20 reasons to give thanks for a bountiful freelance year

The past few years, so hard for so many writers, have been some of the best of my career. I started a long-term assignment as a freelance editor and project manager. I broke into a couple high-profile national publications, including the Wall Street Journal. And I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing and inspiring people.

Not only has this time been fruitful financially, it’s helped me grow as a writer, editor, and community manager.

As I get ready to shut down for the long-weekend and step into the kitchen to make stuffing and pie, here’s everything I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1. My husband and kids, for understanding my passion for what I do.

2. My editors, who push me to excel, even when I’d rather not be pushed.

3. The writers I work with, for putting up with my pickiness and tendency to overuse Track Changes.

4. The long-time colleague who suggested me for what turned into a wonderful job opportunity.

5. The talented web designer who gave this blog a much needed makeover (and has another one in the works).

6. The hundreds of writers, bloggers and freelancers who over the past five years have taken part in the WordCount Blogathon – you’ve turned an event into a tribe.

7. The talented media industry professionals who share their wisdom and time in guests posts and who turn up for the monthly WordCount Last Wednesday Twitter chat – I couldn’t do it without you.

8. My travel agent and friend, for booking business trips so I don’t have to – wish you could go through those full-body scanners for me too.

9. My workout instructor, for giving me 90 minutes twice a week when I can do instead of think.

10. My Droid.

11. My dog, for all the years he’s curled up by the desk where I work.

12. My mom, for being this blog’s first and biggest supporter.

13. The creative minds behind WordPress, you rock.

14. Bluehost, a blog hosting service, for being up and running 99.99 percent of the time.

15. The writers whose work inspires me to challenge myself to do better.

16. Portland’s journalism community, for creating a congenial work environment so being an independent writer here doesn’t mean having to write alone.

17. My readers, here, at NBCNews.com, the Wall Street Journal, Workforce.com and everywhere else you find me.

18. My Facebook, Twitter and Linked In friends; I may spend the majority of my time in Portland, but I travel the world vicariously through you.

19. The members of the online writers’ groups I hang with – thanks for being there to share the troubles and the triumphs.

20. The economy, for continuing to improve, making it possible for writers like me to continue doing what we love.

Michelle

[The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth (1914), by Jennie A. Brownscombe, courtesy Wikimedia ]