Supporters…Not Just For Athletes Anymore

I’ve got my pen and paper—those are the writing implements that appeared somewhere between cave paintings and computers. I’ve got my ideas. I’ve got my reference books. I’ve got my coffee. That should be everything I need to write the masterpiece that will one day be compared to the works of Shakespeare…but it isn’t. I, personally, need one more thing. Fortunately, I have been blessed with that one more thing. I have supporters.

While writing is generally considered a lonely career, most writers are not truly alone. The lucky ones have a support system in place that helps them through those moments when sanity appears fleeting. On this Thanksgiving Day, I would like to take a moment and let my support team know how grateful I am for all they do. (I won’t be mentioning names for fear of leaving someone out, but you will know who you are.)

I have a wonderful support team where I work that I really appreciate. If it wasn’t for my boss helping me set up my blog, you wouldn’t be reading this now. His technical advice and suggestions have been invaluable. My coworkers are also a big part of my site. Aside from being faithful readers, they are quick to get the word out to others about the downjotter’s little corner of the information highway.

To my friends, including those among my fellow fan fiction writers, I am grateful for all of the encouragement and constructive criticism. I’m even thankful you took the time to nitpick my work.

My family has to be the strongest of my supports. As far back as I can remember, my parents have been there to support me (in all ways) in everything I wanted to do. Even when I had no idea what I wanted to do, they were still there for me. I have two siblings (one of each) who, aside from our many adventures together, have always been a source of encouragement. When they married (not each other,) I gained a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law as part of my support team.

A quick note about my brother-in-law. A lot of what I’m doing is his fault. He is the one who first suggested I take a writing course.

I’ve also got a wonderful group of supporters made up of my wife’s side of the family. They have taken me into their homes and their hearts.

And speaking of my wife, I could not have asked for a better helpmate. She is my pillar, my main support. I’ll not waste your time telling you how important she is to my writing and to me. All I will say is that she is the reason I am pushing myself to be better than what I have been before.

I hope as you read this you are as fortunate as I am. I hope that, in all you do, you have as wonderful a support team as I do. And I hope you let them know how thankful you are to them for all they do.

Thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Just thought I would jot this down.