Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

The other day, C. Hope Clark wrote a post called "Why Bother?" and it was about the doubt a lot of writers often experience.  My favorite part was where she talked about readers taking the time to let writers know how much the writers' words meant, how that one comment could be the thing to keep that writer going.

I experienced this myself just the other day - in two different ways.  I'm in between writing projects, feeling a little lost and unsure and uncertain (big surprise!) when my husband tells me I better get a pen and my signing hand ready.  Someone he used to work with made a special trip to his new office to drop off three (yes, three!) copies of Hint Fiction: An Anthology in 25 Words or Fewer for me to sign for gifts she was giving to some big readers in her life.  In that one moment she managed to make my day - probably the rest of my year, too.

Over the last few evenings, my husband had barricaded himself in his home office, working on a secret Christmas gift for me.  All I knew was that scissors and tape were involved.  (This worried me because neither my husband nor I are very artsy-craftsy but since no blood was shed, I figured it was okay.)  Well, he couldn't wait until Christmas so I got one of my gifts - one of the best gifts! - early.  My husband had made me a Hint Fiction collage!  It had quotes from some of the reviews, pictures of the book's cover and of my story and of where we saw it on the shelves in two bookstores.  It also had a picture of Larry and Mrs. Larry reading/eating it.  Now, every time I look at it, I not only see my husband's love and pride, but I'm also reminded of something I am truly proud of accomplishing. 

This holiday season, I wish all my fellow readers the joy of great stories and the knowledge that you too have the power, the gift, of using your own words to make the day/week/month/year of a writer whose work you enjoy. For all my fellow writers, I wish you the joy of acknowledgment and encouragement and support. 

Happy Festivus, everyone!

4 comments:

  1. What a guy! And for you, what a glorious moment, signing books!

    May your holiday be bright and your New Year write! :-)

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  2. He really is the best!

    I hope you have a great holiday, too, Cathy, and I hope all of us have a "write" New Year! (Love that, by the way!)

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