whew! I'm really grateful!
I planned to write a gratitude post each week this month, but last week got away from me!
A Holiday Habit came out last week and even though the launch party isn't until Nov. 21, I posted and promoted it AND I completed a decent draft of A Killing in Yellowstone for my writing group to critique by Friday afternoon. On top of all this, I cleaned the garage, attended G's football game, and added extra tutoring to my schedule. Today feels like reaching the surface after diving deep underwater. At last I'm refilling my lungs and not kicking for dear life! It's so weird to wake up and not have to write for a spell. I mean, of course I'll be writing, but various posts, book reviews, articles, and show notes for My Bookcase Slays. Short pieces I can knock off inside of an afternoon, nothing that takes months to accomplish. I feel so...light? Surreal? Kind of like I'm on vacation, really.
With so much behind me today, it's a good time to take stock of what I'm thankful for. Plus, it's November, THANKSGIVING TIME, BABY!
I'll begin with gratitude for my review team and other early readers who've already taken time to drop reviews of A Holiday Habit in various places like GoodReads, BookBub, and Amazon. More reviews = better visibility and more readers, so they're VERY important for writers! I'm thankful to hear people are enjoying the book and I'm very grateful they're sparing a few minutes to post about it. One of the most rewarding parts about writing anything is hearing how people receive it, whether they liked the story and what they liked about it. I'm also thankful to readers who buy extra books to give to other readers and ask their local libraries and booksellers to stock it on their shelves.
Saturday was Senior Day for G's college football team. I'm proud of how hard he's worked over the last four years. His intense commitment to doing his best and helping his team however possible impressed me. I'm thankful he had the opportunity to keep playing a sport he loves so much for an extra four years, not everyone gets that chance. I'm thankful he stayed healthy (mostly) and is hanging up his pads and cleats on his own terms, because he's done, not because he got cut or injured or used up his years of eligibility. It's exciting to see him moving on to his next chapter, yet also deeply satisfying to see the relationships he's made. Football provided him with good friends, awesome mentors, a home base at college, a sense of purpose and a space to learn communication and leadership skills. Walking out of the tunnel onto the field with him before his game was a cool way to close out his career, as was spending time getting to know his teammates and their parents over the years. His final game this coming weekend will be bittersweet in some ways, as endings always are, but I can honestly say more sweet than bitter!
Among the big events of this past year, my MIL moved from her house to an apartment. As anybody aging or who has loved ones aging out of their homes knows, this decision isn't always easy or simple. I'm incredibly thankful she's thriving in a safe place! She already made new friends, returned to some activities she's missed, got stronger with the care she needs, and got settled before other familily members faced health crisises. Great timing, huge relief all around!
Finally, it goes without saying that I'm so grateful for some writing-related stuff, too!
*I had time to write the first book of a new series!
*my publisher wanted me to write another series for them!
*strong internet
*no major technological issues
*peace + quiet
*a good attention span
*I kept a map of Yellowstone National Park from our last visit, and hung it on my bulletin board for easy reference
*creative ideas
*Marni + Lauren giving me encouragement and feedback
*D listening to my ideas, providing a sounding board, + reading an early draft
*the short story prompt that drew me into writing mysteries set in Yellowstone
*The team at Tule Publishing believing in my stories enough to work on them with me and publish them
Spill it, reader! What's giving you an attitude of gratitude today?
I’m incredibly thankful for the community of writers in my life, from the US to the UK.
Today I met a British author in person after years of us reviewing each other’s books. Last week I was able to be present at the launch of another Brtits 12th novel in a series I admire. Soon I’ll be reading the new manuscripts of my writing colleagues, Lauren Small, and dear Melissa. It’s a privilege to read and critique these drafts and watch how the revision process brings those books to a store near you!