I’m still on a “high” for the Chicago Writes Conference this past weekend. I’m invigorated by the little things people said. Like “late bloomer” tweetthis] author Eric Charles May, who said, no one says ‘how are you going to make money gardening?’ when gardening is what you love to do. If you love to write, write. [/tweetthis] Thank you Eric Charles May. And Laurie Scheer, who said she thought she could get five queries out a day, and she found she was lucky if she got five a week out. I feel so much better. Laurie also said, the media is hungry for writers, if you’re not getting published it’s you. Maybe that could sound discouraging, but for me it’s a shot in the arm. I just need to keep at it. It’s just a matter of time. Monday morning greets me with so very much that I know I can accomplish.
So here’s my list in no particular order. Well, I take that back, the first one is my number one:
[icon name=”pencil” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Wonderful, supportive friends, like Geri, who let me borrow her apartment in Chicago. Every day I walked through Millennium Park on my way to and from the conference. Every night I viewed Navy Pier and the last weekend of the giant ferris wheel. Oh how lovely.
[icon name=”heart” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Supportive and new friends at the conference. I found myself thinking, I’ve found my tribe. Well, I’m in more than one tribe, I guess, because that’s far from a new feeling.
[icon name=”bell-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Weddings. Two this weekend. One within driving distance. So great to connect to family. One in Texas. We sent CoCo as our representative. She flew solo into Dallas, to be greeted by family members there. I’m so blessed to have such love in my life.
[icon name=”bell-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Mums blooming a reminder of a year gone by. Last September, I planted the mums we had peppered all over the yard for Wrestler #1’s wedding. They now bloom a cheerful “happy anniversary” for all to see.
[icon name=”pencil” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] A new writing gig. Yes, indeed. A technical writing opportunity that blossomed with the mums. Yay!
[icon name=”pencil” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] A positive outcome of the conference’s “Pitchfest.” Two agents gave me positive feedback and one requested a sample. Please keep your fingers crossed and rosary beads in hand. I have good feeling about this.
[icon name=”heart” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Sorry to bore you with this last one: Loved-One. He makes me laugh, he holds my hand, and he does the laundry when I’m away learning how to be a better writer.
As always, please hop over to Laurel’s Alphabet Salad for more Gratitude Lists. It’s a wonderful way to start the week.
