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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

50 States of Pray

This wonderfully thoughtful idea comes to us from the equally wonderful Mark Koopmans.  Most of us know Mark because of our experiences around the web where he is constantly supporting, promoting and encouraging fellow authors with his sincere kindness.  My thanks to Mark for yet another opportunity to share my love for this community.

So far as the fifty states go I'm here from Pennsylvania and I'm praying you all have a wonderful, bright holiday in the nearness of the ones you love.

When Mark asked us to post about our thoughts on the year and our hopes for next year I immediately focused in on this community.  This wonderfully giving, inspiring, nurturing community of writers who are constantly helping others out and pushing them forward in their own creative journeys.

I've written before about how utterly and devastatingly disconnected I was for the bulk of the time I'd had this blog.  Less than a year ago I was posting irregularly for an audience of (sometimes) a few close friends who read what I wrote simply because they are my friends.  Then came the discovery of blog hops and writing shares and the great A to Z Challenge.  Within less than a month I had tripled my followers and been exposed to more amazing authors than I could shake a stick at.

What really thrilled me about this community wasn't just how nice they are (Yeah, I'm talking about you- you're super nice!) but how invested they are in helping other authors.  There is literally never a time when someone (or more often a bunch of someones) isn't hosting a cover reveal or a book tour or promoting a friend who just got published or offering assistance in linking up to anything a new author may need.  You can't get further than a link away without finding someone who's helping out a writing buddy or a critique partner or a bloggy friend.  And you cannot escape the sheer love these wonderful people have for their comrades in words.  It is quite literally overwhelming.

So I'm saying Thank You for that.  For you all being who you are.  You make me believe that someday there'll be a book out there with my name on it as well- because I know that you will be there every step of the way towards that goal.  Thank you.  You all astound me.

Click on the link for the full list of participants.  It'll take us all a while to get around to them all since we're cooking, wrapping and traveling today, but I plan to do just that to say thank you to everyone in person.

And, of course, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

20 comments:

  1. This community is really awesome. Everyone gives and it's just amazing. Glad you are a big part of that.
    Merry Christmas, Beverly!

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  2. You're right, Beverly, we all feel happier because we help each other, no matter what is happening in our lives. We celebrate milestones, and support one another when times are difficult. All of the people in the blogging community are awesome and we appreciate you! Merry Christmas everyone!

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  3. Beautiful words, Bev!
    Have a peaceful and blessed Christmas.
    Writer In Transit

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  4. I too have been blessed by the blogging community. Merry Christmas from Texas!

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  5. What a wonderful post, Beverly! We are all a part of such an awesome community. Thank you one and all for your support. Merry Christmas, Beverly!

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  6. So very true, Bev. This community rocks with it's generosity! Merry Christmas to you.

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  7. Merry Christmas. I totally agree that this community rocks! You are one of those awesome bloggers I met this year. I hope your dreams come true.

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  8. So true, Bev, it's been an amazing year all the way around!

    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  9. This is touching and beautiful! I am happy you are part of the bloghop! Merry Christmas!

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  10. What a thoughtful post. I am learning how wonderful the blog community is, also.

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  11. Merry Christmas. I really enjoyed reading this post. How encouraging for me.

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  12. Merry Christmas. Yeah, the blogger world really opened a door for me when I discovered the wonderful bunch over to the Challenge one a few years ago.

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  13. This blogging community is amazing! Hope you had a nice Christmas. :)

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  14. What a beautiful post! The writing community is so awesome. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! And I look forward to seeing a book with your name on it! :)

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  15. Hi Bev, lovely post! And like you I am - slowly - bloghopping my way from England through the whole list :)
    Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
    x

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  16. Hi Bev - it's great you found this blogosphere - because as you realise they are a very caring bunch ...

    Have a peaceful and blessed 2014 - Hilary

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  17. That's a lovely thought, Beverly. Even a little giving makes a big difference in this world. Thanks for your post! :)

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  18. Yeah this is an amazing community. Have a wonderful 2014. :-)

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  19. Hi, Beverly. I am the most recent to benefit from Mark K's kindness and energy. I'm so glad he set up this blog hop because as you so perfectly put it in your post, it has led me to many exciting writers and voices. I am thrilled to find you all and understand now the gratitude you express so wonderfully here. Happy New Year to you!

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  20. A positively wonderful post! Thank you too! And best of the season to you as well!

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Thank you for your comment! I will love it and hug it and pet it and call it George. Or, you know, just read and reply to it. But still- you rock!