Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

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Writerly Gratitude

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Hi friends,

Happy Wednesday! I always look forward to spending today with you! Thanks so much for dropping by. It’s the season of thankfulness and gratitude, but instead of doing a ‘traditional’ list of what I’m grateful for, I thought it would be fun to share some things I’m thankful for as a writer. I will give a disclaimer. Several of these pictures were taken many years, wrinkles and pounds ago.

I’m thankful for my editor.

My elusive editor is third from the left in the back row. Hint–he’s the only guy there

Dave asked to see my first three chapters after I basically rushed him after a Spotlight session he gave at ACFW back in 2010. He mentioned during the talk that he was looking for romantic suspense. So, as soon as the talk was over, I bolted to him and shared that I wrote romantic suspense. We chatted. He asked if I had a one-sheet, which I did but in my room. He asked if I had a business card, which I did…in my room. You’re getting the picture. Yet, he graciously gave me his card and said I could send my first three chapters of a manuscript called Submerged. Since then, Dave has supported, encouraged, and championed my work for twelve novels and two novellas. I’m so grateful for him.

I’m thankful for my agent.

I first met Janet when I was a hostess for a workshop she gave at ACFW. (Are you sensing how important ACFW has been in my publishing journey?) I listened to Janet and her agency partner, Wendy Lawton, give a wonderful workshop several years before I sold Submerged. I was so impressed by her knowledge of the industry, her kind—yet professional—manner, and she is a stunning dresser. I know the last isn’t something you traditionally look for in an agent, but it just spoke to what a classy person she is, and I loved that. She had spunk! Years later, after I sold Submerged to Dave and I wanted an agent, I reached out to Janet, knowing she was my dream agent. She was gracious enough to sign me and here we are nearly a decade later. I’m so grateful for her.

I’m grateful for my writing friends.

Writing can be an isolating journey, but I’ve been blessed with lovely writer and sweet reader friends along the way. We support each other, encourage each other, and give one another a kick in the pants when needed.

Reader Question: If you’re a writer, what are you grateful for? If you’re a reader, what’s something you’re thankful for in the reading world?

Blessings,

Dani

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Dani Pettrey

Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance.
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Comments

  1. Hi Dani. I’m so grateful for new friends since I started the writing journey three years ago. Even if I’m never published, the friends I’ve made have made it all worth it already. Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Hi Deena,

      That’s wonderful you’ve new writing friends. It’s amazing how other writers get us so well!
      Best wishes on your writing journey and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  2. I’m thankful for authors (pointing at you, Mrs. Pettrey) who write intriguing stories that not only entertain, but have a faith message that proves time and time again that our great Author is the ultimately ‘happily ever after’. 🙂

  4. I am a reader, who also started proofreading seven or eight years ago. First, I am grateful that there are so many authors of Christian fiction now. Of course, when I was much younger and there were so few Christian fiction books, most authors kept their stories clean and decent. Over time, that changed to the point that many secular writers thought they had to add some vulgarity or gratuitous sex for a book to sell. There are still a few of those writers, but the number of Christian fiction authors has grown tremendously over the past 15-20 years. Second, I am thankful that I got the opportunity to start proofreading books. I enjoy helping authors by catching those pesky errors that slip past others.

  5. I’m grateful for your story of the courage to chase Dave down following his presentation at a conference. It’s taken me years to have that kind of courage to put myself, and my writing, forward without apology. Writers’ stories give those of us just emerging the strength we need to keep moving forward

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