Happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, filled with delicious food and quality time with family (whether the biological or the chosen kind).
I have to admit: I’m Not Great at expressing gratitude. Not because I don’t feel thankful for all the wonderful people and things in my life, but because I’m always looking ahead to the next milestone, ambition nipping at my heels, instead of taking the time to sit still and give thanks for what’s going on in the present moment. So in the spirit of self-improvement, I’m going to try to keep this list to what I’m thankful for right now rather than thinking ahead to what may or may not happen in my debut year.
I do have to start with my agent and editor, though – without them, of course, I wouldn’t be a debut author at all! I’m especially thankful for my agent at the present moment, because she’s been fielding all my angsty emails about Book 2 ideas with her usual patience, wisdom, insightful questions, and sardonic humor.
I’m thankful for my writing community, here in Chicago and online (including, of course the lovely ladies of the Debutante Ball, all of whom I hope to meet in person one day!). I’m especially thankful that I know so many badass ambitious women who’ve rejected the ridiculous patriarchal narrative that we should be in competition with each other. You’re my colleagues, not my competition, and the greatest joy of my writing life so far has been getting to know all of you and cheering you on.
I’m thankful for my job, which gives me the flexibility to pursue my artistic dreams without worrying about how I’m going to pay the rent.
I’m thankful for my dog, who keeps my feet (and sometimes my wrists) warm when I’m writing and lets me hug his giant shoulders when I’m feeling stressed. His stupid face makes me smile every single day.
And last but definitely not least, I’m thankful for my partner, who listens to my angst and shares in my joy, picks up my share of the housework so I can have more time to write, and has never for a second been threatened by my success. This will be our 13th Thanksgiving together, and I look forward to many more years of celebrating with too many carbs and the National Dog Show. Love you, babe.
