Giving Thanks—for Writing

November 26, 2010 / Uncategorized / 14 COMMENTS


Pierre de Nolhac --1859-1936--conservateur du musée de VersaillesOn this day after Thanksgiving, I thought I’d take a minute to celebrate some of the facets of writing that I’m really thankful for.  Lots of times my writing challenges get center stage as I wrangle with the craft side of writing…or I work through the promotional side of it all.

So here, in now particular order are some of the things I love about writing:

The moment a character comes to life

When the beginning or end of the book falls into place

Feeling completely comfortable with the protagonist and knowing what she’d do in any situation

When the perfect chapter break happens

Writing on a rainy day

Writing outside on a pretty day

Seeing the book’s cover for the first time

Author copies

Getting good feedback

Getting struck by a great idea and scrambling for paper

The support of the writing community

What are some of the things you love about writing?  What keeps you going through writing frustrations and challenges?

  1. Elizabeth – Yes, yes, yes!!! There are so many things to be thankful for and to love about writing. I really like your list. I’d like to add…. the moment another writer’s idea sparks your own imagination and you go flying back to your messed-up WIP with the perfect idea for fixing it.

  2. What a great post! All too often we overlook writing as something to be thankful for. Though all your points are great I especially love the moment a character comes to life.

  3. I think your list matches mine.

    I am thankful for the support of DH, and how he overlooks the dust that surrounds him. ;0

  4. That list is right on!

    I love scrambling for paper to write down a new idea, and I always feel cozy when it’s raining outside and I get to write.

  5. When I get feedback and struggle to understand it until the brick wall collapses and I see everything the person said and I start figuring out ways to fix it.

  6. I’m thankful that I get better because the better I get as a writer the more fun it is. Just like skiing or making pies.

  7. Positive feedback from complete strangers. And any sale whatsoever of short fiction. (Those are seriously addictive.) :)

  8. I am thankful for the things you mentioned, but also most thankful for the feedback I get from readers. I still treasure fan letters I received many moons ago when I was a columnist for a Dallas paper. To know my words touched somebody in a positive way was amazing.

  9. Thanks so much, y’all! And you’ve got some great aspects of writing to be thankful for, too. :) They’re definitely going onto my list.

  10. I think I’m most thankful for the ability to create something new and different, something out of my own experience and imagination. Work in the real world was never this satisfying.

  11. More than anything else, I am thankful that I can lead the life I want to lead, and do whatever I am most passionate about.

    And thank you Elizabeth for your support, guidance, and for Lulu

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