Thanksgiving…

is nearly upon us—I love this holiday promoting mindful gratitude. One of the things I’m most grateful for this year is YOU. Today’s newsletter is a tribute to readers.

Of course you know that writers could not fully be writers without readers, but I want you to really soak that in. As I said at my author talk on Friday, the act of creating something isn’t complete until it is received. The act of being received completes and transforms the creation. A culinary creation needs someone to savor it. A painting needs an art-loving viewer. A garden needs someone to stroll through it, soaking in its beauty. And a book needs an enthusiastic reader.

 Now for my special tribute: inspired by a friend, I wrote a haiku for you. Here it is, with my heart-felt gratitude:                                          Readers…

Willing passengers,

Imagination engaged,

Give stories new life.

As a reader you bring magic to books. When you come along for the ride, suspend your disbelief, and bring your own imagination, history, and emotions to the journey, you take an active part in a very special kind of alchemy. The book becomes more than it was before you read it.

A book becomes a classic not only when it breathes its life into many readers, but also when many readers breathe life into it.

Thank you for breathing life into Piper Pan and Her Merry Band.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

P.S. A quick “thanks” and “welcome” to those who attended my author talk Friday evening at the Sequim Branch Library— your presence was a delight. I especially enjoyed our lively discussion on the vital role creativity plays in our lives—the subject is central to my life coaching practice. If you are interested in learning more, click here to visit my coaching site.

The request for an encore of my Peter Pan “flying” spin was a first for me!