by Ruth Harris
There are some great reasons for writers to give thanks—
- That brilliant idea that comes out of nowhere just when you were about to give up.
- The reader who absolutely gets what you’re doing and says so in an intelligent, perceptive review.
- The google doc that goes everywhere you do seamlessly.
- Scrivener in mac and pc versions.
- Ms word the reliable classic depended on by writers and editors.
- The writer, the one you most admire, who offers praise beyond your wildest dreams.
- Supportive friends and fans who cheer you on.
- Encouragement from other writers who know just when to sympathize or celebrate.
- The editor who saves you from yourself and makes you better than even you thought you could be.
- Blogs written by experienced pros who offer perspective, tips and how-to’s—free.
- Books about craft, widely available and at low cost.
- Advertising and marketing gurus who share their hard-won expertise, some of it free, some of it via paid courses.
- Plotters, pantsers and plantsers.
- Books by other authors in and out of our genre that inspire us and challenge us.
- Agents — the right one can change your life.
- Publishers who care and do everything right.
- Amazon and Apple. Kobo GooglePlay and Nook. When traditional publishing was losing scope and opportunities for writers were shrinking, they opened their doors.
- Notebooks — digital and analogue.
- Libraries and librarians.
- Google.
- Book stores: The chains, the famous ones, the inviting independent neighborhood shops.
by Ruth Harris (@RuthHarrisBooks) November 28, 2021
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What about you, scriveners? What are you thankful for this season? I’m thankful for having Ruth Harris as my blog partner for almost ten years! And I’m thankful for all of you….Anne
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Available at Amazon, Kobo, GooglePlay, Nook, and Apple
“WOW! WHAT A STORY!”
“A master storyteller coaxed me through a maze of fascinating, brilliant, tragic, and heartwarming twists and turns, and left me feeling uplifted and satisfied. ZURI slides to the top of my favorite books of 2020!” —Sue Coletta, award-winning, bestselling author
They rescue endangered animals, but can they rescue each other?
Renny Kudrow, Director of the Kihali animal orphanage in Kenya, is a renowned elephant whisperer, a brilliant translator of animal communication. But human communication?
Not so much, thinks Starlite Higgins, the wildlife vet who Renny thinks is not up to the job.
Renny is prickly, remote, critical, and Starlite, accustomed to success, but who almost causes Zuri’s rescue to fail, is unable to win his approval.
When Renny and Starlite must work together to save the life of the baby rhino fatally wounded by poachers, they must face the shocking secrets they both hide—and the attraction they can no longer deny.
And here’s what Amazon readers are saying:
5 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed this sweet but important novella about a director of an African animal orphanage and a vet’s struggle to save an injured rhino calf after its mother is brutally murdered by poachers. On one level the story is a tender glimpse into the intelligent world of animals; on another it’s an expose of the tragic world of poaching and the wildlife it endangers. Add to that an engaging love story between the protagonists, and you have a delightful way to spend a few hours.
5 out of 5 stars Wow, What a Story!
The beginning cut deep. I feared and worried during the middle, and cried happy tears at the end. A master storyteller coaxed me through a maze of fascinating, brilliant, tragic, and heartwarming twists and turns and left me feeling uplifted and satisfied, but yearning for more of the lovable Zuri, quirky Boozie, majestic Maise, and the delightful Renny and Starlight. I hope there’s a sequel! ZURI slides to the top of my favorite books of 2020!
A tick to all twenty-one, Ruth. My thanks is for being part of the wonderful writing community and meeting folks like you and Anne. Happy Sunday, all!
Thanks, Garry, from Anne & moi! Holiday best wishes to you and yours!
Absolutely. And, how about that unexpected character that walks onto the page exactly when you need him/her?
CS—Oh, yeah! Can be a good guy or a bad girl but never, ever a grinch! 🙂
Thank you for this extensive list, Ruth. It’s wonderful to see how truly blessed I am.
Leanne—Nice to hear the list helped! Writing it cheered me up. Yes, indeed, we are lucky indeed. 🙂
10. Blogs written by experienced pros who offer perspective, tips and how-to’s—free.
And their names are Ruth Harris and Anne R. Allen!
Giving thanks for your guidance and friendship.
Thanks, Debbie, and very much the same to you. Your posts on TKZ are always super smart and on target!
Thanks, Garry, from Anne & moi! Holiday best wishes to you and yours!
I count 23 Reasons for Writers to Give Thanks–I’m adding Anne R. Allen and Ruth Harris to those reasons!
Aaaaw, Kenneth, thanks so much. Anne and I appreciate your kind words. Readers and commenters like you are the reason we keep on keeping on.:-)
I am thankful for your blog and how helpful it is for us aspiring authors.
I look forward every week to reading it.
Thank you, Anne and Ruth. Thank you both.
Ingmar—Thanks to you, too, for your kind words and consisted support of our efforts. Anne and I wish you and yours all the best for a happy, healthy holiday season!
Definitely thankful for all the blog friends who’ve supported me over the years.
Thanks, Alex. You have earned our thanks many times over for all you’ve done to create & support the Insecure Writers Group.
Thanks for your inspiring website.
How wonderful to see in this age of fear, privilege, and expectation, your reminder to embrace the many things for which we can be grateful – Bless you!
Chris— Thank *you* for your kind words. Anne and I send our best wishes to you & yours for a happy, healthy holiday!
Agree with all 21, Ruth! I’m most grateful for all my writer friends, including the Sizzle Master and Anne. This biz wouldn’t be nearly as fun without you!
Now, please tell me there’ll be a sequel to ZURI…someday…pretty please…I’ll even take a maybe. 😉
Sue—Thanks! Anne and I like to keep it down to earth and fun wherever and whenever possible. You and the gang at TKZ are definitely on the gratitude list for your always terrific support and advice. As we all know, writers can use all the help we can get!
I dunno. Maybe. Zuri does have a calf, so there’s that. 😉
Yay!!! Maybe works. 🙂
Great list of things we can be grateful for – many I didn’t think of at all! Thank you.
All of these. So much. And for #10…thank you, Ruth. And Anne. And all your guest bloggers. ????
Thanks for this great list of reminders Ruth. 🙂
Thanks, DG. Anne and I send our best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season!
Thanks so much. Wishing you both happiness and health! Stay safe! <3
Thanks for sharing
Rere—Thank *you* Anne and I send our best wishes to you for a happy, healthy holiday season!
Hi Anne,
What a lovely article! I am a part of the reader community as well, and I have to give a lot of thanks to audiobooks. In this time, when we sometimes do not have the time to physically read a book, audiobooks have helped me keep this habit in my routine. I really don’t think I would have been able to read as much if it wasn’t for audiobooks. So, I am really thankful for all the things that you mentioned, plus the trend of audiobooks as well.
John—Ruth here. Thank you for the excellent addition to the list! AudioBooks are indeed a great asset for writers and for readers. Anne and I wish you & yours a happy, healthy holiday season.
Yes, most of those are worth celebrating (I have no agent), but personally, the following are especially precious: #s 1,5,10,10,10,14,19. You’ll notice you two are at the emphasis of the list, and deservedly so.
So, thank you!
Fred—Thank *you* for your kind words! 🙂 Anne and I send our best wishes for a healthy, happy holiday season.
I’m late to the party, but wanted to say how thankful I am to you both for your instructive, thoughtful, and fun guides to writing a book someone (other than oneself) would want to read. Thank you, so much.
When I’m not playing hooky from my computer, I look forward to your posts each Sunday. Boundless gratitude to you both.
Patricia—Thank you for your very kind words. Anne and I strive to offer writers realistic, credible info (avec humor whenever possible.) It’s gratifying to hear we hit the target now & then. Thank you for taking the time to let us know. 🙂