WRITING

A Thankfulness Practice for Writers and Authors

BY HANNAH GUY • November 25, 2022

A Thankfulness Practice for Writers and Authors

Ready or not, National Novel Writing Month is winding down (don’t panic!), and the holiday season is officially here.

For some folks this week is a celebration of loved ones, football, turkey, and a massive food spread. For others it is also the beginning of careful and quiet reflection—a season for slowing down and enjoying a reprieve. It’s an opportunity to think inward, to examine ourselves, where we are, and all we have accomplished over the year.

There is a nudge for us all to put aside our frustrations, anger, and irritations. To pause and look at the wonderful things in our lives that deserve recognition. To remember who we are, and our compassion and kindness.

It’s also a time for gratitude. For some folks, that is about family and loved ones. For others, it’s about stuffing and that amazing pumpkin pie. And for many, it’s a reminder that as hard as life seems sometimes, or how much of a rut we’re in, we still need to stop and take a moment to be thankful. With that in mind, we present this thankfulness practice for writers and authors. Because don’t most of us word nerds have our own blessings that we often forget?

Repeat after me: “I am grateful for my creativity.”

While creativity is a skill that needs nurturing, it is also a wonderful gift when it comes naturally—even if it sometimes feels like a bit of a curse. Because sure, we can imagine all kinds of horrible things that go bump in the night . . . but we can also imagine incredible and wondrous worlds, create an entire person from scratch (pardoning the Dr. Frankenstein subtext), and invite anyone into our worlds, our stories, and sometimes even into the farmost reaches of the universe and our brains.

Take the time to write down a small gratitude every day.

Some folks are all about a gratitude journal, where every day begins or ends with writing down (or saying aloud) the things we’re grateful for that day. This is, of course, a lovely idea and practice. Journaling is rewarding and valuable. But when you write all day, sometimes the thought of taking pen to paper and writing out extensive essays or lists of gratitude sounds exhausting.

Better yet, grab a decent-size sticky note. Write the date and one thing you’re grateful for with regard to your writing. It could be as simple as new batteries for your mouse or fluffy slippers that make you feel just that much more creative. It could be something big and life-changing, like your book deal. Whatever it is, write it down. At the end of every week, plunk that sticky note in your calendar, on your desk, or even on the wall so you can see your little gratitudes grow.

Say thank you to someone.

The writing community is vast, and we all have different connections within its framework. For some of us, the writing community as we know it exists on social media as a vast network of people. For others, it is a writing or reading group, a workplace, or just some folks you know. It could be your editor, your copywriter, your designer, or your agent. Let them know that you appreciate having them in your life, and how they’ve helped you on your writing path. A little appreciation goes a long way—and it might just make their day.

Recognize the readers who joined you on this journey.

Sometimes we’re so focused on what we’re not achieving—incredible sales, tons of fans, awards, movie deals, expensive writing retreats in glorious tropical paradises—that we forget to recognize one important fact: every time someone reads our work, they’re following us on the journey. Whether it’s your editor, beta readers, close friends and family members, or even just a few readers (because let’s be honest, not everyone is selling scores of books), take a moment to absorb the fact that for a few hours, you took someone on a journey they’ve never experienced. You invited someone into a world you created filled with people you invented. How amazing is that? And not everyone gets to do that—let alone for a living.

Acknowledge and embrace the benevolence of caffeine.

There are absolutely heaps of writers and authors who don’t drink caffeinated beverages, and we salute you. But we also love our caffeine, and without it, we would all perish. Every time you take that first glorious sip from your mug, take a moment to thank the caffeine gods for the bounty you are about to receive. Amen.

Take a moment to appreciate how lucky you are.

There are two times when it becomes absolutely clear to me how lucky I am to write for a living. The first is when I’ve been working some terrible side-hustle job so I can pay the bills, and after the novelty of the experience wears off (about two weeks in), I realize just how much I hate both the work and the environment and long for my little computer and my little desk and my little life. Plus no one asks me to stuff envelopes.

The second time I realize just how fortunate I am is when I listen to friends and family members complain about their jobs. Not just venting about a frustrating moment or person but weeks, months, and sometimes even years of nonstop complaining and griping. At this point, I start feeling a little guilty that I love my job so much—but not too guilty, because honestly it’s not always an easy life.

Still . . . I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

PS: There’s one more thing we’re thankful for: you. Thank you so much for reading our blog and following along with us these last few years. We love the company.

Hannah Guy lives in Toronto and is a professional writer and copywriter who specializes in books, books, and more books. Follow her on Twitter at @hannorg.

Great Books & News Curated For You

Be the first to read books news and see reviews, news and features in Kirkus Reviews. Get awesome content delivered to your inbox every week.

Thank you!

Close Quickview