This year I am thankful for something very odd.

I'm thankful my wrists stopped working.

Weird, yes. But I have reasoning.

I type fast. Very fast. (Every vendor from werk that's ever heard me type comments on it.) And in that fast typing I can get a lot of words in. The problem with that is that I tend to rush things-- drafting, revising, re-revising. It's a good thing for drafting, IMO. If I take too much time to "think" the draft, I get blocked and even though I do tend to push through fairly easily, the blocks are never fun & always frustrating.

But when I couldn't draft while revising, I had to concentrate on revising. I had to focus. And I had to have a Serious Plan, because flailing at it wasn't an option when I only had a few good hours of "wrist time" a day (and during the really bad weeks, it was barely an hour, maybe, if I pushed too hard).

If I hadn't had to slow down, I don't think ACCURSED would be as solid as it is. And that is something I am very thankful for.

Of course, I'm also thankful for a number of other things. I met a lot of writers this year at various retreats & events (*waves to Caroline, Robin, Miranda, Guin, Lynn & Sonia*). I've gotten to talk to them about writing & their books & life & I'm so glad to be able to commiserate with so many fabulous people! And of course, my on-going writing friends, who put up with me for quite a while now (*waves to Tiffany T., Tiffany S., Amie & Dhonielle*) And of course my beta readers, without whom I'd still be lost in revision-land!

I'm always thankful for my wonderful, supportive husband & family (Emmers, my parents, sister & extended family). My in-person crit group, who has been together over five years now (is it five? or six? Janelle, help me out here!). My bestie, b, of course, who reads all my stuff & still doesn't think I'm too crazy to talk to. ;-) And my werk friends, who keep me sane in the dungeon.

And of course, I'm insanely grateful for my amazing CP, Jessica Spotswood. Jess, thanks for making me a better writer, talking me off multiple ledges & for letting me share in your cramazing ride this year. But most of all, thanks for being my friend. Whatever serendipitous internet meet-ups led to us being CPs, I'm so glad they happened :)

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody :)