Happy Thanksgiving

James O. Born

I thought we might take a short break in learning how to write a novel on a holiday like Thanksgiving.  I tend to be a little on the sentimental and schmaltzy side when it comes to holidays.  I try to observe each one for its actual significance.  I understand the revisionist tendencies to discount holidays and traditions.  Like to say about all that Thanksgiving should represent is the subjugation of Native Americans or that Christmas is built around a pagan holiday.  I don't debate those things.  I simply like that certain days are set aside to give us time to consider the circumstances of our lives, as well as our place in the world.

I am indeed thankful for a number of things, including my relative health in this incredibly fleeting life and the happiness of my family in an increasingly stressful world.  I'm also thankful that I have friends like Patty, Jackie and Paul who support and encourage me in all sorts of endeavors.  They also talked me into participating in this blog, which has become a regular part of my week.  I hope I can continue to engage each of you with my view of how to write a novel.  In the meantime, please enjoy these assorted humorous tidbits I have found on Facebook over the last few months.  They have no connection to writing a novel or to each other.  I just thought they were funny.  Forgive me if you are the creator of any of these and I have not attributed them properly.

Next week I intend to finish the story of how I found my first agent.  By writing it in three parts I consider it a trilogy.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.