It’s Thanksgiving season here in America. As cliche as it may sound, one of my favorite things we do at our Thanksgiving table is share something from the last year that we’re thankful for. (I especially love hearing what my kids say. My older two understand the spirit of the conversation and share something meaningful. My seven-year-old is more likely to say he’s thankful for his new armor in Minecraft.)
If you’re like me, you tend to spend a lot of time thinking about what you would like to have happen with your writing. I’d like to be published, I’d like to finish my manuscript, I’d like to be able to write descriptions like Maggie Stiefvater, etc.
There’s a time and place for that, but today, let’s gather around and share something (or somethings!) that we’re thankful for in our writing. I’ll go first:
I’m thankful that I had two writing retreats this year! One in the Seattle area with Jill and Shannon. One in Ocean City, Maryland with Roseanna. (Writing happened too. Not just laughing.)
I’m thankful Jill introduced me to the book Save the Cat Writes A Novel. This is the most helpful book I’ve read about story in years.
I’m thankful that in-person events are back! Twice this year, I enjoyed teaching writing workshops.
I’m thankful to have been paid for a young adult write-for-hire project that I enjoyed writing. And I’m thankful to have finally finished a YA historical mystery that I’ve been plugging away at for a year now.
I’m thankful for Deep Work by Cal Newport and the permission to put away my phone and close out my internet so I can work with more focus and joy.
And I’m extremely thankful for writers like you, who make GoTeenWriters.com my favorite place to be on the internet.
Please share what’s happened in your writing world that you’re thankful for!
Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as two historical young adult novels, The Lost Girl of Astor Street and Within These Lines. Within These Lines was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, as well as a YALSA 2020 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com, which has been on the Writer’s Digest Best Websites for Writers list since 2017. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children. You can connect with Stephanie and learn more about her books at StephanieMorrill.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Today I’m thankful for a lot of things. We have heat in our basement, when last year, we were shoveling snow out of a roofless house. I’m thankful that for my creative writing class this year, and that I worked up the courage to give NaNoWriMo a try – only one more week, and hopefully I’ll have 50,000 words! I’m thankful that I was able to reconnect with a good friend and get involved with an amazing youth group. And I’m thankful that I found Go Teen Writers, because there is so much good stuff to dig up on this website! The three of you have really helped my writing journey. Thank you so much!
Hannah, I’m so glad you found us! We’re thankful for our community of writers!
Hmm… I’m thankful that I was able to finish the first draft of a full-length novel. I’m thankful that I’ve gone from googling random writing questions to finding blogs(like you guys!) to come to. And I’m also thankful that I’m past the phase of reading my first drafts to my friend.
(On a side note, your son sounds like my brother. He made a tree with leaves saying what he was thankful for in Sunday School last week and some of the very touching items included ‘Minecraft’ and ‘TV’)
Ellie, I love that you can see such progress! I’m glad you found us!
I used to be pretty judgmental about kids who are so obsessed with screens, and now I have a little boy who regularly says, “I love video games. I love them more than anything.”
This February I wrote something that’s one of the most deeply personal pieces I ever have, and over the year I’ve been periodically revisiting and revising it. Now I think it’s one of the best, if not the best, piece I’ve ever written, and it’s allowed me to process some powerful emotions around a certain event that affected me deeply, and I’m really grateful for that 🙂
Wow, that’s awesome, Ava!
I’m also thankful for writing retreats this year and in-person events AND Save the Cat Writes a Novel AND another work-for-hire project! 😉
I’m also thankful that even though I work full-time as a fifth grade teacher, I’ve still been able to write. I’m thankful for Kindle Vella, that taught me I could write a book, one chapter a week.
And I’m thankful for writing friends to do this journey with and cheer each other on. It would be so very lonely, otherwise. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I’ve been amazed at all you’ve gotten done alongside your full time job!
I’m thankful for my enthusiastic newsletter subscribers! Their sweet replies always brighten my day. <3
I'm also thankful that my short story was chosen to be in an anthology come 2023!
And I'm thankful for my Creator, who shared some creativity with me so I can write for His glory.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy writing! 🙂 <3
That’s wonderful! Congratulations!
I’m thankful I recently wrote two short stories after over a year of being unable to write. I’m thankful for my worlds and characters and tales that bring me joy and that I’m slowly getting back my joy in writing them down.
That Deep Work book sounds interesting; thanks for sharing!
That’s wonderful, Deborah! Yes, I’ve found it to be an exceptionally helpful book.
I’m grateful for opportunities to write with friends and that I’m only a couple of chapters away from finishing the first draft of a marriage of convenience novella. Happy Thanksgiving!
Congratulations on (nearly) finishing your draft!
Thanks, Stephanie!