Inspired by another thread I saw recently. For this thread, I have two parts to this. What are you grateful for:

  • on Beehaw? - Anything you like about this community, an interaction you appreciated, something that brightened your day, an aspect of site culture that appeals to you, etc.

  • offline/in real life? - Just more generally, what are you thankful for? Anything that’s happened in your life recently that has turned out to be good, people making a positive difference in your life, etc.

  • pumerogo@beehaw.orgEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    On Beehaw

    I’m new here, so I don’t know much about this community, but I’m really grateful for how welcoming everybody is! The “no down votes” is such a nice thing, I really love it and am more conscious about what I upvote. I’m surprised and grateful for this thread. It’s such a nice thing to do, practicing gratitude and encouraging others to do so. Also, it seems to be so easy to comment or post here in comparison to other platforms. It feels like one belongs to the community.

    In real life

    I’m grateful for being able to write. I was editing my last novel(s) for so long that I feared that I would’ve completely forgotten how to actually write something new. Of course that is not true, but feelings are feelings. I recently started another story and it flows well, I like the characters and I’m feeling like writing all the time. (Of course, I am still procrastinating here, but a little bit procrastinating is healthy!) Also, I’m grateful for my partner who always has my back and supports me in my creative endeavors. And of course I’m grateful for being healthy, having a roof above my head and enough to eat.

    Thanks for making me thing about all that! :)

    • dynamism@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Thanks for sharing! My brother just finished the first draft of his big honkin’ fantasy novel (167,000 words) last week. Watching him work gave me such an appreciation for the effort it takes to write and edit! I don’t know that I would ever have the discipline for something like that.

      Question for you: how do you find time and energy to write/edit? I’m assuming you have a full-time job. My brother’s just starting his career and mentioned how draining it was to work a full 9-6, get home at 7, and then only have 5 hours to himself before the next day begins. In my own life, I’ve found that creativity is almost impossible when just going through the motions takes up 90% of my energy. Admittedly, I’m an essayist and poet, not a novelist. My projects take days to weeks, not months and years. Would love to share some advice with him from another long-form writer.