10 Reasons for Writers to Be Grateful

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Writers are weird. We know this. We embrace this. 

So why should we be surprised that a writer’s take on gratitude would be anything…normal? 

Today, I present to you some of the things I’m jotting down this month as I focus on gratitude. I like to keep my gratitude journal entries short and sweet, but for you, I’ll elaborate…just a little! 

10 Things a Writer Can Be Grateful For

1. The delete key. 

Ah, the beloved delete key. The magic eraser of plot holes and purple prose. Where would we be without you? 

2. Permission to eavesdrop? Granted. 

Is it really rude if it’s research? I don’t think so. 

3. Imaginary Friends. 

In what other job is it not only acceptable but encouraged to have not just one but many, many imaginary friends? 

4. Mischief Managed.

If I went around unaliving people on a regular basis in real life, that would be frowned upon. Okay, that would put me in jail. But I’ve blown people up, run people over, and thrown people off bri…no, wait, I haven’t done that…yet. 

5. Wonderful Weirdness. 

Y’all, before I started writing, there really wasn’t an excuse for me. But now? When I do something weird, I can just say, “I’m a writer,” and it all makes sense! 

6. Notebooks, Journals, and Pens. 

Because having a stationery obsession is perfectly acceptable behavior. 

7. Introvert Powers Activated

The holidays are coming up. And has there ever been a better excuse for escaping a party (or, you know, maybe a family gathering) with, “So sorry to dash, but I’m on a deadline”? I think not.

8. The Muse.

The muse can be everything from an excuse to a dream client. Can’t get any words written? The muse is silent. Writing non-stop? The muse won’t shut up. Just had the best idea of your life? Okay, that’s all you, baby. Don’t give the muse credit for everything! 

9. Search History Shenanigans. 

Did she research arsenic for her book or for some other reason? We’ll never know. 

10. Coffee. Chocolate. Comfy pajamas.

Because who can create when they are cold, tired, and uncomfortable? Not me. But I don’t have to! I can drink coffee, feed the muse with chocolate, and work from the comfort of my own house. I don’t even have to get dressed! This is something to be truly thankful for. 

What would you add to the list? 

Grace and peace,

Lynn

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Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat, Malicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she's sitting at home in her pajamas! She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at www.lynnhblackburn.com.