Welcome Insecure Writers! Big thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and his crew for giving us this awesome group hug called Insecure Writers Support Group. Click here to sign up.
Keeping it short this month. When things get crazy, I like to take a moment and focus on what I'm grateful for.
Besides family and good health, which I'm thankful for every day, I'm grateful for:
- Opportunities. I love that we're writers in this day and age. Opportunities and choices abound.
- Skill. My writing abilities have come a loooong way, and they still have a looooong way to go. But I'm so thankful for writing skills.
- Sales. When even one person buys one of my books, I'm so thankful. I'd write them for free, without ever receiving payment, so I'm extra grateful when someone puts faith in me.
- Mentors. I'm thankful for brave writers who try new things and tell others about it.
- Gratitude. Sounds weird to be grateful for gratitude, but I am. It's easy to dwell on all you don't have, but I like to dwell on what I do.
How about you, fellow writers? What are you grateful for today? Please share!
Amen!
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful when people read and enjoy my books. I never expected sales - never expected to get published in the first place - so it's all bonus.
Alex, isn't that the craziest thing? And not only a few people buy your books...lots of people buy them. Proof that the big guy in charge has plans for us that we can't even predict.
DeleteWonderful, positive post. I'm grateful for those supporting people in my life that helps encourage me to keep going.
ReplyDeleteMiranda, I'm so glad you have supportive people in your life. Just knowing that others believe in us makes all the difference in the world.
DeleteLove your positive attitude. I'm grateful for this amazing writing community and all the incredible talent!
ReplyDeleteSheri, I'm also thankful that you've set up such a supportive community over at WS4U. It's folks like you and Alex who bring this wonderful community together.
DeleteI'm grateful for my writing group and for every little step I've taken in the writing life. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYES! Michelle, you are so wise to be thankful for each step taken in the writing life. It's a great feeling when we take an honest look at all that we've accomplished. Even small milestones are milestones!
DeleteI love your post and all the positive thoughts it's spreading around today for IWSG. I'm grateful for being able to now write full time.
ReplyDeleteSusan, that is MAJOR! Congratulations on being able to write full time. That's wonderful.
DeleteThose are great things to be grateful for. I find your attitude so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteMurees, thanks so much! I'm so glad you stopped by. Sometimes I need to force myself to remember what I'm thankful for, but it sure feels good.
DeleteI'm grateful for people like you with wonderful attitudes about life!
ReplyDeleteTerri, you are so kind. I'm thankful to have connected with writers like you...beyond blogging and writing :)
DeleteYes, so important to remember to be grateful. I'm grateful that my daughter has handled everything we've faced this year so well.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I know you've gone through a lot this year. It's wonderful that you and your daughter have each other to lean on.
DeleteKaren, we all need a reminder sometimes. This group is so amazing!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, I'd be lost without my mentors. They are like my super heroes when it comes to keeping me inspired!
ReplyDeleteElsieI
Elsie, I know, right? There are so many things I've learned from experienced writers who have the guts to try new things.
DeleteWonderful post! I agree with your thoughts on skill--I've gotten so much better since I began writing, but still have a lot to learn.
ReplyDeleteSarah, it's funny...I recently opened a manuscript I hadn't opened in a long time. Sheesh. It was a great reminder of how much I've learned since I'd written it. But yes, I also have a loooong way to go.
DeleteI'm thankful for all the people who've helped me on my writing career. Crit partners, bloggers who give out good writing advice, and all the writing friends I've made.
ReplyDeleteKen, that is an excellent add to the thankful list. We learn from every writer we connect with.
DeleteHow wonderful to share a list of things you are thankful for. Definitely helps make things more sane when life feels out of control. :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie, so true. It's nice to sometimes pause...take a deep breath...and be thankful.
DeleteThis is an amazing time to be writing, and I'm really pleased to be a part of it.
ReplyDeleteLee, you bring light and sunshine to the writing community. I'm also glad you're a part of it!
DeleteI am grateful for good health, a loving family, and a warm circle of friends. Thanks for reminding us to take a moment to reflect on our blessings.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, good health and a loving family...without that, the rest seems trivial.
DeleteThis is a wonderful post, a reminder that we should embrace an attitude of gratitude!
ReplyDelete... and I'm so glad that I'm a writer in this day and age... it's the 'perk' for being a 'late bloomer'...
Happy IWSG Day!
Writer In Transit
Michelle, hooray for late bloomers! That's me too. I can't imagine doing this when I was 20. The publishing climate right now is perfect for so many writers.
DeleteI loved that you turned this post around and focused on the positives instead of the insecurities. I need to do that more.
ReplyDeleteRosalyn, don't get me wrong...there are days when it takes real work to be thankful. But if we dig deep, there's always something to be thankful for.
DeleteIn addition to family, friends and good health, I'm grateful that I'm a writer. That I'm able to take what I think and cohesively apply it through this wonderful medium of words. I don't know how I would deal with the world without that talent. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. The ability to put what we're thinking and feeling in to words is such a great gift. Others do it through song, or through film, or through dance. For us, it's words.
DeleteI read something recently...that the best way to feel happy is to be grateful. This post is an example of that and I'm so glad to have read it.
ReplyDeleteLiza, I firmly believe this. Like I've told my sons, there are a lot of miserable rich people, or miserable successful people. And yet there are people who are at peace with so much less, or at peace with nothing but a pretty view and a small family. We control our happiness :)
DeleteYes!! Agreed on all fronts! Also very grateful that I've been lucky to find crit buddies who are honest, kind and talented!!
ReplyDeleteKind and talented critique buddies...the best kind!
DeleteLove all your points. So true. I recently read a review of one of my short stories where the reviewer said she was motivated to be more environmentally conscious because of the message in my story. It really touched me. That was worth more than any royalty.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, that is SO cool! How wonderful that your story had such an impact on a reader.
DeleteI strive to live in an attitude of gratitude. These days in particular, I am VERY grateful for my ordinary world. Nice post and wonderful perspective.
ReplyDeleteJoanna, it's great that you have an attitude of gratitude. It sure makes life better!
DeleteNice gratitude list. I read your book this past week and truly enjoyed it! I'll have to read your other book soon.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are sooooo kind! Thanks so much for the support <3
DeleteSorry I'm a day late, Julie. Life got in the way of my visiting IWSG posts yesterday. I really enjoy reading about what people are grateful for. The top of my gratitude list every day is how grateful I am to have my wonderful husband, my best friend, the love of my life. Have a good evening!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue, that is indeed something to be grateful for. It puts everything in perspective, yes?
DeleteBeautiful post! I love the idea of being grateful for gratitude :)
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
Sarah, thanks so much! Heck, while we're being thankful, we might as well be thankful for gratitude! Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteHi Julie! Nice to "meet" you through the IWSG! Wonderful post about gratitude. I also am thankful for the ability to write. It gives me an outlet and keeps me sane as I chase after my kids and clean up their messes. It gives me the opportunity to immerse myself in a world I've created. Isn't writing wonderful? :)
ReplyDeleteKristin, you're so right! It's nice to get lost once in a while, and then come back to those wonderful kids :)
DeleteYes---perfect, Julie! This is one of the many reasons I love you--you always have the right perspective and attitude. It really is something to be admired. I just love your posts. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks, Morgan. Kindred spirits, right?
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