Monday, November 5, 2012

Motivational Monday/And a Blog Hop!


Q: IF YOU HAVE ONE PIECE OF SUCCINCT ADVICE TO GIVE TO AN ASPIRING AUTHOR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

A: READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON, THEN ANSWER BACK

(10Q with Joshilyn Jackson, Faster than Kudzu blog)

As readers, we're continuing a conversation started by another author and their story. We're listening, absorbing, responding in some way, whether it's laughing or crying or sending an email letting the author know we did a little of both.

As writers, we're starting a new conversation, using our words, our stories. And if we're very lucky - as I am - a reader, maybe more than one, will hear us.

To say I am thankful for my readers would be an understatement. Some of you I know in the "real world" and some I know through the "blog world" and some I don't know at all and probably never will but without all of you, there is no conversation. Without you, the words I speak out loud, the ones I try to put in the best and strongest order, the ones that rattle around my quiet office, have no need to land, either on screen or on paper. Without all of you, my stories are shackled to the page, the ink pinning them instead of only tethering them and letting them float up, an offering.

As a reader, I am thankful for the writers. As a writer, I am thankful for you all, the readers. Let's keep these conversation going strong...and maybe start some new ones.

What writers and readers are you all thankful for? Give a shout out in the comments if you'd like.


(And thanks to Tara and Vikki for running this Blog Hop. Check out more participants' posts here.

21 comments:

  1. You're right - without readers there is no conversation. We're talking to ourselves. I guess we could answer back, but that would be weird.

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  2. Alex - as someone who talks to herself a good chunk of the time, yes, it is weird. :)

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  3. Great post, as ever. I'm grateful for anyone who reads something of mine and, painful as it can sometimes be, anyone who comments or offers feedback.

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  4. Beautiful way to thank your admirers, Madeline. I'm glad I blog with you!

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  5. Simon - I hear you re feedback and comments. It might hurt but it's usually for our own good. No pain, no gain, right? :)

    Emily - thank you! I'm glad I blog with you, too.

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  6. lets keep the conversation going! awesome!
    and i'm thankful for the internet that makes it all possible!
    glad you joined us & your words on my blog brought me a tear! thanks!!

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  7. I love this. Yes! Let's keep the convo going strong. =)

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  8. This is such a great way to thank those who support and encourage you!

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  9. Tara - you're very welcome! Thanks for co-hosting this blog hop.

    E - yes! Let's definitely keep the conversation going between writers and readers.

    Sherry - glad you liked it! :)

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  10. What a lovely post and what descrptive words - stories shackled to the page. Very visual. Thank you for joining in the bloghop.

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  11. VikLit - thank you for co-hosting the blog hop. It's been fun! :)

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  12. Reading is vital! That's a great thank you. I'm so thankful for the wonderful writing community.

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  13. Christine - what would we do without this blogging/writing/reading community?! :)

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  14. We need our readers to continue the conversation because it's a two-way street. Otherwise, we writers are just talking to ourselves.

    Great post! :)

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  15. Cathy - although, I do talk to myself. A lot. :)

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  16. You're one of the readers/bloggers I'm thankful for! I'm so glad to have met you here in the blogosphere. :)

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  17. Julie - thank you so much! And right back at you! :)

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  18. Yes, I have to agree with those who've commented ahead of me--I'm thankful for you, Madeline. I enjoy your quotes and Larry and Mrs. Larry and your short (and long)writing.

    And I kinda think we'll meet one day--it could happen. ;-)

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  19. I'm mostly glad I started my blog in the first place, so that I could meet such great people. The amount of support and advice and friendship I've found within the writing community is beyond words. I didn't take part in this blogfest because of my NaNo attempt, but I love the sentiment!

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  20. Leigh - thank you!

    Cathy - thank you so much! And I bet we'll meet one day, too - GA isn't too far from FL. :)

    Annalisa - I am so grateful, too, for the writers and readers I've met through blogging. Good luck with NaNo!

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