On Friday Fun last week we all did a gratitude post. Since it is the day before Thanksgiving, I thought I’d hit the theme again.
Did anyone else do a Gratitude Journal after reading Simple Abundance? It called for writing down five things you are truly grateful for daily. No matter what the day was like. For me, the journaling ceased, but the practice hasn’t. So, let me take a moment and make a list for my writing life. I am grateful for:
- This blog, and the amazing blog calendar that keeps me on track to post every two weeks.
- My blogmates.
- Sisters in Crime, the Guppies, and Sisters in Crime New England. In other words, my in person and on line mystery writing community.
- My fellow board members for Sisters in Crime New England. We are a volunteer group, but the dedication is formidable.
- The New England Crime Bake. A three day writers’ conference that always inspires and rejuvenates me.
- Level Best Books. My short story, “Her Wish”, was included in Dead Calm, their new anthology. We did a signing at Crime Bake, another thrill.
- Writing mentors who give you criticism and support.
- DropBox. My novel is with me all the time, no matter which computer I am using. And it is backed up.
- Computers. Not necessarily for first drafts, but definitely for revisions.
- Friends and family who are willing to be first readers of my work.
- P.D. James. Not only is she still going well into her 90′s, but she released a Jane Austen mash-up called Death Comes to Pemberley. On my holiday reading list.
- NaNoWriMo. Though it is kicking me in the butt, I am writing. And finding time to write. And for that I am grateful.
- You. For reading, commenting, following and supporting this blog. Thank you!
A baker’s dozen of gratitude. An incomplete list, but one I will continue to work on through the holidays.
Happy Thanksgiving dear readers.
Julie
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J.A. Hennrikus J.A. (Julie) Hennrikus is the Executive Director of StageSource. She is a mystery writer who will have her story “Her Wish” published by Level Best Books this fall. She is a huge social media fan, and tweets under @JulieHennrikus. She wrestles with allusions of athleticism, is an avid theatre goer and a proud member of Red Sox nation. Her website is jahennrikus.com. Her short story, “Tag, You’re Dead” was published by Level Best Books in Thin Ice, an anthology of crime stories by New England writers. Julie is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppies. She is a board member of the New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
My writer’s blessings:
1. Perserverance that gets me through periods of self-doubt.
2. A creative mind that won’t leave me alone.
3. Stories that reveal themselves to me in increments and/or the moments when creative fireworks go off.
4. Dreams in which characters speak to me, or stories revealed.
5. Writers group members that don’t mind how much I “talk shop” and who share wonderful stories of their own and who trust me to “read” for them, which helps me practice being a better self-editor.
6. Other writers – from everywhere (location isn’t important) – who inspire me to keep going.
7. Endurance to keep going despite the fact I am at the poorhouse door.
8. Faith in myself – that I AM, most definitely, a REAL writer.
9. Hope, that eventually it will all work out and I WILL make a decent living doing what I love.
10. Belief this is the essence of who I am – an artist who can create something beyond myself.
11. Above all, love – of what I’m doing and the people I meet in that process including the love that is generated by sharing the art form.
Not necessarily in any particular order….just off the cuff thoughts about how I am blessed as a writer – internally and externally.
Thanks for making me take a moment, after reading your post, to think about these specific kinds of blessings.
Laura,
Thanks for your list. It is inspiring to see that you count count challenges as blessings. Such a great way to reframe this life.
Happy Thanksgiving!
It”s often hard to see in real-time that challenges ARE blessings, but when we get to the other side, we look at our old self and our new self, and we know we’re better. Besides, if writing were NOT a challenge (an all the stuff that goes with it), why would any of us even bother?
Most serious writers (serious does not preclude beginners) love the challenge of the craft! It’s part of what attracts us.
Have a lovely thanksgiving, life is grand isn’t it! c
Very cool list!
You were very smart when you selected the Thanks giving factors,they actually tacked me.I on the other hand would like to pull you out of the oblivion you are now.I need to talk to you Hen,besides, I have a dream that has not been realized, yet.It can be done with your help.
I forgot all about dropbox when I made my list. I love dropbox! And I love the chance to read gratitude lists. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving. J
http://wp.me/p1R9SP-2H
Just a most helpful post to greet me the first time visiting this blog. How ecstatic I am to find it! Just a few things I am grateful for:
1. Supportive, loving, insightful friends and family who are all so happy I am
writing again every day, after being so-self effacing for a couple of decades.
2. Supportive and insightful community of writers online.
3. Abundant blessings in the natural world surrounding me where I now live.
4. Cantankerous, obtuse community folk who spur me on to explore more
creative, empathetic, and care-ful ways to communicate.
5. The type of physical health that seems to flourish on a steady diet of
nature walks alternated with long sessions at the keyboard.
6. My Creator who loves me and laughs with me over hill and dale.
Thanks for introducing me to Dropbox. I think I may use it.
I just finished Nanowrimo as well! It helped me finish my first novel