#GiveMas
This
week on the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show one of the hosts Jenna Owens
talked about how she’s at the point in her life where she doesn’t really want
presents. If she wants something, she just goes and buys it herself. But what
she does value from her friends is time spent together because in their busy
lives that seems to get rarer and rarer.
So
this year Jenna is spending quality time with each of her friends while they go
do something to give back to the community. They decided on working at a soup
kitchen for this first year and even coined the hashtag #GiveMas for anyone
else who wants to share what they will be doing this season toward less
spending, more giving.
This
struck a chord with me because the limited time I get to spend with my sisters,
my friends, my critique partners (who have become my sisters and friends), and
all of you at NT is time I cherish above any tangible gift.
(Not
that I don’t like presents. Who doesn’t?)
I’m
beyond excited to see as many of you as can make it to our Holiday party. Some
of you I haven’t seen for a long time as circumstances have made it hard to
come out through the rest of the year.
But
whether you make it or not, my “intangible” gifts to you all, besides the
giving of my time, are these:
(This
is the part where you pretend I’m the #GiveMas fairy, waving my magical wand
over your collective heads.)
To
you, er, I mean, y’all, I give:
An
abundance of creativity and story ideas.
Continued
joy and enthusiasm in the day to day craft of writing.
Confidence
that what you are writing is good. Really good. Your work has paid off.
Hidden
pockets of extra time to pursue your dreams.
The
understanding to measure your success by whatever standard you define it for
yourself.
Good
writer friends to surround you with encouragement and knowledge from their own
experiences.
Along
with empathy and wisdom to do the same for others.
And
finally, the courage and perseverance to continue the journey on whichever path
or paths you decide to take.
Have a
most wonderful excellent Holiday Season! It’s been my pleasure and honor to
serve you this year!
Clover
Autrey
NTRWA
President 2014
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| Critique Partner Michelle |
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| CPs Jen and Gina |
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| CP Chrissy |
