Okay, so
maybe this is the wrong time of year to be self-centered, but I think that,
once in a while, we need to celebrate ourselves. Mind you, this is not easy for
me. I'm not a tooting my own horn kind of person. And, I have many, many things
in life to be grateful for that I had nothing to do with. I'm just very
blessed. But, some of my blessings ARE of my own making, so why not acknowledge
it? Are you with me? I want you do to the same, post in the comments some
things that you're grateful for, which YOU made happen. I'll start...
I'm grateful that...
1 - I didn't give up on my dream to be a writer.
That I worked hard and cultivated my craft and stuck with it, even when it
wasn't easy.
2 - I am a good friend. It has helped me to form
wonderful, lasting friendships that I treasure.
3 - I am a good mother, sister, daughter, and
ex-wife. :) Because of that, I have three wonderful children, a close
relationship with my family, and I get along with my ex, which had been a huge
benefit in raising our children.
4 - I overcame my fear of speaking in front of a
crowd, and it has allowed me to give presentations to writing groups that can
learn from my experience. The workshops I've given have been well-received (or
people are just very polite :)), and not only am I teaching others, I am
learning from them.
5 – I am thick-skinned, which enables me to be
amused by critical reviews, such as the one below for Haunting at Spook Light Inn: A World of Gothic - Oklahoma. (There ARE some compliments
scattered throughout, so not all bad. :))
By A. Savidgeon November 14, 2017
I
thought the love story/murder mystery aspect was kind of lightweight and not
fully developed. However, the spooky part of the story was fascinating. I
couldn’t stop reading, except to look it up on google maps and google. Very
interesting. The ghost story was pretty good with the final reveal at least not
run of the mill. I think with a little more experience, she’s going to be a good
author.
I had to share, only because of that last line, ‘with
a little more experience’ – Yikes! I hate to disappoint A. Savidgeon, but I’ve
been writing since I was 10, so experience isn’t going to help a damn bit, LOL.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
18 comments:
That's hilarious! I swear some of these reviewers just want to sound profound with their comments. I'm also thankful I didn't give up on writing despite hearing comments that it was a waste of time since I'd never make any money. Okay, I'm still not making much, but I do feel I'm making progress with my writing career.
I love your list, and I can think of a lot more thinga about you to be thankful for! :-) That review is too funny! I wish some of your thick-skinned-ness would rub off on me. I've decided to just not read them (except when I do). :-)
I enjoyed your post! I don't know if I could ever get past the public speaking part- unless it's with a small group.
Alicia, you make me laugh with that review! Love your thankful for me list. I am most thankful for putting others before myself several times over the years. I don't think I'd have my wonderful granddaughter if I hadn't. And my brother might still be in a horrendous marriage and not married to a wonderful woman now.
I agree with your entire list. And I'm thankful I know you. Happy Thanksgiving!
LOL, I know! I enjoy sharing some of the more interesting ones. :) I'm thankful you didn't give up, too, Jannine, because I certainly enjoy your writing!
Aww, thanks, Leah. But, I didn't see a brag from you about you. Want me to go? You are hard-working, smart, talented, kind and funny. And, I'm so glad to know you!
Maureen, I started out with small groups, and I haven't exactly spoken to thousands, but I've found I don't really mind the larger groups either.
Good for you, Brenda! I'm glad you can acknowledge your kind deeds and sacrifices.
Thank you, Barbara, the feeling is mutual. I want to hear a brag from you, too. Maybe about how giving you are? How dedicated and talented? Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for giving us a smile today, Alicia. We do have to laugh with some of our reviews. This is timely, because I just found out I put the wrong review on Goodreads for Jannine. Inadvertently I put a review of one of her Wilde books on another Wilde book. Now I have to figure out how change it. Heavy sigh!
Oh, dear. I do love the last line of that review. Perhaps "a little more experience" is all any of us need to make it big!
We who are lucky to have you as editor are also thankful for YOU! I guess one thing I made happen for myself was getting my master's degree.I had taught for 15 years, had 3 children, was department chair at my middle school and in the midst of publishing my first book. Wow! I did not have 2 minutes to rub together, but I finished the degree and enjoyed the boost in salary (and "prestige" or as much prestige as a teacher ever gets). Nice post and happy Thanksgiving.
Nice list of items to be thankful for. I agree, with some reviews you just have to laugh.
I'm thankful I took my 25 years of secretarial experience and working with the English language and utilized it both in my own writing and to develop my freelance editing business. I have "met" some wonderful people as a result.
That is one passive/aggressive review. Not to mention hilarious. At least the reviewer indicated you had potential. LOL! I’m another one who is so grateful I never gave up on my writing. I did enjoy your list. Similar to one I would write about myself. Especially the sister, daughter, mother part. Although the public speaking would stop me in my tracks. That’s one I may never overcome. Thanks for sharing. Have a great Thanksgiving.
That review made me smile. A little more experience, hey?
Your list is great. Sometimes we need to sit back and take stock of ourselves. It really helps to read that list when we down in the dumps. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Wonderful post, Alicia!
You are so right, we DO need to acknowledge and appreciate ourselves!
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT
Hi Rolynn. Glad I could make you laugh. Oh shoot! I'm sure you can just cancel it and resubmit. I would copy first so you don't have to rewrite, LOL. (I'm sure you've thought of that...)
True, Alison. If so, I guess there's hope. :)
Susan, aw, that's sweet. I'm lucky to have you as an author! Wow, that's impressive. Definitely brag worthy. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Hi Linda...yes, that's great! It's wonderful how our choices can open up so many doors and lead us to meet so many wonderful people. Doing what you did takes hard work and intelligence, of which you have plenty. Thanks for stopping by!
Margo - LOL, yes, potential is something to be proud of, right? Yes, I thought it was pretty funny. :) I once thought the same about public speaking, now it's no big deal, and I actually enjoy it.
Thanks, Diane. Yes, I agree. We need to celebrate ourselves once in a while. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Great list, and I had to laugh at that review, too...more experience? Maybe after 100 more books you'll be up to her high standards!
Happy Thanksgiving, Diana
Not only writing since you were ten, but you're also a professional editor who helps improve other authors' writing. That review was a hoot! You are much better at taking the bad ones with a laugh than I am. Happy Thanksgiving.
Right, Diana? Fingers crossed, only 75 more to go... :) Thanks for stopping by and Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Hi Diane, aww, thanks for the kind words. Ha, I really don't mind the bad ones. If I only received good reviews, I'd be a bit suspicious. :D Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
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