Tag – I’m it!

I was tagged by Kristin Miller to list 10 things I’m thankful for, but they have to be writing related. Okay, deep breath, I’m giving it a go.

1. I have two writing BFF’s that I have known for a couple of years and without them, would never have gotten where I am. They listen to me bitch, moan, groan, complain, and of course, help me celebrate. They are my plot buddies, the ones who tell me I’m crazy, or who just lend an ear when I need to cry. Ruth and Dayna I could not live without these guys! I love you both!

2. When I first started writing, I joined an online writing community, and without the amazing support there, would never have sold the very first thing I wrote. Romance Divas is the most amazing group of people you could hope to meet online.

3. Gotta get my hubs in the top three! LOL His support means everything. He “gets” it, I can talk to him about plots and characters and he has never laughed at me. He helps me brainstorm and work out problems, and listens when I bitch. What more could a girl ask for! ;P

4. YA Highway’ers. OMG. When I got asked to eat lunch at the cool girls table, I almost died. They like me, they really like me! LOL A more awesome group of girls would be hard to find. And they are all so uber cool too. That makes me cool by default!!

5. My muse. I have to give her a shout out, because without her, I’d be walking in circles talking to myself. Oh wait, I do that BECAUSE she gives me ideas, but never enough information to write the whole story. She likes to make me figure it out for myself. Which sort of defeats the point don’t you think? I mean really.

6. My day job. I love my job. I really do. Its flexible and pays well and I am able to pick up my kids when they get out of school and we come home and I have several hours a day that I can write. (In theory I admit) But my job enables me to pay the bills, and not worry so I can concentrate on the fun things. Like writing.

7. My Agent. Gotta give him a shout out because, even though my debut book didn’t go anywhere yet, has given me feedback and encouragement to rewrite another that I love, and to really push the boundaries of the one I’m doing now. And I love it! He takes “good” and pushes to make it “great.” I am so very thankful for that guidance and support.

8. My laptop. I know. But I bought it last year specifically to write. I gave my old one to the kids. Now they can play games and I can have my very own computer where all my books are stored, and that won’t be destroyed by viruses from game downloads. Most importantly, I have a computer with a S and W. Yeah, has anyone ever tried to put the letters back on a keyboard? I mean, like, all of them? Not.Easy.

9. My family. Seriously. At every family get together they ask how my writing is going, when they can buy my books, and what I’m working on now. I just wish I had something to show them that hard work really does pay off! One of these days. (And they have all volunteered to follow me around to do book signings so it looks like a crowd! LOL)

10. The Internet. For giving me the access to all the above! Including number 3! LOL (Okay, excluding number 9 technically) Technology is an amazing and wondrous thing.

So there you are, 10 writing related things I am thankful for. Now I tag my two girls, Ruth and Dayna.