This season of Thanksgiving calls to mind a quote by the 18th-century Scottish writer Alexander Chalmers:
“The three grand essentials of happiness are something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.”
For those of us who write, we can be grateful that the “something to do” part of that is pretty well covered.
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Every now and then, a friend will stop by our home and venture into my office. They’re usually surprised at what they find there. Books are standing or lying on bookshelves in some kind of semi-organized chaos, and the three-door closet is covered with Post-it notes I’m using to plot my next book.
The desk is a riot of papers, laptops, to-do lists, notes, and more books. Whiteboards lean against walls that are covered with pictures and papers, and the back of the office door has more lists taped to it.
Invariably, someone will ask, “How do you get everything done?” The answer is simple: I don’t.
One of life’s greatest blessings is, I think, to have more to do than one can possibly get done. I’m happy to tell the story I’m working on as well as I can, aware that there are many more in the future. I’m like a kid in a magnificent toy store, captivated by the puzzle I’m trying to put together and excited by the endless supply of new and shiny artifacts yet to be tackled. I am so grateful, and I’m reminded of another wonderful and timely quote, this one by a 13th-century theologian:
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” –Meister Eckhart.
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So, TKZers: Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for all the wisdom shared here over the past year!
Do you have more to do than you can ever accomplish? What things in your writing life are you grateful for?
I’ll be traveling today, but I’ll check in whenever I can to respond to comments.
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Private pilot Cassie Deakin has something to do: find the culprits who assaulted her beloved uncle. But can she accomplish her mission before she becomes the next victim? Buy it here.
🆀Do you have more to do than you can ever accomplish?
🅰Fer sure. I plan 6 more Guardienne papers for ResearchGate, a popsci version of the concept, and a 110 page KDP book. I want to back-adapt my thriller to film and finish three more partial filmscripts. I have three more novels about 75% done, and I’m hoping to be named US Ambassador to Gondwanaland.
🆀What things in your writing life are you grateful for?
🅰Definitely KillZone, JSB, and all the writers here. KillZone usually starts or ends my day, or both. I’m also grateful for my Tuesday workshop at the library.
Congratulations on a to-do list that keeps growing, JG. Let us know how things go with that Ambassadorship! 🙂
Sure will, Kay. I should mention, in case anyone is listening, that I am fluent in all the languages of that region.
“One of life’s greatest blessings is, I think, to have more to do than one can possibly get done.”
That really resonates with me. It’s easy to get negative when you think about all the creative things you want to do but don’t have time for. I probably have about 20 novel ideas I’d like to develop plus a few non-fiction; then there’s painting, drawing, leather work, learning bluegrass banjo etc etc.
Sure, I may accomplish only a small fraction of those things, but then I think about how dull life would be without a creative outlet. Yuck! I’m very thankful for the natural curiosity that causes me to write and to do other creative things as I can. Each one brings its own form of joy to life.
Good morning, BK.
We are fortunate to have all these wonderful ideas to work on. Curiosity and creativity are joyful assets to be sure.
Oh yeah, I have more story ideas/concepts than I’ll ever get to in this lifetime. So I identify with Isaac Asimov who, when asked what he would do if he knew he had only 6 months to live, said, “Type faster.”
I’m thankful for a wife who understands me, to the extent that is possible.
Good morning, Jim. I love that quote from Isaac Asimov.
I’m with you on the blessings of a good spouse. A gift from heaven.
Thanks for those two quotes, Kay. Full of truth and wisdom.
In the unlikely event I ever finish drafting, editing, and catching up, there’s always the dreaded marketing that never ends, or organizing files, or uploading to Ingram, or creating boxed sets, or the giant stack of books to read, etc.
I’m grateful for the love, encouragement, and support of more readers and writing colleagues than I can count.
Kay, I esp. appreciate you for alerting me last night with the good news that my thriller Deep Fake Double Down is a finalist for the BookLife Prize.
Safe travels and have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
Congratulations on your book being a finalist. Grateful that we’ve connected.
Congratulations, Debbie!
Good morning, Debbie! So much to be thankful for.
Congratulations again on the wonderful news that Deep Fake Double Down is a finalist for the BookLife Prize! (For those who don’t know, I understand there are just five books in contention, each from a different genre.) I’ll be watching and waiting with you, my friend.
Congratulations, Debbie! That’s wonderful news!
Woo-Hoo, Debbie!
Yayayay! It’s sure to win!
Congratulations, Debbie!
Congratulations, Debbie!
There’s always more to do, even if it’s “only” more books than one could ever read. Trying new things is what keeps my life interesting. It’s how I got into this writing gig, after all.
In my writing life, I’m thankful for the encouragement of others.
Good afternoon, Terry. I agree that trying new things keeps life interesting. And there’s so much to try.
Have a Happy thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving week, Kay. I am thankful for all sorts of wonderful books available for enjoyment and to inspire my own reading.
And Happy Thanksgiving to you, Priscilla!
So many good books to read,
Happy Thanksgiving, Kay!
Yes, like many others here, I have more ideas than I will ever be able to develop and write into stories. I’m manic, and I love it.
I’m especially thankful for a wife who understands me, allows me to pursue my crazy ideas, fills in the gaps with the necessities of life while I’m writing or inventing, and pretends to be interested when I include her in my brainstorming. I am truly blessed.
Thanks for your wonderful posts here at TKZ, and safe travels today!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Steve. You have quite an assortment of things to be thankful for, from making the gorgeous pens to writing fantasy novels. I think you’ll be busy for a long time!
Happy Thanksgiving, Kay, and safe travels!
I’m blessed, like you and many others here, to have more ideas and projects than I can complete, even if I live to be a 100. It really does feel like being a kid in a candy store. Not only do I have a number of ideas, I know I have many more waiting in the wings in my imagination to come forth. I also know that I will never learn it all, when it comes to writing–there’s always something else to learn and practice.
I’m grateful for my loving and supportive wife, who is one of my beta readers and, in a pinch, one of my copy editors. I’m grateful for all my writing friends and especially the wonderful, supportive TKZ community where I’m also blessed to call you and many others friends.
Much to be thankful for, to be sure!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Dale.
Like other commenters, I have a never-ending to-do list with more story ideas than I could write in a lifetime. Better than none, I suppose. 😉
Wishing you and yours a special Thanksgiving, Kay!
May the lists never end! Happy Thanksgiving, Sue.
The older you get, the less crap you give. One of the blessings of aging.
I agree there are many blessings to aging. Happy Thanksgiving, Marilynn.
Love this question. I’ll never get caught up and that’s good. It’s one reason I’m never bored!
Happy Thanksgiving!
So many wonderful stories to tell.
Happy Thanksgiving, Patricia!