November Theme: Through Thick and Thin

by Stephanie Blake

Man, it's easy to become a loner when you are a full-time writer! 2011 has slipped away from me. I have been working on edits for my forthcoming novel for months and haven't had the time for much else.

Early this year, I felt underwater. I was helping my mother deal with a vigorous round of chemotherapy and radiation. (She's recently been declared cancer-free.) I was sick a lot. I had sinus surgery. And started weekly allergy shots. In July, I tore some ligaments in my ankle and had physical therapy for weeks. (I will be having surgery in December to repair that ankle.)

I felt torn in a million directions. There were so many things to keep up with: Twitter, Facebook, Publishers Marketplace, the Blue Board, my reading pile, new writing, lots of edits, the family stuff, etc.

I made the tough decision to give up on my blog. Because I am not the kind of person who does things halfway, I went one step further and decided to separate my writing life from my personal life. After that, I withdrew from everything publishing related.

In other words, I pretty much dropped off the face of the earth.

Then, I wrote my acknowledgements for The Marble Queen. And remembered that I'm not alone.

There's a handful of fellow writers out there who are always keeping tabs on me. I've never even met a few of these special people who have checked in to say, "Hey, what's going on? Where are you?" These people prayed for my mom and my niece. They have held me up and encouraged me when I wanted to give up.

I'm so thankful to each one of these friends. Thanksgiving day is the perfect time to say it.

Much love and gratitude to:
Janel Rodriguez
Tracy Abell
Jennifer Duddy Gill
Rena Jones
Amy Allgeyer Cook
Hilary Sierpinski
Ingrid Law
Nan Marino
Jodi Moore
Shari Green
Brenda Reeves Sturgis
Gail Goetz
Shelli Johannes Wells
Danette Vigilante
Helene Boudreau
Kristin Walker
C.K. Kelly Martin

(I hope I haven't forgotten anyone.)

Comments

  1. I'm so glad your mom is doing better, Stephanie. Happy happy Thanksgiving!!

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  2. Stephanie--you have enormous courage--to know and to do and to act on what is right for you.
    Wonderful!

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  3. Thanks for the uplifting post, Stephanie - a good reminder that although our work is solitary we are not alone. All the best to your mom, and to you, as well, with your upcoming ankle surgery!

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  4. I'm glad to hear your mom is doing better, too, Stephanie...Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

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