Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Writers Giving Thanks

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~Author Unknown

As Thanksgiving draws near, it's a great time to reflect on what we're thankful for. I'm sure the blogosphere will be 'stuffed' with many fabulous posts about giving thanks, and I'll add this one to the table.

There are constants in my regular life that I'm grateful for -- faith, family, and good health. Here are some things we can be thankful for in our writing lives:
  • Evolving skills. We're not the same writers we were 12 months ago. Published or unpublished, we're constantly learning and growing.
  • Seeking publication in this time of amazing opportunities. The industry is shifting before our eyes, and new avenues for publication are opening up.
  • The blogging community. We all learn from each other, and I love how we're on this wild ride together. Bloggers and Tweeters are so generous with information and inspiration.
In your regular life and/or your writing life (and whether or not you celebrate the American holiday) what are you thankful for this year?

Sorry about the questionable photo. I couldn't resist!

38 comments:

  1. That photo is hilarious!!
    I am thankful for all the great writers I've met this past year :-)

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  2. Julie,

    I could not agree more with you on all three counts. I especially love your positive take on the state of the publishing business right now. I'm thankful to be on the path with you!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. Paul, I feel the same way. I'm so glad I've met all of you!

    Julie, ditto. You're one of those positive writers whom I'm so glad I've connected with.

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  4. so so true, Julie! I know I'm not the same writer I was this time last year, and I am thankful for that. Bleeps are truly encouraging and helpful--thank goodness I'm not still over here doing this alone (or I probably wouldn't be!). These are all three great points. Thanks~

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  5. I'm also thankful for the wonderful friends and cohorts *snorts at funny word* that I've made. Especially YOU. :D

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  6. Thanks for the reminder that there is great opportunity within the ever-evolving publishing industry of today. I truly needed to hear that.

    As for my "regular life," I compiled a list of ten things for which I am especially grateful this year--all of which revolve around my mom because her world came crashing down this past summer...because of the battle she's now fighting...because she's always been there for me--even still.

    "Thank you, Mom...for being a good listener in spite of the vat of foolishness I’m sure to have delivered over the years…for reminding me that you can never have too many friends or woolen blazers…for emphasizing the importance of pausing when a child speaks, allowing the void to be filled with what’s really on their minds."

    Read the rest if you can spare the time.

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  7. Julie, I am thankful for my wonderful family and amazing friends. I am also thankful for all the lovely writing friends I have made when I started blogging. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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  8. Ha on the photo!

    I'm thankful for all the wonderful blogging buddies I've met this year.

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  9. Greatest turkey picture ever. Someone has a twisted sense of humor--hahaha.

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  10. Totally love the photo. Lots of things to be thankful for--both related to writing and not. Great friends, supportive spouses, tolerant children (lol). Have a great holiday!

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  11. I'm thankful I cam be my writer self online, because no one else gets that in real life. I also agree with your list there. And that pic is THE funniest LOL

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  12. Awesome post! Your points are right on. I'm so thankful for the writing community and my writing friends, including you. :) And that picture is hilarious!

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  13. Photo makes me want to avoid the stuffing this year.
    And I'm participating in a "Thankful" blogfest tomorrow, so will post mine then.

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  14. I love your first thankful point especially. That's absolutely true and so necessary to remember all year round. Have a great Thanksgiving, Julie!

    Amy

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  15. I love how you put that, "new avenues are opening up." That is so true! And a wonderful way to look at a changing industry. I'm blogging about what I'm thankful for tomorrow on Heather's Odyssey. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  16. I'm thankful for the same sorts of things, but if I think harder, I'll add: cozy fires, gladed donuts, and gigantic garden squash. ;)

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  17. HahaHA, Alex C--the photo makes you want to avoid stuffing. That is as hilarious as the photo. ;o)

    And I LOVE the writing community. It's like one big friendly family who understands what you're going through. Definitely something to be thankful for!

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  18. You guys totally crack me up! Love all these thankful thoughts.

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  19. Thankful for family, friends, and every good gift God has given me, some of them through family and friends who are His hands. Grateful for trials that teach me what I most need to know.

    And I love the Blogger community. I would really miss these online friends if Blogger should fold. I hope it doesn't!--And I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    That is one crazy photograph!! IT cracked me up!!!
    Ann

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  20. Ha ha on the photo. I did have to do a little double take, but it was totally worth it. ;)

    I love how you say we aren't the same writer we were a year ago. So true.

    And I'm thankful for all the awesome blogging community.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  21. I'm especially thankful for the blogging community! When I started my blog a year ago, I never imagined I'd get to know so many wonderful people through my blog. Other than that, just like you said: health, family, and faith.

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  22. the picture is too funny! I'm thankful for so many things including blogging buddies. I've grown and changed so much b/c of them. ☺

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  23. Love the pic! :)

    I'm so thankful I stumbled onto the blogging community almost completely by accident. The people are amazing. It's so cool to have so many friends all over the globe!! :)

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  24. LOL!!! That photo is so funny!!

    Through all the ups and downs, I'm very thankful to be experiencing the publishing process -- a dream I've had since childhood.

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  25. Hi there Julie. Just caught you over on Lydia's blog. Don't connect much these busy days! I love the writer's spin on Thanksgiving. It is so true how we grow and we are definitely inspired by other bloggers. I put up a post for a Thanksgiving blogfest you might like to read??

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  26. Hmm, the photo is rather dubious :)

    I'm so thankful for all the friends I've made in the writing community, they've enriched my life enormously!

    Rach

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  27. hilarious foto ---- and ever-inspiring words.

    happiest of thanksgivings, julie, to you and yours♡

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  28. I love your words of thanks, and I heartily agree--110%!

    Oh, and that picture is funny, but I admit I think I gagged a little when I saw it.
    ;P

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  29. Hi Julie, first time visitor ... like many here I'm self published and couldn't agree more with your post. We are better writers than we were a year ago this time and the industry is rapidly changing for the better. 2011 will open up even more avenues to promote and sell our books. Have a great holiday!

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  30. The photo was funny. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  31. I want a poster of the photo. Hilarious. Loved your words. My life has become so much richer this year with the new friends, sharpened skills, and welcome laughter I've been gifted with through the world of writing. Blog on!

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  32. ah, it's Thanksgiving again? I have to go hunt for my TOFUrkey :)

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  33. Love your list! I'm thankful for the people, like you mentioned above, but also the advanced computer programs that keep making my writing easier. Have a great Thanksgiving!

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  34. These are wonderful things to be thankful for, I couldn't agree more. I'm having a lovely time reading all the positive, thankful posts out there today!

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  35. Ooh, I love the writing gratitude list. It is so true that we are constantly evolving!! And the blogosphere is wonderful for these friendships, encouragement, and inspiration! Have an amazing Thanksgiving :)

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  36. I love the photo and the list. I'm a little more confident and much further along than I was in Feb. when I started my blog. I have all of you guys to thank!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  37. BWAHAHAHA...that is officially the most awesome Thanksgiving post pic EVAR!

    I'm so thankful to have such a sharing, supportive writer like you to rub virtual shoulders with. Thanks for all you do, Julie!

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  38. I am thankful for all the pitfalls my blogger friends helped me avoid these past 10 months.

    And thanks for liking my entry on Hannah's blog! Happy Holidays, Roland

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