with my daughter, in HS it was my sister, both of them have great taste and I take advantage because I HATE TO SHOP!! … instant headache. I swap recipes with neighbors & friends. I collect cookbooks, so there’s always something new to try out. Books & book recommendations . DEFINITELY!! Although mine are always romance related!!! My neighbor shares her garden produce and flowers!! Gotta love Her!! Finally music, I have 4 kids and they have enjoyed my music tastes throughout the years and now they have exposed me to theirs. Not all to my taste, but I like to try everything out!
by Laurie
on November 8th, 2007 at 6:51 am
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Hi Bron, my best friend is about to have her first baby so I’m answering any concerns she has. I don’t give advice and say my way is the right way but I just give her tips on what worked for me. We don’t swap a lot of things just hugs when either one of us needs them.
by Nicki
on November 8th, 2007 at 7:12 am
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I love to share stories and cooking recipes
by Lila
on November 8th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
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I like to share thoughts and ideas over lunch with my friends.
by Christy H.
on November 9th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
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Laurie, I reckon that’s really cool that you still swap clothes with yr daughter. I don’t have a daughter but I have nieces. I only WISH I was a size that I could share their clothes! Oh, and I want me a friend who shares garden produce. Nothing beats home-grown, esp tomatoes.
Nicki, your friend is lucky to have a friend like you.
Hi Lila and Christy H, and thanks to everyone who commented and turned this into such a wonderful discussion. What a wonderful bunch of friends you all have…and all are!
Now I need to draw a winner. I’ll go find my little barrel of numbers and be right back…
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 9th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
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And the winner is…drumroll…#58.
Scrolling, scrolling That’s Fiona. Congratulations! And thanks again everyone who read and commented.
by Bronwyn Jameson
on November 9th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
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Big congrats Fiona!
by Danny
on November 11th, 2007 at 3:03 am
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Woohoo! Fiona! A big congrats to you!
by Michele L.
on November 11th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
