My Progress? Wrapped in Gratitude

Earlier this month, I promised to update everyone on my progress with NaNoWriMo. Here’s the latest: I've made slim progress in my numbers and I’m not going to win NaNoWriMo. (Now what am I going to write for the rest of this post…!)

Last week I had lunch with a former classmate who is an successful, published author and we talked writing. She offered to be a reader for one of my works, which I’ve been fiddling with for too long. Her offer touched me because my manuscript is the biggest hurdle I see in front of my progress for other writing projects.

Then I went on a walk with one of my NaNoWriMo buddies. I asked about her progress—going great!—and she kindly dismissed my sheepish response when she asked after mine. I easily received her encouragement—not for increasing my word count, but for the act of writing.

Both encounters blew me away.

Graphic credit | EKHumphrey

Not because I didn’t expect if from such fabulous writers, but because I realized how grateful I am that I have such supportive friends who happen to be writers…and that they always seem to know the right, reassuring words to say.

My focus on NaNoWriMo was to make progress in my writing. In so many ways, I’ve made progress. It just hasn’t been in word count.

The past month I’ve spent time thinking and writing that I wouldn’t have had a chance to if I hadn’t even thought about joining a writing marathon. It made me push my boundaries to talk about my work with others, including WOW! readers.

Even without a hefty word count, November has given me fabulous opportunities to reiterate the value of writing and being with other writers.

I’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving and NaNoWriMo ends in a couple of days. This seems to be a perfect day to show gratitude for many things, especially our writing lives, friends, WOW! and The Muffin, and all of our works in progress. That’s what I’ll be doing...while throwing in a side of writing!

What writerly things are you grateful for?

Elizabeth King Humphrey is a writer, editor, and teacher. Her free guide, Harmonizing: Find and Communicate to Your Audience, helps health and wellness professionals communicate with their potential clients.