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November 25, 2010

The Best Reason to Blog

Thanksgiving Candle

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S.  The day we eat too much food, roll our eyes at the antics of our extended family, and think about all the things we’re grateful for.  Or in my case, have epiphanies.

So there I was, trying to think about my manuscript’s last-minute revisions while taking my shower, when my muse ambushed me with thoughts for this post instead.  (Yes, he’s a perv.)  I tried to ignore him, reminding him that I have a deadline for submitting my manuscript to RWA’s Golden Heart contest and that getting published is very important to me.

But then he said something that stopped me cold:  Do you know why it’s important? His voice was so smug, in a I-know-something-you-don’t kind of way, I scoffed with my reply:  Of course I do. (Yes, I have fully formed conversations with my muse, don’t you?)  The arrogant jerk laughed—my own muse laughed at me!—and said:  If you truly understood, you’d know why your blog is important too.

And you know what?  He’s right.  *sigh*  I’ll never live this down.

Why Do I Blog?

You.

My ultimate dream for my novels is that my words would touch someone and make a difference in their lives.  I want people to learn something about themselves, their relationships, their priorities—their life.  Maybe they’ll appreciate their family a little bit more.  Maybe they’ll feel happier about their circumstances.  Or maybe they’ll be a smidgen more forgiving.

However it manifests, I would be happy if people read my words and found them helpful in some way.  And my arrogant muse (who I really should name at some point) made me realize I’ve already reached that goal with this blog.  Because of you.

I haven’t had this blog for very long, and I’ve already gotten comments, tweets, and emails from people thanking me for helping them.  Me.  Little ol’ me.  I’ve been making a difference with this blog.

Well, call me stunned.  And touched.  And teary.  So if anyone wonders if I’m sincere when I talk about the awesome writing community, if I really care about the people I reach out to, if I mean it when I tweet my Yay‘s or *hugs*—or if I’m just faking it—believe.  Just believe.  Or I’ll have to get even more mushy.

So this Thanksgiving, I’m grateful to my muse, even though he’s a pain in the butt much of the time.  I’m grateful to my extended family, who try to be supportive, even though they think I’m crazier than I really am.  I’m grateful to my writing partners who push me to be better than I thought possible.  I’m endlessly grateful to my family for believing in me and sharing my dreams.

And I’m grateful to you for making this worth it.

What are you grateful for?  How has the writing community touched you?  Have they kept you from quitting?  Have they helped you reach your goals?

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Jami's Tech Guy

Hi Jami,

So inquiring minds want to know, will you set out a plate for your muse? And does he prefer pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie?

Wonderful post as always! We’re thankful for you too! Have a great Thanksgiving & enjoy the time with your family!

As always, I’ll be sneaking online to make sure your blog is running well and that your kind words are available for the entire world to read.

-TG
@jaytechdad

Joanna St. James

That is a nice techie you have up there Jami.
I was thinking we should name him Herb, Herb the Perv think he would like it?

Elaine

That is soo sweet – no need to the extra dollop of thankfully mushy, I appreciate reading and learning 🙂

Murphy

Nice Post! Hope you had a great Thanks-giving. Man, I missed everything…hope the next holiday is better.

M.

Darcy Peal
Darcy Peal

A kind word, gesture, a smile or even the help that you give with your blog goes far further than most people realize.

Say I take the time to smile and hold the door for someone at the mall. That persons attitude changes a little and she passes it on. Instead of going home and yelling at her husband she smiles and gives him a hug. His troubles from his day at work don’t seem so bad anymore. The next morning he slows down to let a car in front of him. That person does something kind for someone else, and on and on it goes…

I spend a great deal of time helping others with words on the Internet, and smiles when I’m out and about.

Your blog helps me for no particular benefit to yourself, yet it changes how I think. I value your kind and free advice and I pay it forward.

Never forget how many lives you really effect with your blog as it daisy chains itself around the world.

THANK YOU JAMI !

Kristin Nador

Thank you, Jami, for your blog. I always learn something and hopefully apply to my own life in some way. Happy Thanksgiving to you and the muse. Somehow he sounds like a Jeremy to me. Not sure why, but I’ll bet he tells you his own name, probably right when you’re in the middle of an important meeting or some such. Sounds like something Jeremy, I mean, (insert muse name here) would do. lol

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