Category: Gratitude Blog

Tonight I tackled some tedious work that was bothering me because one detail in one of my books wasn’t exactly right. Few, if anyone would notice. BUT I KNEW. And it bugged me. So tonight, with a great deal of tedious work, it is fixed and correct. Because of that, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Of course, I also know the “accomplishment” is mostly relief that it’s correct. Otherwise, it was like seeing a cockeyed picture (or my crooked curtain rods – THOSE drive me crazy!). There are little details in life that most people never notice, but some of us do. And fixing them brings a flood of relief like nothing you can imagine.

So tonight, I’m grateful that I was able to fix my off-kilter picture.

The sunshine played with the ends of my hair and the spring breeze cooled my cheeks. And I walked. I walked silently along sidewalks and cut through lumpy grass mounds the newly green lawns. The crystal blue sky above me was calming. Birds flutter past and called from distant trees. Children squealed on the school playground while others readied their bikes for a new season. Other walkers smiled generously and nodded as they went their way. My husband’s hand folded around mine as I walked, surrounding not just my hand but all of me with warmth and comfort. And we kept walking, noticing each moment and the joys of spring it held.

I just finished reading the manuscript of a novel from a new writer. I enjoyed the characters, but otherwise, it wasn’t very good. But then again, it wasn’t terrible either. It was simply… not ready. And you know what? I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Reading is essential for writers. Reading good fiction is nice, but reading bad fiction and figuring out exactly how it went wrong is a fantastic learning experience. Even well-known writing principles come alive when seen through the mis-steps of someone else’s manuscript. Perhaps that sounds harsh, but I don’t mean it that way. I learned a tremendous amount when other writers slogged through my initial bad manuscripts, and I feel good about paying that back to newer writers by sharing what I’ve learned so far –  and honing my skills in the process. I hope this writer will feel the same when all is said and done.

Bad fiction is good – it helps me learn.

Yesterday evening, I struck up a conversation with a stranger. I’d seen her once or twice before, but we’d never spoken. I explained to her that I was an author and have free promo of one of my novels coming up. I handed her a card with the information on it and asked if she would be willing to download it during the free period and perhaps tell her friends about it. Increasing the number of downloads is helpful to me, I said.

She agreed. Not only that, but she bought a copy of the book last night, even though it will be free in a week, so that she could tell her friends more about the novel. We continued talking to discover a common background. Our total conversation lasted less than five minutes, but she departed, enthusiastic about helping me spread the word about the free promotion as far as possible.

As I sit here today, thinking about who I need to personally tell about the promotion and anticipating the reaction of a few “friends” (annoyance that I asked for their help), I am struck by the kindness of a stranger. And, of course, I am very grateful.

I got stuck this morning in my writing. Usually this means I having figured something out. Today, it was the motivations of the two bad- guys who are working together and the interplay with the organization for which one of them works. Very few of my characters have one pure motivation. That is, bad guys aren’t bad simply because they want to oppose the good guy. They have multiple reasons and rationales for how they behave and what they believe, and not infrequently, these motivations conflict. Thus, the weave of the multiple objectives, points of view and motivations becomes complex as I work them through.

When I was new to writing, I would have just plowed right through, figuring the problems and questions would somehow work themselves out, only to find the characters wandering aimlessly through the story. Now I relish working on motivations. For me, it’s what makes everything hang together – and what makes writing fun!

I had to wait a few weeks longer than usual to start my garden. The ground was still frozen in March, followed by rain that flooded our yard. But I’ve finally planted my cool weather crops – cleaning the weeds and remains of last year’s beans from the bed, breaking up the soil, troweling out little furrows, and sprinkling in the lettuce, spinach, chard, and snap pea seeds.

I am getting old and creaky, but gardening is still gratifying and seeing the tiny plants emerge from the ground in a week or so will be my reward.

Today, a friend and mentor was recognized for 40 years of service to his employer, a professional association. That type of longevity, in any profession, has become rare, causing me to reflect on why.

Often, when we find ourselves in imperfect situations, we give up, moving on to a new job or a new community or a new relationship. Sometimes that’s the right thing to do, but Brent always worked to make things better. One might pass that off, saying that  as a leader in his organization, he has the ability to make changes that others do not share, but that is not true. Brent is answerable to a very engaged board as well as to the members of the association. He cannot simply do whatever he wants. In that respect, he was no different than the hourly worker supervised by an assistant manager, an attorney who must follow the instructions of his clients and the court, or a business owner answerable to his customers. No one gets to make the rules on their own – not if they want the changes to stick. And that’s what makes Brent remarkable.

Over the years, I’ve watched Brent guide the organization through challenging times. He brings thoughtful ideas to his board and membership in an effort to make the organization stronger. In other words, he serves them and their needs, and that mentality of service has molded an effective organization in every respect, and shown Brent to be an extraordinary leader. Perhaps each of our lives would be a little better if we tried to make our workplaces, communities, and relationships better rather than blame someone else for the problems and walk away.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to observe and learn.

I was speaking with a friend last night who was surprised to hear that I write everyday. There are a few exceptions, of course. A day or two off here or there. Out of town book fairs or conventions that consume an entire day’s energy. But otherwise, I always write. “That must be hard,” he commented.

Indeed, it is hard. There are many days I am wrestling with characters who don’t want to comply or flailing around for a good setting where certain events can be revealed. But I think his comment was directed at doing it everyday. I won’t say there aren’t days when I’d rather not sit down and write, but overall, the everyday part is easy. I love writing. I love fine tuning my craft. I love analyzing how certain combinations of words and phrases will affect readers. By asking me about it last night, my friend reminded me that I’m doing what I love, and I am grateful that I get to pursue it everyday.

Over the past week, I’ve seen a lot of friends – old friends, new ones, very close personal ones and the more casual but still consistent ones – and was struck by how, at first blush, they have nothing in common. From brash to mousey. From liberal to conservative. From ponderously serious to joyously silly. From academicians to salesmen to service personnel. Each is unique and each is special to me.

But this evening, I realized there was one trait that distinguishes those who are my friends from those who are not: their outlook toward others. My friends look for the best in people. They assume each person is good until demonstrated otherwise. They do not approach each new person and their distinctiveness as a menace to their interests or way of life. And looking for goodness, they usually find it.

I am blessed to have such a rich array of people in my life, but I am even more grateful for their positive outlooks. It brings out the best in others, including myself.