The Best Reason to Blog — 2020 Edition

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

Of course, in the fourteen-bazillionth year of the pandemic (or maybe it just feels that way), nothing about this year is normal. Many of us have scaled back our gatherings, and it might be hard to find the energy or motivation to celebrate.

Despite all that, this Thanksgiving post—where I express what I’m grateful for when it comes to my blog—has been an annual tradition on my blog:

• Ten years ago, I revealed that the best reason for me to blog is all of you.
• Nine years ago reiterated that point with my gratitude for all the friends I’ve made via blogging and social media.
• Eight years ago, I confessed my love of the blogging format because of the connections possible.
• Seven years ago, I revealed that blogging for you pushes me—in a good way.
• Six years ago, I expressed my gratitude for the connections we make despite meeting only online.
• Five years ago, I noted how much sharing those connections added meaning to my life.
• Four years ago, I talked about how our connections with online friends can help fill in the holes left when real-life family or friends don’t understand us or stand divided from us.
• Three years ago, I shared my gratitude for how much all of you—even if all you’re doing is reading my posts—encourage me.
• Two years ago, I expressed that your support helped me feel like my best was enough.
• And last year, even a house flood didn’t stop me—thanks to your help—as we all cheer and support each other through the commonalities of our journeys in the writing community.

And as I wrap up this tradition after ten years, it’s no surprise that all of you are still the best reason to blog! *smile*

Milestones to Celebrate

Despite this year’s struggles, I hope we all find something to celebrate or be thankful for through this holiday season. (Even if, for some of us, that just means that we survived the year—that’s accomplishment enough!)

For me, this year was marked by several major milestones and changes:

• I hit 10 years of blogging on a twice-a-week schedule, meaning I have over 1000 writing and publishing advice posts. Wow!
• After that anniversary, I switched to a flexible blogging schedule to give myself a well-earned break. *whew* (Be sure to sign up for my Blog Post newsletter to get my whenever-they-happen updates.)
• My site was recognized as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by the gold standard of the industry, Writer’s Digest. Yay!

That last bullet is quite a milestone for me, as WD’s list of 101 sites includes everything from writing-focused YouTube channels to agent websites. Their section on Best Writing Advice Websites (where this site is listed) includes only 16 sites, so I’m thrilled to be mentioned among that exclusive list. *grin*

What We Accomplish with Other’s Help

Most important to me, however, is the knowledge that I never would have gained that recognition without your support…

• Without you, I wouldn’t have been so dedicated with my blogging.

• Without your questions, I wouldn’t have been inspired to come up with so many tools and worksheets.

• And without your recommendations and shares of my links, I wouldn’t have built up the reputation to reach WD’s ears.

So thank you, truly, for all your support and help over the years! With my new flexible blogging schedule, I don’t want to ever fill your inbox with unimportant “fluff,” but consider this post an extra-special thank you letter…just for you. *smile*

Unfortunately, my health issues have cropped up again over the last several months (I fell down the stairs, and the resulting inflamed nerves affected my mobility *sigh*). So I haven’t made as much progress as I had hoped to with the projects that I’ve been working on behind the scenes. (Hint: I’m working to bring you even more resources and help for your writing. *grin*) But I have made some progress, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, I hope you also manage to find something to be thankful for as we head into the holiday season, whether that’s finishing up NaNoWriMo or just enjoying this weekend. And I hope you know how much I value you—yes, you. Thank you! *hugs internet*

Happy Thanksgiving to my U.S. readers
and Happy Thursday to everyone else. *smile*

How have you done at surviving this year? Do you have anything to celebrate or be thankful for? Knowing that others can help us accomplish things, is there anything you’d like to ask for help or support for? Do you have any wishes for what you’d still like to accomplish with what’s left of the year? Is there anything we can cheer you on for?