Wednesday Writer's Spotlight: On Being Thankful

Thankful, grateful, gratitude, and appreciation...All are words to describe how many of us feel at this time of year. Reflecting back on the year before us, we do have a lot to be thankful for. As the holiday season approaches, everyone at Inkspell is very thankful for the many blessings that our readers and ambassadors have given us. But we thought to ask our authors about the many things that they are thankful for during this time of year.  We hope you will enjoy their responses as much as we do!
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T. Michelle Nelson:
I have many reasons to be thankful, but I am most thankful for my son.  Somehow he has turned out to be the most thoughtful, intelligent and sweet young man a person could ever know.  I am proud to be his mom every single day.  
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Aubrie Dionne:
I have a lot to be thankful about this holiday season. I'm thankful for all of the wonderful people at Inkspell who believe in my book. I'm also thankful for my gorgeous cover, and all the fantastic reviews my book is receiving. I'm thankful Inkspell agreed to take on the next book in the series! On the writer front, I received my very first advance, which I am extremely thankful for, due to my awesome agent, who I'm also very grateful. She's taught me patience and wisdom. I have a huge, 3 day book signing coming up at a fancy craft fair in December, and I'm thankful for all the people that will be helping me out with that. 

My whole family is meeting for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I'm thankful they are all happy and safe and pursuing their own life dreams. My sister is pregnant with baby #2, so I'm more than thankful for that as well. I already enjoy my nephew, and I can't wait to meet the new addition to the family! 
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Stephanie Keyes:
There is nothing original about what I'm thankful for. It’s probably what everyone chooses for his or her answer whenever this question inevitably comes up every year! But I don’t care if I’m being a conformist. When I look around me every day, the answer is clear. My Family. Though our numbers have dwindled and the festivities changed, I am blessed to have people I love around me. My husband, my sons, my family are the reason that I have the guts and courage to do anything at all. It is this group of people that told me to “go for it” when I submitted my first novel to the Inkspell family earlier this year. Then, the same crew celebrated with me in September after the novel’s publication. That is why I am so unbelievably blessed this Thanksgiving, good people who stand by you and love you for who you are. That’s what I’m most thankful for. I wish each one of you readers a warm and wonderful holiday!
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Jill Kaelin:Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, to ponder over how wonderful our lives are and cherish the little things. I have tons of things I’m thankful for in my life, so I decided to make a list of the top five. 
Chocolate-the natural stress reliever.
Books-without which I wouldn’t be able to escape into magical worlds and live so many imaginative lives.
Our pets-the dog, CoCo, and our three cats, Bella, Ginger, and Nutty. They make each day more enjoyable…and messy. 
Friends/Family-the people who love me unconditionally. 
My daughter, Justyce-the relationship we have is priceless.  She is my heart.

I’m also very thankful for my new friends at Inkspell!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 
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Mark Jay Harris:
It may sound cliche to say I'm thankful for my family, but out of all the wonderful things I have in this life my family is the most important. We just had a new baby three weeks ago, and of course that tends to re-focus your thoughts. Without them to care for and without their support, it just seems like nothing else would matter much any way. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for my health, friends and chance to publish a book, but my family takes the front seat! They're the best!
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Kristy Centeno:
First and foremost I would like to say that I'm eternally grateful to have four beautiful children that I absolutely adore and are the main reason for my happiness. Without them I wouldn't be the person I am. I'm also grateful to have such an understanding man by my side. A man that never sees the negative in things but instead, supports every decision I make even if he doesn't agree with me sometimes. I'm grateful that we're all healthy and happy in spite of difficult times.
And last, I'm grateful to have my loving mother by my side. Although we don't always see eye to eye, we're always able to set whatever differences we may have aside and enjoy our time together with no remorse.
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Brooke Moss:I'm thankful for the opportunity to raise five amazing, talented, darling, witty, silly, happy children. Without my family, I would be nothing. What a wonderful group of people to spend my holidays with.
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Kacey Vanderkarr:
This year I'm thankful for all the traditional things, family, friends, etc. Additionally, I'm thankful for opportunity, perseverance, and the ability for continuing education. All things stem from this. 2012 has been an incredible year of growth and I'm excited and inspired by all the things to come!

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Annabelle Blume:I'm thankful for the food in my fridge and the roof over my head. For the fact that my children are healthy and comfortable enough to express when they aren't happy. For my fury companions, even if they bark incessantly and irritate the neighbors. For the amazing adventures life has taken me on thus far. And for the future that lays before me, as unknown and scary as that can be. 
I'm thankful for the moon and the stars and the fact that I can see them. And for the way the bright shining rays of the sun feel on my skin. For my friends who share laughter and tears with me. And for my family who stands quietly by my side through all things in life. Last, but not least, I'm thankful for my husband who's here to live it all with me every day.
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Debbie Peterson:
What am “I” thankful for? Well, first and foremost, my family. They are truly the best this world has to offer. But my list surely doesn’t end there, nor do I have enough room to name everything that fills my heart. However, to mention just a few... I am very grateful to have food to eat, clothes to wear and shelter overhead. I’m grateful for my country, and words do not express my gratitude for those who give their all to protect and watch over it. 

And of course, I need to mention how very appreciative I am to those who thought enough of my books to want to publish them. For those who have actually read them, and taken the time to leave their sweet comments. You all make my day!
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At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from anotherperson. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
-- Albert Schweitzer




We at Inkspell would like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and send you love for all the ways you have inspired us!