What are you thankful for?

My-Immortal · Nov 3, 2005

Lately, many of the threads have become a bit hostile. People talking about what they dislike - what is literary and what isn't - liking or hating genre fiction - non-fiction vs fiction - plotting vs non-plotting etc....

Without (hopefully) stirring up another hornet's nest, can we all (politely?) list a few things (in the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday) in the (I won't say 'literary world') writing world that we are thankful for? Certain writers and their works? Certain publishing houses? People we've been inspired by...people that have aided us along the way in our writing careers?

I would like to thank my wife for allowing me the time and encouragement to follow my dream and write. I am thankful for those that have read and commented on my WIPs, and also to those of you that have answered questions in my posts here.

There are other things I'm thankful for as well, but I'll stop the post here and see what some of you have to be thankful for.

Take care all...

scarletpeaches · Nov 3, 2005

I am thankful for my wit, charm, good looks, heart-rending writing talent, sense of humour, staggering IQ, emotional intelligence, empathy, astounding oratorial abilities, slender figure, sparkling eyes...

...oh, and my modesty, which is unusual for someone as wonderful as me.

SeanDSchaffer · Nov 3, 2005

What I'm thankful for in the Writing World

Sure, I'd be happy to talk about what I'm thankful for in the writing world.

I'm thankful for writers who give of their precious time and energy to help other writers become better at their craft and to improve their attitudes toward writing.

I'm also thankful for those writers who have patience enough to handle the so-called trolls and shills with the tact and decency due every writer; and especially those who bring out the best in those said people, allowing them to become examples of excellence in their field.

Finally, I'm thankful for the friends I've made since March of 2005 on this board and others, who treat me with the same respect as they would anyone else. This simple, seemingly insignificant thing has brought me closer to the people of my field and given me a love for my craft which I have never, up to this point in time, had the joy of experiencing.

MarkPettus · Nov 3, 2005

I'm thankful Sean let me know I wasn't alone in my feelings.

I'm thankful I have discovered the talent I was given. I didn't create it, so I take little credit for it, but it has made me whole, and I'm glad.

katiemac · Nov 3, 2005

Well, I'm pretty damn thankful to have Absolutewrite. (Hi, Jenna! :hi:

) I've been here for almost two years and I've learned pretty much everything I need to know about the publishing business. And if I still have questions, I know where to go...

LightShadow · Nov 3, 2005

I'm thankful to God for my talent, my wife for the support, my agent for the guidance, and my friends and family for making sure that I have to put out at least a couple hundred signed copies when the thing gets published. Oh, hell, forget that, buy it, then I'll sign it!

HConn · Nov 3, 2005

I'm thankful that the prescription on my wife's glasses were so out of date when she met me.

AdamH · Nov 3, 2005

I'm thankful for AW and everyone here who takes the time to support other people who enjoy this craft. I'm thankful that writing doesn't have to be a "lonely" craft and for this site to bring all of us together in one place to share our frustrations and successes. I'm thankful for the internet, otherwise I wouldn't have met my wife, wouldn't have come in contact with my best friend of 13 years ago, and would of lost contact with countless others when distance would've otherwise torn us apart.

I'm thankful for sight, and hearing, and speech, and the ability to express myself any way I feel fit. I'm thankful that I can be stupid silly sometimes and serious other times and it doesn't matter. I'm thankful for monkeys jus' cuz. I'm thankful that both my parents are still alive, and that my sister is doing ok.
I'm thankful for a lot of things. Too many to mention.

egem · Nov 3, 2005

My-Immortal said:
Without (hopefully) stirring up another hornet's nest, can we all (politely?) list a few things (in the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday) in the (I won't say 'literary world') writing world that we are thankful for? Certain writers and their works? Certain publishing houses? People we've been inspired by...people that have aided us along the way in our writing careers?

QUOTE]

I am happy for the literary writings of...

I'm kidding. I'm happy having a wonderful beautiful amazing wife (that is at work and not in the room), two great boys and writing, poetry, and people to talk to about writing, also teaching believe it or not. Nice post My-Immortal.

kelker11 · Nov 3, 2005

Ooh, I like this idea. :Clap:

I'm thankful to God, Who gave me the desire, ability, and inclination to write--and may I always use that ability to honor Him.

Next, I'd like to give my thanks and appreciation to all the talented folks on this site. Mostly I'm a lurker here, but I've gained so much insight into how I can make my writing stronger. The advice and opinions really help!

My family and friends, who, I'm sure, grow tired of hearing about plotlines and character creations.

And last, but not least, I'd like to thank HP and Microsoft, who saved me untold episodes of writers' cramp. I sure don't miss the 'good ole days' when I had to write everything by hand!

My-Immortal · Nov 3, 2005

Wow! I didn't know what to expect when I started this thread, but all of you have really put a smile on my face. I do enjoy spirited debates, but sometimes it is very nice to just hear the 'good stuff', to hear the softer side of people, to remember that we are all in the same boat (a really, really large boat) and regardless of our talents, our successes (or failures), the differences we may all have - that we also have many things in common. Writing can be a 'lonely' endeavor and it is good to know that a person can come here and not be 'alone'.

The weather was unusually warm here (midwest) today and I was able to take my almost two year old son out for a walk. When we got back home, he wanted to walk around the house before going inside. Our back yard is filled with trees and he started giggling when he realized that the leaves made noise when he stepped on them. Then, he learned that he could kick the leaves and his giggling increased to the point that he fell over. He lay on the ground laughing and I of course couldn't help but laugh with him. I will never forget that - and I'm thankful for being able to share that time with him.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful posts - and please, continue to post your thoughts.

paprikapink · Nov 3, 2005

AW is the very first thing that comes to mind. What a blessing you all are! I'd be very lonely without you.

"Stories of Strength" is the second. I have high expectations for the wild success of that book and I am so thrilled and honored that I got to contribute. It will be so great to have participated in something that could actually help the folks in the Gulf areas affected by this hurricane season, some of whom are fellow AWers!

I'm grateful for The New Yorker magazine. Starting up my subscription again after a nearly 20-year lapse is one of the things that got me back into writing. It brings me a certain inner peace to know that our culture can support an enduring, intelligent icon. It's not shallow, it's not easy, and it's not struggling.

I'm deeply, deeply grateful for my backspace key.

My-Immortal · Nov 3, 2005

paprikapink said:
I'm deeply, deeply grateful for my backspace key.

When I read this I had an image of a person standing up at an awards show - some sort of writing awards show - like the oscars or emmys or whatever - and during their acceptance speech hearing them end with this...

pepperlandgirl · Nov 3, 2005

I'm thankful my husband believes in my talents, abilities, and future more than I do. He fully supported my decision to take a year off to write, and he's never, ever indicated that it was the wrong decision--even when I feel like crap because I'm not winning any bread, so to speak.

Without his support and encouragement, my life would be a much bleaker, much different place.

Tiaga · Nov 4, 2005

Silencers

Euan H. · Nov 4, 2005

Me. Oh, and beer, of course.

Nicholas S.H.J.M Woodhouse · Nov 4, 2005

i am happy for the letter e.

SJB · Nov 4, 2005

I'm grateful for the fact that I'm twenty and have a long life ahead of me in which to write and read (may it please God). I'm also grateful for having had a not entirely happy past, so that I at least have something to write about while I'm waiting for age and wisdom to descend upon me (watch, the former will arrive as planned but the latter will stand me up).

I'm also grateful for AW. Thanks so, so, so much, Jenna. Like little Mac I've been reading this forum for about two years (although unlike her I'm not a known and well-loved poster- being a lurking sort by nature) and have learned so much. And I'm grateful to all the people who post and keep me entertained.

Mostly, I'm grateful to the person (sorry, I'm not sure if you're a sheila or a bloke) who started this thread and forced me to spend a few minutes thinking positive thoughts.

But now, back to angst. Where did I put that Wally Lamb novel?

aruna · Nov 4, 2005

Well, I try to be thankful for everything - the "bad" - because it helps me grow - as well as the "good".

Celia Cyanide · Nov 4, 2005

I'm thankful to have friends and family who support me, and say that it doesn't matter if I get published or not. I'm thankful to have so many other interests and things that keep me entertained, no matter what.

My-Immortal · Nov 4, 2005

SJB said:
I'm grateful for the fact that I'm twenty and have a long life ahead of me in which to write and read (may it please God). I'm also grateful for having had a not entirely happy past, so that I at least have something to write about while I'm waiting for age and wisdom to descend upon me (watch, the former will arrive as planned but the latter will stand me up).

I'm also grateful for AW. Thanks so, so, so much, Jenna. Like little Mac I've been reading this forum for about two years (although unlike her I'm not a known and well-loved poster- being a lurking sort by nature) and have learned so much. And I'm grateful to all the people who post and keep me entertained.

Mostly, I'm grateful to the person (sorry, I'm not sure if you're a sheila or a bloke) who started this thread and forced me to spend a few minutes thinking positive thoughts.

But now, back to angst. Where did I put that Wally Lamb novel?

LOL - It's early (or rather, I didn't sleep much) and it took me a second time reading this to understand - I'm a bloke.

I think a lot of angst goes into writing (nobody wants to read a story where only good things happens all the time - there's no conflict there) so I think it is important from time to time to ponder the good in life and to remember what we are thankful for. Thank you for the kind words and I hope more lurkers poke their heads out and mention the things they are thankful for...

take care all

reph · Nov 4, 2005

I'm thankful that there were so many books around the house when I was little.

Lyra Jean · Nov 4, 2005

I'm thankful for my family's and my friends' support without I would not be able to write at all becuase I am such a procrastinator. I'm especially thankful to my mom who tries to answer all my questions concerning whatever I am working on at the time. If she doesn't know she looks up the answer. Thanks Mom, you know my first four novels are going to be dedicated to you.

I'm thankful for my boyfriend who helps me stay focused on God and the important things in life. Without him I don't know what I would do.

I'm thankful to God without him I would burn in hell for all eternity because I deserve it.

I'm thankful to Ray Bradbury and my Dad without them I would not be writing science fiction. My favorite genre. My dad named me after a princess from outer space and raised me on sci-fi and horror. Thanks Dad for your twisted mind.

henriette · Nov 4, 2005

i am thankful that i don't believe in god. the idea of giving credit to an old dude up in the sky for my personality or successes or thoughts or emotions creeps me right out. (sorry, just being honest)

i am thankful that i am not living under george w. bush's tyrannical government, or under any other evil dictator on this earth.

i am thankful that my country is not at war for ficticious reasons, and that i am free.

i am thankful that my gay and lesbian friends have the right to marry whom they choose in my city. love is love!

i am thankful my mother encouraged me to read since i was three.

i am thankful my husband is so understanding of my mania for reading and writing, even though reading an entire book in a weekend is his idea of hell.

i am thankful i had the chance to travel europe and see old and beautiful places.

i am thankful for used and specialty bookstores.

i am thankful for coffee, cigarettes, a good glass of wine, a nice fat joint or a luscious italian meal.

paprikapink · Nov 4, 2005

Can I go again? I have been going around today thinking, "oh, and I'm grateful for that too! and that too!"

Like,

- my rep points -- thank you everyone who's ever given me one. I'm wunna those pathetically-overly-dependent-on-praise people.
- that there happened to be a waldorf school in town and we tried it -- it's not all sunshine and lollipops, but i am *daily* grateful that my kids go there.
- netflix.
- tv serieses (what is the plural of series?) on dvd.
- this funky little laptop.

What are you thankful for?

Mr. Invisible

SeanDSchaffer

Writer and Editor

Five by Five

defender of the blahs!

Whore for genre

Pumped Up Kicks

egem

Mr. Invisible

Bored fanatic

Mr. Invisible

American Aquarium Drinker

Watching

Unspeakable

swooping after you

Lhude sing cuccu!

On a wing and a prayer

Joker Groupie

Mr. Invisible

Fig of authority

Two years old now.

Bored fanatic