A Writerly Thanksgiving

Here’s wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving, even if you live somewhere where you won’t be eating mass quantities or celebrating the mythology of pilgrims and Native Americans feasting together in peace and harmony.

I’m grateful for quite a few writerly things this year, myself. I’m thankful for the wonderful friends and critique partners that comprise our writing group, WritingYA. I’m thankful for the fantastic community of kidlit bloggers, many of whom have become good friends over the years, and who make me feel like I’m not alone or working in a void when I’m sitting at my computer all day. I’m thankful for my wonderful publisher Flux, my superhero editor Brian Farrey, and everyone else there who made my first novel publication such an exciting and enjoyable experience this year. I’m thankful for the support of other authors out there whom I’ve had the privilege of getting to know a bit better this year, and I’m thankful for the conferences and other circumstances that brought us together. I’m thankful for everyone who has read my book, and for everyone who took the time to comment on it or review it or send me words of kindness and support.

Since this is about writing and all, it shouldn’t be surprising that there are a few words people have said that I’m especially grateful for. I’m thankful for the reader at San Francisco’s Balboa High School who said “thank you for writing this book.” I hold those words close when I’m feeling discouraged and uncertain. I’m thankful for the words of my onetime figure drawing professor, Dewey Crumpler, who said “Do not be afraid to step into the void.” I try to remember that when fear is keeping me from my work. And I’m thankful for the words of my co-bloggers, Tanita and CitySmartGirl, both on and off the blog.

Enough gushing. Eat, drink, and be merry! And feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you’re thankful for this year.