Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates! Today is the perfect time to share what we’re grateful for…even if you aren’t celebrating Thanksgiving.
I’m incredibly grateful for the supportive writing community, my agent, everyone associated with Writers Helping Writers (Angela, Becca, our Resident Writing Coaches…and all of you)! I’m also thankful for my family, rescue dog, friends, good health, and much more.
Here’s what Becca and Angela are grateful for.
Becca Puglisi: As my children grow up and I can see a new stage in life moving steadily closer, I become more and more thankful for my family. I’m also incredibly grateful to God for, well, everything, but specifically for bringing Angela and me together. In my early years, I never envisioned this second career and couldn’t have forecast our success, and so much of it is because of our partnership. Honorable mentions in the gratitude department go to lifelong friends, good books, cookies, Starbucks’ pink drinks, cooler weather, Christmas trees, 80s music, and every single person who has purchased one of our books or told their writer friends about it.
Angela Ackerman: My gratitude goes toward the writing community: a vast wonderful ecosystem of talented individuals that I get to work with, help, and learn from! I feel so blessed to do what I do, and am honored by the trust people place in me, and their constant encouragement and support. Writers are the best!
Here’s what several of our Resident Writing Coaches are grateful for.
Lucy V. Hay: I’m British, so we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving BUT I always think it’s important to practice gratitude throughout the year, so why not now? I find myself truly grateful for the abundance of love and support from my family and friends. The beauty of nature and its ability to bring calm and inspiration to my soul fills me with gratitude. As a cancer survivor, I also express sincere thankfulness for good health, as it enables me to embrace life to the fullest and pursue my passions.
Lisa Poisso: I’m grateful for writers who trust me to lead them into the liminal spaces behind and between their pages. Midwifing a story is truly a privilege and an honor—thank you!
Suzy Vadori: I am eternally grateful for all the Inspired Writers that share their writing journeys with me, and for experiencing their joy when they get their stories out into the world. Readers need every writer’s stories, and in the coming year, I’m recommitting to helping as many writers as possible get their messages into the hands of readers.
Sue Coletta: I’m thankful for my amazing readers who never fail to overwhelm me with their heartfelt letters of gratitude for writing books that touched their lives. Many bring me to tears. I’m so blessed. I am also thankful for the countless writer friends, who inspire me daily, and for my family who (almost) never complains about my long hours spent behind the keyboard.
September C. Fawkes: I’m thankful for health, freedom, creativity, and loved ones. I’m grateful for the two little dogs that give me puppy kisses every day, the autumn leaves I get to crunch on the walking trail by the river, and that feeling you get when you’ve just finished writing the perfect scene . . . Well, perfect until your editor looks at it. 😉
Michelle Barker: I suffered a mild concussion this summer that turned into a prolonged ordeal until a close friend pressed Sarah Polley’s memoir, Run Towards the Danger, into my hands and told me to read the last chapter. Books can be life-changing—this one was. I’m thankful for that, and for being completely better.
Colleen M. Story: My family is healthy and well, as am I, and that’s huge. I’m grateful for my writing coaching clients, the network of writers who support Writing and Wellness, and everyone at Writers Helping Writers for their amazing dedication to the writing community. Outside of the writing world, I’m grateful to my music students and colleagues, my dog Storm and cat Rikki, and for being able to live in and enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Here’s wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday. 🙂
What are you grateful for?
We often take a lot for granted. Think of good things in your life (both large and small) and celebrate them. You can share them with us below, jot them in a journal or put them on sticky notes by your writing place.
This is the start of the holiday season…and we hope it will be a wonderful one for you. 🙂
Pssst: I’m also grateful for amazing Black Friday sales! Here’s a post full of great writing related discounts…including 40% off One Stop for Writers.
Mindy loves giving back to the writing community. She’s a founding member and Administrator on the From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors blog, an SCBWI volunteer, and host of the PBParty chats, New Draft Challenge & Critique Train, and annual contest. She writes middle grade novels and picture books filled with humor, heart, and hope and is represented by Joyce Sweeney.
ANGELA ACKERMAN says
Wishing all my US friends a Happy Thanksgiving. And gratitude again to every writer who visits us here. I feel blessed to know you! <3