Giving Thanks - a Work of Gratitude

I've been thinking about Thanksgiving, since it's a major U.S. holiday and everyone is madly trying to get enough turkey, yams, and potatoes to feed a small battalion. But I realized what Thanksgiving really means to me is a gratitude for the blessings that have come to me and inundated my life; particularly my writing life.

Mr SM

Writing can be a solitary exercise, but for me I need the interaction with other people the help spur the muse and boost the inspiration. There are several people I have met in the last year who have helped me in ways big and small to improve my writing and my stories and I'd like to share them with you here. I'm so grateful they're in my life and I don't have enough words to tell them everything. This will have to be good enough.

Three people believed in me from the beginning; my husband Mr. SM, my oldest friend E. K. Yenawine, and a graduate school colleague Lanya Ross. Mr. SM encouraged my writing and often helps me when I get stuck in a plot line. Thank you, my handsome love!

E.K. Yenawine

E.K. Yenawine and I have been telling each other stories since junior high, staying up way too late, and saving the worlds we created one mechanical horse at a time. ;) She's now a technical editor and has helped me by going through my stories with a fine-toothed comb until the English is smooth.

Lanya Ross is a great scientist, but she also is a great reader and loves the weird, the wild, and the wicked in her fiction. She has a great sense of continuity and reminded me if my character had such a wonderful relationship with her mother, why didn't she mention her more throughout the story? Uhh . . .

Lanya Ross

When I started writing my blog this year, I met up with Tom Keller, a science fiction writer who lives in the same town as I do. ;) He became a critique partner and a great friend and still continues to help me find the best story in the writing. If you like science-fiction/fantasy, Tom writes some great stuff and you can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and in The Dryad's Garden.

Tom Keller

Tom, in turn, introduced me to Cara Michaels. You know that sense that you might have a twin out there somewhere in the world? Cara is it for me. She and I are writing twin sisters. Not only are we the same height, weight, and blood type, but we write in similar styles, think the same way, and enjoy the same kinds of music. Cara writes science-fiction with romantic elements, although her NaNoWriMo project has some pretty good love scenes in them and I'm in love with Graham and Kelly already. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Defiantly Literate, especially for #MenageMonday flash fiction writing challenge.

Cara Michaels and her Gray Pride.

In the heat of the summer, I attended Arizona Dreamin' a romance reader event held in Tempe, AZ, and the moment I stepped out of the car for the event, I encountered Morgan Kearns and her million watt smile. She was so warm and welcoming I couldn't help but follow her around like a puppy. She didn't seem to mind. Morgan has made me laugh, not only with her writing, but with her anecdotes of day to day life being a parent and a spouse. She helps me keep it real, balancing the life of a writer with a life full of parenting and household responsibilities. Morgan writes sweet romance, both contemporary and paranormal, and all of it is full of humor. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and her webpage.

Morgan Kearns with Siobhan at AZ Dreamin' 2010

Shannan Albright found me, and as I understand it, stalked me at Arizona Dreamin', much like I stalked Morgan Kearns. At the end of the conference she asked me to be her programs coordinator for the Las Vegas RWA and we've been talking and laughing ever since. Shannan makes me laugh and her faith in my ability to write as well as bring in people to speak at the Las Vegas RWA has been a blessing. She hates her photo being taken, so it's a coup that she let me post it here. You can find Shannan on Twitter, Facebook, GoodReads and Romance you can sink your fangs into.

Shannan Albright

Nara Malone has the honor of being the first author I interviewed on my blog for her newest release, Snatch Me. I met Nara on Facebook when told her I'd just finished her book The Dungeon Gourmet and Mr SM wanted to try the recipe given by her character Le Marquis de Bond. The earthquake that shook Virginia in August of this year surprised everyone. She was close to the epicenter.

Nara has been a great source of information on publishing and promotion, and she's just great to talk to. if you saw the interview on this blog a few weeks ago, Nara has constructed a virtual world where you can interact with other players and amazing environments in honor of her recent release, Snatch Me. You can find Nara on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and at her blog in my favorite authors list to the right.

Nara Malone

This Thanksgiving holiday, take time to remember those people who have changed your world for the better. I'm fortunate to have these folks as my friends and I'm lucky to have all of you who come to read and delight in my stories. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!