With the craziness of NaNoWriMo this month and other writing stuff I’ve got to do, I’m taking a small break. For the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I’m going to post small snippets or pictures of things that I’m thankful for. I’ll post some small editing advices of things I’ve learned over the years. I may even announce a very exciting event coming up. Who am I kidding? I WILL announce it by the end of this week!
What is it, you ask? Agented/Published authors or industry interns are teaming up with aspiring writers to read entire manuscripts and help shine up their teammate’s pitches to present to agents in January. So get your manuscripts ready. More details this week.
My first thankful thought…
Though you will see some time this month that I’m thankful for my family, I had to give my son, Jacob, his own post. He’s a survivor of cancer. I’m so thankful he is here with us today. He brings me joy every moment and reminds me of how close we all are to losing someone we love.
Editing tip: Yes, you should start your story with action, but this doesn’t mean you drop your reader into a fight, car chase, car crash, or other action without setting it up first. It’s confusing. We must know who’s head we’re in beforehand. We must connect to your main character first. Action is something happening to your characters as we get to know and love them.
Won’t you join me on this journey of thanksgiving? Sign up on the linky below, post pictures or thoughts of thanks from now until Thanksgiving, hop around during the month, and get to know each other. I look forward to visiting each and every one! Start posting today or join in whenever you like.
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31 Comments
Casey Roach · November 7, 2012 at 9:42 am
This is touching! I think any family that survives a loved one being diagnosed with cancer – regardless of the prognosis – is a whole family of survivors.
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 9:44 am
Yay! Thanks for joining me! He’s such an upbeat kid. He made it easy on all of us.
Sarah J. · November 7, 2012 at 10:09 am
Is there a specific date the blog hop happens or is it now? Thanks!
And thanks for sharing. I look forward to the announcement!
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 10:34 am
Start anytime you like from today on. Thank you!
Beth · November 7, 2012 at 12:07 pm
I’m so glad your son is doing well now. I can’t imagine finding out my child had cancer.
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 8:40 pm
It was a very tough time, but we laughed and enjoyed life during it. He was such a special boy and now he’s a phenomenal man. Thank you!
Fiona McLaren · November 7, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Okay three things:
1. What an amazing gift that your son survived cancer. You are so blessed.
2. What a wonderful blog idea. People should always remember to be grateful for the things in their lives.
3. Awesome contest. Seriously, you help make peoples dreams come true, you really do.
And…darn it…I need a number four…I love, love, LOVE the falling leaves! I need I need I need! HOW did you get those????
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Thank you, I feel so connected to this community that I hope everyone can realize their dreams. It’ a thrill to watch all the magic happen!
Lizzy · November 7, 2012 at 7:19 pm
I’m thankful your son is doing well. I have two daughters of my own and I can only imagine the strength a parent must have to walk that journey with their child (not to mention the childs). Thank you for sharing.
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Thank you, Lizzy. Jacob was always so happy and wanted to play that he kept us grounded. He’s such a gift!
Sharon K. Mayhew · November 7, 2012 at 7:23 pm
What a blessing! I am so glad your son is doing well.
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 8:44 pm
Thank you, he’s such a spark plug. He never slows down, so neither did we. 😉
Sarah Guillory · November 7, 2012 at 8:46 pm
What a great idea! So many things to be thankful for.
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 8:56 pm
There are so many. I’m trying to narrow in on the most important or most fun ones!
Robin Weeks · November 7, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Okay, I’m entering, but I might be a bit boring while I plod through NaNo….
My 7-year-old had a lymphoma scare not quite a year ago. It wasn’t lymphoma, but for a week or so, we thought it might be. Ever since we dodged that bullet, my heart goes doubly out to those who didn’t. SOOO glad your son’s okay!
Brenda Drake · November 7, 2012 at 8:56 pm
You can make it as easy as you want. Just post pictures or random thoughts. Good luck NaNoing!
chasingthecrazies · November 7, 2012 at 10:00 pm
What a great idea. We get so caught up in the everyday we forget all the things we should be grateful for. Excited to be part of the hop!
Brenda Drake · November 8, 2012 at 9:14 am
It’s nice to take time to reflect and come up with thankful things. There’s so much I’m thankful for.
Michelle S. · November 8, 2012 at 8:20 am
Love this idea! Hoping to jump in soon.
Brenda Drake · November 8, 2012 at 9:14 am
Yay! So glad you’re gong to join us!
Manju Howard · November 8, 2012 at 4:28 pm
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Manju Howard · November 8, 2012 at 4:30 pm
I am thankful for the writers I have met through your blog and fellow writers’ blogs.
Brenda Drake · November 9, 2012 at 8:17 am
That’s a great one – it’s amazing how many giving writers there are in our online community!
jessika fleck · November 8, 2012 at 4:34 pm
This is great, thanks for the opportunity to hop on and for your inspiring first post!
Brenda Drake · November 9, 2012 at 8:18 am
Thanks for joining in! I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s posts.
Johana Vera · November 8, 2012 at 4:42 pm
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Johana Vera · November 8, 2012 at 4:43 pm
I’m thankful for the internet. Sounds shallow when you compare it with other people’s list of things to be thankful for, but I really am. Yeah, my family is the best and all of that, but I feel like networking doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves so I’m thanking whoever invented the world wide web.
It helped me discover a whole new world that otherwise I wouldn’t even know existed.
And meet so many new people that I’d never meet in my “real” life. And overall, find online the support of people who go through the same things I do with my writing process. I don’t know. That feels important enough to be granted the attention.
I’ll work on a more justified post later this week:)
Oh! Thanks for doing this.
Brenda Drake · November 9, 2012 at 8:19 am
The internet is amazing. It has brought so many people together. I writer’s life can be lonely but with the ability to connect with like minds, it’s like we’re not alone.
erica m. chapman · November 8, 2012 at 4:46 pm
<3<3<3 I'm thankful for YOU. You have a wonderful family!
Brenda Drake · November 9, 2012 at 8:19 am
Back at you, DAHling!! <3333
Lynn(e) Schmidt · November 20, 2012 at 10:37 am
Wow. This post kind of just blew me away. I’m so happy he’s a survivor!
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