The WITS Team Shares Writerly Thanks
Today at Writers In The Storm we’re giving thanks for the “writerly” things that help us put words on the page. We're also opening the door for our readers! Share your gratitude for things large and small down in the comments.
Fae Rowen
I am grateful for learning how to effectively edit my writing—to fix pacing, character arcs, plot, and let the theme (which I didn't even know was there!) shine through. I highly recommend Michael Hauge's Writing Screenplays That Sell and Sol Stein's Stein on Writing if you want your revisions to work in ways you never dreamed possible. I'm thankful that I'm working on a new book, after nine editorial passes of three completed books during the past eighteen months! To my personal cheerleader, Laura Drake, and Jenny Hansen, who sends me quick notes of awesomeness, thank you. And I'm so grateful to have an Immersion Class with Margie Lawson to look forward to, as well as RWA National in Denver this summer.
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Jenny Hansen
I am thankful for great writing instructors, particularly those at the 2017 Cruising Writers and Margie Lawson. I've been struggling with a novel I love, and just couldn't get right, and then I met with Lisa Cron (Wired for Story) at Cruising Writers. She listened to me and said,"This whole [Storyline B]? That's good, but that's not your story. This relationship with your two sisters? THAT'S your story." And then she guided me to the Origin Story and now my entire book is rolling out before me like a movie and it's so much easier! I read Story Genius, but it took that Q&A for me to be able to actually see how to apply the genius to all my stories. That is the beauty of meeting with a great teacher. How would I edit without Margie Lawson's EDITS? Or explore emotional wounds properly without Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi's Emotional Wound Thesaurus. Seriously, y'all, go sign up for some of this magic.
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I’m thankful for the community of writers I’ve found. Because quite frankly, a few times this year, I’ve wanted to just throw in the towel and walk away. Yet my fellow writers – no, friends – kept me going. They comforted me, encouraged me, inspired me, and kept me accountable. They reminded me why I want to be a writer and that I really can write a great story. At conferences, retreats, and writing cruises, we learned, we laughed, we bitched about this business (let’s be honest), we wrote, and we even sang. Yeah, this is my tribe. And I feel incredibly blessed to have met some of the best people I know through the experience of writing. If we’re friends, know that I’m truly thankful for you.
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What Julie said!
But since I need more than that - I'm thankful for this blog, and proud of the four strong amazing women who began it. It's given me wisdom, made me think, and helped me remember that, though it seems we're alone on this crazy path, we're not. All we need do is reach out . . . many hands are there.
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What are you grateful for today? (You aren’t limited to one thing.) Is there a particular holiday custom you look forward to all year? What has been your biggest writing "surprise" this year?
Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends!
Love and peace to you all this Holiday Season!
with tremendous gratitude from Writers In The Storm…
18 comments on “The WITS Team Shares Writerly Thanks”
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Grateful to be at the place with my writing where my agent is excited about it and working hard to find me a book (or possibly movie) deal and so grateful to have a wonderful place to write (I'm 2000 feet up on the side of a hill with spectacular views). And especially for my wife, Karen, who sort of understands the unbridled passion I have for storytelling.
Life is good, isn't it, Mike?
Wow! That's many great things to be thankful for, Mike. Especially the great spouse. That is personal gold. 🙂
congrats Mike - sounds like you're almost there!
Thanks. Been a long time getting this far. It's a trilogy that is historical fiction and there
is a major editor looking and a couple of movie people. Fingers crossed but there
is a two month window so slow.
Wow, this all sounds great! Congrats.
I'm thankful for the basics: I woke up this morning. In a house. With running water. And food. Beyond that, I'm grateful to live in a country of such abundance. We may not always use our resources well, but our quality of life is incredible. Travel the world and see for yourself. I've been doing that. And home is always best. On the literary front, I'm thankful for the welcome mat that's always out among writers. RWA, WITS and several writer groups I belong to are populated by the most generous, hand-holding, push-on-the-back people. For these things--and so much more--I share these thoughts with a humble and thankful heart.
I love that you mentioned the basics, because too often we take the small things for granted. And they are such blessings. You really recognize that when you go through a natural disaster and lose those things (this applies to too many writers this past year). Thanks for sharing your thankful thoughts!
We are indeed fortunate, Chris. Every time I put my passport away, I know how lucky I am.
So, so thankful for the house and the utilities and the ability for access to cold meds that let me get out of bed and go shop yesterday. And to the three stores (yes, it takes 3-4 when you are a celiac) where I got all our food to feed 12 tomorrow. Am I moaning because I'm sick? Yes. Yes, I am. But am I so thankful that I can do and be and afford these things? Ohmygod, YES, I am.
Feel better soon Jenny!
I'm grateful for the time to write. My day job is such that I have time to 'sit my butt in the chair.' I'm also grateful for the readers, because without them, I'd be writing for one - me. Since this is something I love doing, being able to share helps.
C Wolffe
How marvelous to have that time and a great readership! Definitely two items to be thankful for. Happy holidays!
Grateful for the readers--amen, cwolffe!
That's fantastic...cuz "butt in chair" is sometimes the hardest part. 🙂
Thanks for the friendship and all of the incredibly helpful information that y'all post!
Thank you!
Believe me, Debbie, we should be thanking YOU. 🙂