A Grateful Writer

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Fall is one of my favorite seasons. The colors of the leaves enchant me. The cooler temperatures allow me to turn inward and settle into a good story--either my own or someone else's. Everything says that it's time to be thankful for what I have, so I'd like to take this post and list a few of my reasons for thanksgiving this year.

• My mother is home after a few trips to the hospital and doing better.
• I pitched two agents at the Surrey International Writers Conference and both requested a submission--one a full and the other a partial. These requests are on their way.
• My husband and the pups are doing well and make my life easier and more fun.
• My best writing buddies and I planned for one and half years  to meet up at Surrey and pulled it off. From all over the world, we were able to congregate fourteen of our seventeen members for five days of amazing camaraderie and fun. Without these ladies, I'd not be submitting stories to agents and contests. So, I'd like to dedicate this post to the ladies who share the journey. Long may we write!

The Ladies!

With Diana Gabaldon

• I got to meet many of my buddies from the Books and Writers

  

  Jackie, Nan, and Cat

  Forum.

Taylor, Beth, and Veronica

Me, Taylor, and Beth

The Forum Gang!

With Aven

More of the B&W Crew!

Beautiful Surrey and Snow in the Rockies!

The next post will be in two weeks. See you on December 7 with another post from #IWSG.

The Book Pusher's November Gratefulness, Part 2

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I know you still need to buy a few Christmas gifts and I'm grateful for the good books I can share to finish your list off. Enjoy!

LETTERS FROM PARIS Juliet Blackwell: Women's Fiction

When two women, both searching for identity and separated by a century, are united by a mysterious letters, you have a fabulous new book by Juliet Blackwell. This one is a charmer. Must Read.

I LIKE YOU JUST FINE WHEN YOU'RE NOT AROUND Ann Garvin: Women's Fiction

Throw in job loss, a mother's dementia, an absentee boyfriend, and a sister's abandoned newborn, and you have Tig Monahan's life. Ann Garner's wise, warm, and wonderful story will have you turning the pages.

FLOWERS FROM THE STORM Laura Kinsale: Historical Romance

A classic romance by a master wordsmith! The fraught love of Christian and Maddy will keep you turning the pages, rooting for their marriage. Some scenes are on the spicy side.

LINNY'S SWEET DREAM LIST Susan Schild: Women's Fiction

(first in the Willow Hill series) With gentle truth, excellent characters, and a sure touch with story, Schild kicks off her debut and will warm you heart.

SWEET CAROLINA MORNING Susan Schild: Women's Fiction

Book 2 of Schild's Willow Hill series picks up almost where Linny's Sweet Dream List left off and continues the sweet, warm, and engaging life of Linny Taylor Jack Avery, and their families and friends.

Next Week: My Thanksgiving Gratefulness Post!

The Book Pusher: November Gratefulness: K. Callihan, D. Chamberlain, D. Gabldon, C. Kline

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FOREVERMORE Kristen Callihan: Paranormal Historical Romance

Forevermore is a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to Callihan's Darkest London series. Remember, these are on the spicy side.

NECESSARY LIES Diane Chamberlain: Women's Fiction

True stories create the most fascinating fiction as exemplified by Diane Chamberlain's harrowing and, in the end, hopeful story of the sad history of North Carolina's history. Social worker Jane Forrester uncovers a travesty based on a little known part of history. In her capable hands, there's hope for healing at the end.

VOYAGER Diana Gabaldon: Historical Fiction with a touch of SF

Trust me--you want to read all of Diana Gabaldon's books. This is the third in her OUTLANDER series. It encompasses the end and aftermath of the Rising of 1745 in the Scottish Highlands, Claire Fraser's need to find her husband, Jamie, and so much more. This is a must read in a series of must reads. Start at the first with OUTLANDER. You won't be disappointed by Gabaldon's lyrical prose, gripping stories, and deeply drawn characters.

ORPHAN TRAIN Christina Baker Kline: Women's Historcial Fiction

How I've neglected to read this one before now is a mystery, but I'm thrilled I read it. At its heart, Orphan Train is a story of two foster children whose travels and journey mirror each others even though eighty-two years apart. A must read.

Next Week: Links!

IWSG: What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

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Insecure Writers Support Group

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Our Co-Sponsor's this month are:
Joylene Nowell Butler
Jen Chandler
Mary Aalgaar
 Lisa Buie Collard
Tamara Narayan
Tyrean Martinson
Christine Rains

What is your favorite aspect of writing?

For once there is no short answer. ;-) How can there be when writing is such a huge part of my life? I've thought about this question a lot and I keep coming back to one answer--other writers. Not storytelling--which is a major love of mine--or sharing my words with others. No, my favorite thing is other writers. Those people who get this craving that has so fulfilled my life. I can't tell you how much the people at the Books and Writers Forum mean to me. Or how important the Women's Fiction Writers Association is.

But when I get to the heart of it, I have to come home to the group who supports me, loves my stories, and can be most instructive with their critiques. These are the people who I turn to when the story goes awry. When I can't find words. When I need to cry over the darlings I've had to murder. They are also the people who planned for a year and a half to converge from all over the world at the Surrey International Writers Conference two weeks ago. Even though, three of our group couldn't make it, we kept in touch with them via Facebook. One sent a care box all the way from Australia full of Tim Tams and personalized notes and selections from our writing. There are no words that can express what these friends mean to me. They keep me writing. They keep me honest. And most of all, they are fabulous people who tell amazing stories.

Go, SOC, Go!

Next Week: The first of two November Book Reviews!