I’m sad to report that Summer’s just about over. Soon the kids will be back in school, agents and editors are gearing up for a busy fall, the weather will gradually start turning cold (or hot! Hello, Southern Hemisphere!), and we will soon be learning about the exploits of bizarre people on reality television shows of questionable quality. I’m always a bit sad to see summer go.
So on this-here blog I thought we could have a week of appreciation for a very special and important person: the writer. (And yes, this may mean you.)
Nearly everyone I’ve ever met in my entire life has thought at one time or another about writing a book. There is a widespread belief that everyone has a book in them, that if we could quit our jobs and set aside enough time under a shade tree with a pen and paper we too could be the next Ernest Hemingway. Or at least the next J.K. Rowling. How hard could it be, right???
As anyone who has actually tried to write a book knows: it’s hard. Really really hard.
And as the recent blog reader survey shows, most of you have written at least one novel and just about everyone has tried, meaning you have done something that millions out there haven’t: you went for it.
You made the leap of faith, put pen to paper, devoted hours and hours and hours to building a world, and after months of hard work and sweat and blood and tears, those of you that finished had something to be rightly proud of: a manuscript.
Then you find out that the writing was the easy part.
It’s sometimes a thankless pursuit with uncertain odds, so this week: let’s hear it for the writers out there, published and unpublished. We’ll have a series of posts in appreciation of writers, those people who give us hours of entertainment, unsurpassed knowledge, and untold insight.
Hug a writer!
Here here.
Oh wow, this is way cool. 🙂 Yeah writers!!
Hugs are always good. Especially if it comes with an agency or publishing contract.
In my "Origin Series," a fantasy romance book, I managed to outline three books in the series, and am writing book one, "The Rose Door." It is very hard because my own artistic mind would like it and then later chastise me for even thinking it's comparable to J.K. Rowling or Tolkein. Then, I would like it again. It's a vicious circle. And it's hard locking myself in my little office with the sun shining outside, the house a mess, and "Criminal Minds" calling me to the television. Still, it's worth writing because I enjoy writing. I am happy to be plugging through the dreaded middle of a novel and knowing I CAN do this.
I attended the start-of-year party of an MFA program this weekend, and looking around at all the new students, I thought they seemed so vulnerable. They looked like they could use a hug. I'm going to suggest my teacher friends make it part of the workshops.
We writers sweat blood over the keyboard, grabbing words from nowhere, and hoping to bring our readers on an unknown adventure.
Wow, thank you, Nathan. I'm dog-tired today, and sad to see summer go. I am, however, looking forward to going back to work on the final revisions of my latest novel next week, and appreciate the very positive words of your post today. Here’s to all the writers out there! And here’s to Nathan for adding a bit of sunshine to the world of writers!
Okay, now I need a T-shirt that says "hug a writer". Although… it could make my day sort of awkward with all of the random embraces
Since I've just started writing my first (bad) novel I shall go ahead and hug myself.
Wheee
Ah, Summer, you duel edged tempest… The sun doth shineth, but it also baketh those of us w/o AC… Of course, the gloom of perpetual cloud cover awaits us here in the beautiful PNW… but, hey, at least I won't have to water the clematis anymore.
I'm a bit more hands off, so I'll settle on a wink and a nod for my fellow AITs (authors in training who happen to live on their own little islands).
And I second Marilyn's shout out for your efforts to contribute to our general wellbeing.
What a sweet post! Virtual hugs to you, NB. I can only imagine the struggles you've gone through to become an agent, just as we have to be writers. The publishing world in any form is a tough road to travel. I have total respect for writers, agents, editors and everyone in between.
xoxo — Hilary
I for one am glad to see the summer come to an end. This is not (just) because I am in San Antonio, which has enjoyed 58 days of 100+ degree heat this summer, but because it means my two darling children are off to school. And that means I can get back to the full-time job of being a writer! (Not the part-time, sneak-it-in-when-they're-not-looking job of being a writer and a parent.) Thanks for the post and the encouragement, Nathan!
I just hugged myself.
I tried to hug cormac McCarthy. He spit in my face. God I love him!
Nathan … this is why you rock!!!
Great timing Nathan! I'm re-writing my synopsis today and I could sure use a hug. 😉
Although having my first two short stories published in one week is sort of a hug on its own…
Keep writing, people!
Here! Here!
Awesome! Yay Writer Appreciation Week!
Mmm… Thanks. That felt good!
Thank you, Nathan, for writing all your helpful posts. You are a writer in every sense of the word! I can only speak for myself, but you have taught me a lot with your own writing!
Teresa
I choose to take your week very personally, in the best possible way, as someone who makes a living writing and, for all the ups and downs, wouldn't want any other life.
Thanks for the acknowledgement.
I'm not much of a hugger (to quote MAD MEN, "my people are Nordic") – how about "Buy a writer a beer!" week?
Nathan. what a wonderful idea. It would be amzing if you used this week to raise soe of the serious issues around publishing and social exclusion. There are vast sectors of society who aren't able to reach teh same critical audience as the published mainstream not because of lack of talent or even lack of the means to get a story out there, but because of the institutional and structural barriers to them (query letters favour those whose lives mean it's possible for them to find out and practice how to write queries, for example – neither use nor ornament for someone in the shanties of Sao Paolo). At the moment the literary world doesn't celebrate all writers equally. Responses to my recent blog on the subject (http://agnieszkasshoes.blogspot.com/2009/08/from-pitch-to-perpetuationof-privilege.html) show many don't even understand there's a problem. You're in a wonderful position to change people's perspective.
A little bit of encouragement can go a long way. This is a neat idea.
Keep writing!
Yay for writers! The most thankless, difficult, undervalued job in the world.
Note the question: So, what do you do?
Answer: I write.
Reply: No, really. What do you do?
::hugs everyone::
Yay! *gives herself a hug*
Thanks, Nathan! The sun is shining, my fridge is empty, my hair is dirty, and words are only coming out of me in awkward, little hiccups. Today the air hug is much appreciated!
Hey NikoleHahn – I know what you mean. I used to have a love hate relationship with my writing too. But the longer you write, the better it gets, and those little negative voices become quieter and quieter.
Nice idea and I'm looking forward to the posts.
Oooh – wait, I'm with Other Lisa. Skip the hug, send a beer instead!
Hugs to everyone and thanks to Nathan!
Thanks Nathan – and hugs to all you writers out there!
I'm okay with the end of Summer as Fall is my favorite season. Bring on the football and slightly chilled air.
Ahhh that's so sweet!!!
Aw, Nathan. Aren't you sweet.
Hooray for the pubbed and the pre-pubbed! We're a crazy lot, but we love deeply.
🙂
G.
I second Marilyn's words…
Wow, thank you, Nathan. Wow, thank you, Nathan. I'm dog-tired today, and sad to see summer go. I am, however, looking forward to going back to work on the final revisions of my latest novel next week, and appreciate the very positive words of your post today. Here’s to all the writers out there! And here’s to Nathan for adding a bit of sunshine to the world of writers!
I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks, Marilyn!
Oh, and as with Precision Grace (what a great blogger name!), I have to hug myself… seeing as how I'm the only writer in the room at the moment. Unless you count my kitty – I bet she has a mean novel inside her, too! She always seems to be scheming about something…
Yes, Cheers to every writer! A celebration to the creativity within men and women, boys and girls. Rousing applause to everyone who dared to daydream and say "what if?" when others considered it a waste of time. Writers were exploring new lands and even other worlds, leaving culture and science to follow in their wake. Writers are creative pioneers! Every writer is continuing in this honorable undertaking and keeping alive the heritage.
Amen. This comes at a good time for, I think, a lot of people.
My hug is a commiserating one. I don't want to write, but I have to write struggle erase rearrange delete rewrite. I would not have chosen this.
I was meant to be an athlete. Somebody made a mistake. I want my money back!
Nathan,
Thank you so much. And thank you to the other authors out there as well; I'm not just a writer I'm a reader, so I appreciate the amazing selection out there (and things that would be great to see published) written by all different kinds of writers.
Well, when I first saw this post, I thought to myself, wow. Just how popular does Nathan want to be?
I decided pretty popular.
Then I thought, but wait. This doesn't apply to me. I don't write, remember? But then I remembered that my neon grean jealousy of Other Lisa motivated me to push past my relentless writer's block, and write this weekend. And sure, it was only 15 minutes before I caved, but still, it means that this post does apply to me! Yay!
So, since it applies to me, I thought, awwww, this is heartwarming. Nathan is trying to acknowledge the writer in a way that the industry doesn't. What a sweetheart.
And then I thought, right. The industry doesn't. And then I got really, really mad that every day isn't writer's appreciation day in the publishing industry.
And then I wrote this post.
I hope everyone appreciates that I wrote this.
Anyway, I think where I'm ending up is that you're a sweetheart, Nathan. Thanks.
I'm with OtherLisa and Steph D. While I love hugs – and did, in fact, just hug myself (no, for real!) – I'd like a beer, too. Sam Adams' Cherry Wheat is a good choice for the summer-fall transition.
And while I'm sad to see summer go ('cause it means I'll soon be leaving the peace and quiet of northern Michigan for the craziness of the New Orleans French Quarter), I'm with Kristi. Fall is my favorite season, too – colorful leaves, crisp breezes, beloved TV shows, and Halloween! Who could ask for more?
Oh, and congrats, Mercy Loomis, for having two short stories published! That's so thrilling!
What an amazing week this has started out to be. I just can't believe how with a little effort and creativeness things could be going so well. In deed I am blessed to know many of you through blogging and reading your books. I had a fellow blogger write about me today…and I received a blogging award to boot! It’s only Monday…Who knows what the rest of the year will bring? Thanks to everyone out in the abyss who made this one small soul feel important.
Thanks! Cyber-hugs to one and all!
My summer goal was to at least get all the story out. It's not revised, not perfect, not even close, but at least I have an ending.
Unpublished writers are most likely working two jobs: one that pays the bills and one that feeds the soul. It's a challenge to fit it all in!
I'm looking forward to this week!
Almost all of my friends are writers, so I have a tendency to take this gig for granted, and to fail to appreciate my achievements (finishing books). Thank you for reminding me not to.
You know, my previous post sounded somewhat cynical about your motives, Nathan, and that was really not intended. I'm feeling playful today, and I'm joking around.
I think your intention here was truly admirable. I appreciate it very, very much.
I don't want that to get lost.
Beer all around, and THEN hugs.
We writers are kind of introverts, until someone starts pulling the taps. 🙂
Iloveyouman!!
Thanks for the nice comments. It's been a rotten day and I needed to hear something like that.
Hugs, beers, I'll take any kind of recognition you want to throw my way!
Thanks for creating a week to celebrate us, Nathan. What's next? Agent Appreciation Week?
Nathan, this was wonderful. Thank you so much!
> Nathan
You understand the ups and downs so well, I'm curious to know if that's purely second hand (i.e. from your clients) or if you've tried your hand at writing a book (with or without the shade of a tree).
Thanks, Nathan!
Thank you, Nathan.
Ah! Hugs!
Bad touch! BAD TOUCH!
(Really, people… introductions first, then handshake… maybe a couple of dates. You know, the ones where you suggest a movie, and really it's not your thing but it's nice and neutral and public (except to that couple in the back row who obviously couldn't afford a motel room) and it'll give you something to talk about during that awkward walk back home/to the car/taxi/bus while you try to figure out whether the other person is worth investing more time in or whether you're going to be washing your head (no hair, sorry, lost that a couple of years back when that power surge hit the electrolysis clinic) every time they call and you don't check caller-id in time to let it go straight to voice mail and after a couple of films, maybe there's dinner and eventually you get to the stage where you're leaning in close to each other and you're really not sure what's going to happen but it's worth at least touching a shoulder to see how it goes before going for the whole arm-extension almost-pat-on-the-back-except-it's-the-opposite-shoulder thing before you actually get to the hug stage and you're hoping your deodorant works because you really don't want to transfer pit stains. As for hugging oneself… well, that's just… not something we should talk about in polite company.)
Apologies… sometimes my mind wanders and doesn't take a cell-phone.
Never a bad thing to circle the wagons!
Is BAD QUERIES ATTACK on your fall viewing schedule? A&E reportedly picked it up.
I auditioned numerous times with them, but have not heard back yet.
> Dan Holloway
That was a fantastic post (From Pitch to Perpetuation of Privilige). It highlighted some really important points.
The beauty of writing is that it allows anyone to write their thoughts down, but you're right – for some, there are no ways to get their voice out to an audience. This definitely needs to change.
It's an even bigger problem in the press. Of course, it's a bit of a catch-22; can a child who had a terrible or no education write as well as someone who went to Eton and Oxford? They may have bags more natural talent and far better stories to tell, but if they don't have the vocabulary to artfully articulate those stories, where does it leave them? I certainly hope things will change.
> To everyone else
We don't mean to put a dampener on the thread! Hugs to everyone!
Mmm, what about the Nordic introverts who grew up somewhere other than the CA hugging culture? Maybe you could smile shyly in our general direction for the week? By Friday we might work up the courage to say "hi."
Three weeks from now, we could get some Humphrey Slocombe ice cream together. But only if you are writing. 20 pages gets you Peanut butter curry, 50 pages gets you Vietnamese coffee, 100 pages and I'll treat you to the Root beer float…oh my.
Shy smiles to all!
Laura – Cherry Wheat is one of my favs. Although that might have something to do with the Traverse City cherries that go in every bottle =)
J.J. Bennett – You're welcome. It's surely a sign of good things to come!
Avalon Myst – I second your applause to everyone who can't help but dare to think "what if?". The world would be far too boring without us creative types.
Awesome! Rewrites and rejections will not get me down this week. 🙂
Hours of entertainment? Well, might only be a couple if you read fast.
Unsurpassed knowledge? Pretty sure I've been passed on that freeway more times than I can count.
Untold insight? Best if I leave that untold. If I tell, being a writer of course, I'm sure everyone will find it terribly uninsightful.
But hey. If I can entertain for a few hours, it's all good. That's all the kudos I need.
Keep it up, all you writers out there. In the end, it's all worth it.
Ooh, this was nice. Thank you!
Thanks to all the writers on here that have helped me in various ways! I'm not a beer gal, but I will think of you all while I have a margarita and queso blanco with friends! 😉
Fantastic post, as always.
Love the "Hug a writer" bit!
No beer for me, I don't drink! But, hows about some homemade lemonade? And, cupcakes.
The MBA Jenna: I was born and raised in CA hugging culture! But you know, the Nordic part wins. 🙂
Okay, that's not entirely true, I have learned to hug and even like it.
You're sweet.
My summer has been over for a while. Kids have been in school for three weeks now, and YESTERDAY! my husband finally came home after his long 7 months of Summer work, out of state and of home.
I'm working hard to finish my book before November (NaNoWriMo!), and your words made me tear up.
Have a great day dream-agent…
Very nice. I'm hugging away right now although it does make it a little difficult to type. Looking forward to the future posts.
Community is good – and that is what we have here. Comrades who know the exhilaration of creation. the glow of a story well written, that sinking feeling of rejection. followed by the budding of new hope.
With hugs, which I have learned to appreciate, let's give encouragement and spread belief in the phrase written by someone long ago; "When you are hit by life's hardest slam, never say die, say damn" and, to continue with other's words; "pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again."
How important words are! How important each writer is.
Now I'll have a hard cider, please.
Hey, Kia. Thank you.
Not a damper at all. Hugs are always welcome. Only trying to ensure more hugs for more people.
Nathan's blog is somewhere that feels a bit like a constant hug – I'm sure we all like to pass the love back you.
What an inspiring post Nathan. I have had some major family things come up this last month and it took the punch out of my desire to write. It has all been so draining physically and emotionally. You just gave me the encouragement to keep going!
Here's to expanding my vocabulary and deleting adverbs.
Huzzah!
And I agree with the commenter above me about deleting adverbs, as much as I secretly love them so. (See, I couldn't go a whole sentence without one.)
"Then you find out that the writing was the easy part."
–What?!?!? No. I've never found that out. Hands down, writing's the hardest part of being a writer (and, IMO FWIW, that's the way it should be if a writer's writing hard enough–and deep enough from inside herself). Getting the words to come out both clearly and the way I see them inside my head–I've found no will-always-work recipe for that, no end-all be-all how-to book, no end-all be-all how-to advice. Writing just must be done and it's always a gigantic pain in the ass.
Your post is very nice overall though! I'm curious what and/or who you'll discuss this week–I'll check back.
"There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein."
–Red Smith
Yay, it's the first day of Spring. Warm weather here I come!
The downside is that as the weather warms up I'll be more inclined to go outside. I guess I can always take the laptop with me…
I love this post! I'm hugging my favorite authors to my heart right now.
Yes, writers, especially fiction writers, have gotten me through the of worst times…and have made the best of times even better. They help me to escape when my life turns dark and enrich my life when things are going well.
Thank you for acknowledging writers' many contributions to our lives.
It took me four years to finish a first draft of my novel. And I've spent the last nine months going through four rounds of revisions. This weekend, my wife (who also writes) was reading the latest version and giving me some pretty stiff criticism on a couple of chapters. So for the last three days I've been in a state of holy-crap-this-is-never-going-to-END depression.
It's nice to remember every once in a while that there are a whole lot of people going through the exact same thing.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…
Yea for us! Thanks for the pat on the back.
Lovely words. 🙂
Have to admit I'm with Other Lisa and Steph D (does that make me Other Steph?). Not much of a hugger, but I'll certainly take a beer.
I love the idea of Writer Appreciation Week, Nathan.
Hmm… perhaps we'll have to have Nathan Appreciation Week next.
I'll buy Nathan a beer. I'm pretty sure I owe him one.
Thanks Nathan. I got an impersonal form rejection Friday (not even my name in the body of the email) and it was a real downer. So please, lift my spirits!
Actually, your blog and community do that all the time.
Cool post, Nathan.
I don't post much but today I will to encourage others who may be in my shoes. I self published last year at this time. With a LOT of hard work [mostly online], I sold thousands within 10 months and just last week signed a contract to have my book relaunched and backed by a publisher. My story is not a literary piece of art but it I am humbled to discover it is a story that people want to know. I am sure there are others out there!
Hey Nathan: Thanks for celebrating the writer! Your blog rocks (as always).
I'm nearly pubbed (pub date October 2009)! Sooooo close!
If other writers want some inspiration they can check out my 'how I got published' story on my blog. It's a story complete with plot twists, inner conflict, stalking, persistence, three dead moths in my mailbox, lots of rewriting, and hope!
http//:janmarkley.blogspot.com
Absolutely positively wonderful thing for you to do Nathan.
This should be put before congress for a vote…a National Writer's Appreciation Day…or Month.
It feels good to be appreciated and as always, we certainly appreciate all you do for us crazy writers.
(does anyone else write in their sleep?)
hugs hugs hugs hugs and more hugs
Lucinda
Thanks, Nathan.
I've been at the bottom of this barrel having a pretty tough time, thinking seriously about getting a better paying profession outside the arts, so I can be content to be a "hobby" writer/artist/creative.
It's nice to think there at least is someone rooting for those of us here with too many holes in the pockets and the threads wearing thinner and thinner all the time.
To all writers I raise my glass of metaphoric lemonade, though I'll settle for hugging my big stuffed animal monkey. 😀
We can do it!
Hugs back at ya, Nathan. And beer all around. It is the eve of my first real publishing credit, so I am in a celebratory mood. No, it's not a novel, but a short story in an anthology titled "Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night" http://www.nightbirdpubs.com/
Very exciting to see my name as one of the contributing authors.
Want to give a shout-out to Dr. Sally Young. She is writing a book about people with autism and just sent me the draft of the chapter on my son. YO Sally!
It may be the end of Summer for you guys, but Spring just started today for me (Yeah, Spring in Australia!)
Loving what you say, as usual. Sometimes I think we don't appreciate how much work this is. Its not making the words flow that's difficult for me, its making sure they're the right words. Sometimes I amaze myself with the amount of dribble I write and then have to re-edit into something slightly readable.
This is awesome.
I especially love this part:
"You made the leap of faith, put pen to paper, devoted hours and hours and hours to building a world, and after months of hard work and sweat and blood and tears, those of you that finished had something to be rightly proud of: a manuscript.
Then you find out that the writing was the easy part."
So true.
Anyway, I want to praise all the writers out there! Once you start writing yourself and looking for others with the dream of writing a book, it's so surprising to see how many people there actually are! I've come to find that nearly half my friends have already started writing and are well on there way!
Good job, and good luck to all!
Brilliant! Just what I needed. Hugs! Hugs!
This was a really nice post. Thanks, Nathan.
Thanks for the encouragement, Nathan.
Writers have a lot of obstacles to overcome to get their book published, and it's a pleasure to see one agent appreciate the source that supports the publishing business.
Thanks for all you do to keep us writing.
Waving hi from the southern hemisphere and glad to see the last of winter!
Thanks Nathan- this post came at a good time. The m/s of my second novel is due with my agent next week and as I write the final chapter I'm just feeling so emotional about it- sad to see it come to an end, excited about pulling plot points together, terrified about starting a new project, torn between thinking this is a good novel and being afraid to show it to mye agent because just say it isn't… and the worst bit is that pretty much no-one cares about any of it! My husband is very supportive but is a complete non-writer- he'll be pleased for me that I've finished but far more interested in if I can sell it like the last one; my family don't read and have no idea about books really (my parents never even read my first (published) novel; my friends like my books (I've done 3- the other 2 were non-fic/essays) but think anyone can do it and can't understand why it takes so much time. So THANK YOU for writer appreciation week- I love it!
Kylie in Aus
Beautiful sentiment!
I'm in the middle of my third (unpublished) book and with summer on the way here in Australia it will be difficult to keep myself in front of the computer, when I could be snorkelling and enjoying the sunshine. I will get out, but only after I make my daily word quota!
I think we should award Nathan a
Pullet Surprise. What do you say,
gang? (Cluck, cluck?)
Awww thank you, Nathan!
Let's try that again :).
Yay, Nathan, thank you so much for a thoughtful, sweet, encouraging post! I'm still green to this biz and this is exactly the shot in the arm this gal needed! YOU appreciate us even if the industry don't :).
Got some great quotes to offer writers just for the Writer Appreciation Week posts. Looking forward to the coming week.
Sigh. . .I'll crack the top 30 in posts one day.
~Missye
Clearly you haven't been in Southern California much. We're already in the third week back at school. It amazes me when I hear people talking about summer ending–buying lunch boxes and backpacks–at the end of August. We're already seeing wear and tear on ours. Oh, and have you forgotton about that old summer friend, Big Brother? You needn't wait for your reality TV fix…
::Waving::
from the warming southern hemisphere.
It's the first day of spring here today. Yippee!!
Thanks Nathan! It was so nice to see such appreciation on the day I returned to college in hopes of one day receiving the infamous degree in English.
I can almost hear everyone singing "What do you you do with a BA in English?" I'd like to know too, so if somebody has a clue, can they lend me one?
Word verification: Masetat. What happens to Lestat when he has a mastectomy.
I could use some appreciation this week. Bring it on!
Thanks for the blog, by the way. I'm trying to put together a query letter now, and you've been a big help.
Nathan, you are sweet. Thank you.
Sweet!
Thanks for the thought Nathan. Hugs are good. Be sure to find the person who's hug you would value the most also; Constant Bloggers are also Constant Writers – not to mention all the e-mailing and fast talking (writing) you do on your client's behalf.
Kudos to yourself also.
And Fall is also my favorite season; the ground is warm and soft, the air cool and damp. Stew weather; blanket and good book on the sofa weather.
And wine, of course. All aspiring writers should be wino's.
Looking forward to the week's worth of posts in favor of writers!
dhole
Having just put my four children in school, and constantly thinking of Uruguay because I love the people. S.A. is moving into their summer and I live in Calgary, Canada and our winters are hell. I constantly am thinking about my writing and often feeling that my hope of being published is so far off in its practicality that it seems hopeless. Then I read this post and feel so inspired to move forward.
Muchas gracias, Nathan. Beyond words.
Hug a writer should be a bumber sticker.
I have another couple of days before my children go back to school. And the weather here in the UK is doing crazy things (torrential rain, thunder and rainbows yesterday in our little neck of the woods)!
So summer may not be quite over for me just yet!
That said, this is the third little bit of encouragement that has come my way during a week that ahs been really difficult. A few hugs certainly wouldn't go amiss here!
I have to be cheeky, though, and add that an agent willing to represent my work, huggable or otherwise, would be even better!
Onwards and upwards!
Wow – indeed. Nathan and this blog are certainly tops with me.
A post like this can go a long way to making someone's day…seem nicer. Thanks, Nathan.
Next, should come a week, to appreciate the agents and editors who do the heavy lifting after finding those initial manuscripts..
Bringing them
to the status, of published work.
Without the one, you can not have the other.
Here Here! My personal thanks to NaNoWriMo for making me more than a "One Day Novelist"… One day, I'll write a novel…
Nathan, I was thinking about this last night. You're wonderful.
Sometimes when I go to other industry blogs I'm not sure the agents or the editors even LIKE writers.
I think this is the heart of why your blog is so popular. You treat writers as intelligent, people with something important to offer. You don't lecture or chide. I have never, not once, ever, seen you make fun of a writer for anything. You're direct and offer advice, or make requests, but it's from a dialogue of mutual respect.
I really appreciate you and what you offer here.
Geez! I'm always getting in on the tail end of the comments, but HOT-DIGGETY, hugs to all writers! Thanks, Nathan.
SS at S-
Hugs after beers could be dangerous. Do you really want to go there?
Thank you, Nathan. You've touched my heart with your Writers Appreciation Week. In fact I had a dream last night that it was time to get back in the groove, so again, thank you!
I love it! I'm a hugger, I admit it. Hugs for everyone! Except Ulysses. I can respect degrees of personal space. Plus… ew. Pit stains? How did you ever get that date in the first place?
I'm glad to see someone in the biz admit "Then you find out that the writing was the easy part."
Thanks!
I think a lot of us needed a pick-me-up like this! Thanks, Nathan!
Thank you, Nathan, for always thinking like a writer…wait, a minute, that may not be a good thing. Oh, well, it's nice to have good company as you fall into madness.
Thanks so much for the mention, Nathan!
Huzzah! A fine notion indeed!
Let us all hug right now! Clothing optional.
I'm not a hugger but I love writers and I like beer. I'll take the beers without the hugs although I'll probably hug after the beers.
Yea for writers and all the glorious words and ideas, published and unpublished. Yea for being out there past my shadow of light as I type at night. Yea for being a reader so I have an audience as a writer. Yea for me, a reader who is a writer.
Let's have a beer. Should have a national 'Buy A Writer A Beer' Day. Or week. Year.
Here's to you. Cheers
Yay, me!
Hug? Somebody buy me a shot. And make it a double please. Thanks Nathan!
That is TERRIFIC news, Nathan! You totally deserve it after all the help you've given to us writers. I've never posted a comment before but have read your blog religiously since I started looking for an agent earlier this year, and lo and behold, my book will be published by Sourcebooks in 2010! I will be at your Books Inc. workshop on Sunday and congratulate you in person!
Congrats on your book! You have been a terrific resource for writers and deserve all of the positive energy back tenfold. Will be happy to use my big mouth to tell everyone to buy it when it comes out…keep us posted!!
Hey Nathan… have you heard of Hug a Writer Day? http://www.hugawriter.com/