Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "thanks"

Ok, I admit it. I'm hardly breaking new ground here. It's Thanksgiving and a lot of people will write about all of the things for which they are grateful. But I just can't resist the temptation to do the same.
So as an author, here's my list of the top ten things for which I'm most grateful:
10. All of the wonderful people I've met online and elsewhere while promoting my book.
9. All of the people who have taken an interest in my work and provided the platforms on which to share it.
8. All of the people who encouraged me to write "Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey."
7. My publisher for taking a chance on an unknown author and providing continued support.
6. The incredibly talented people who designed my book cover and book trailer; you guys rock!
5. My "boys." -- You guys know who you are.
4. God-given talent and the time to nurture it.
3. My mom; you are and always will be my hero. I love you.
2. Adversity. Without it, you never appreciate the good times and you never grow.
1. Freedom -- specifically the freedom to share my story, to write it as I see fit without fear of censorship or other recrimination.
God Bless America and happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Until next time, "That's life..."

Oops. I made a big boo-boo.
Last week, I shared my top ten list of things for which I am most grateful as an author. But soon after I finished writing, I realized that I forgot to include a very important group of people -- my readers.
While there's no excuse for such an egregious omission, perhaps it's understandable. After all, there's so much for authors to do; writing, revising, rewriting, finding an agent, getting an editor and landing a publishing deal or navigating the labyrinths of self-publishing. Then there's marketing, marketing, marketing, social networking ...and more marketing.
It's way too easy to get caught up in the madness, and way too easy to forget why we've chosen such a hard road in the first place. Are we doing it all for ourselves? For our friends and families? Are we doing it for catharsis? To help others? To educate, inform or entertain? In pursuit of our dreams? For fame or fortune?
To be sure, our reasons for writing, or more accurately, our reasons for becoming published authors, are vast and varied. But truth be told, without the people who are kind and generous enough to read our work, none of it really matters.
So to all of the people who have chosen to read my book, and those who support indie authors in general, I extend my heartfelt thanks and best wishes for safe and joyous holidays.
Until next time, "That's life..."

I'm about to do something completely out of character.
I'm going to forget all the advice I've heard (and reported) about safeguarding personal information online, and let the world know I've got a birthday coming up. I won't tell you exactly when it is. Let's just say it's right around the corner.
More importantly, it's a milestone birthday. OK, it's actually a quasi-milestone birthday. I'll be 45. Now some of you might be wondering why I disclosed that so readily. Frankly, I have no problem admitting it, especially since I've been told I look a lot younger!
It's halfway to 50, I told a family member in a recent conversation.
Halfway to 90 is more like it, she rejoined.
Any way you slice it, it is a perfect time to look back on everything I've accomplished and look forward to all the adventures ahead.
If you've read my memoir, "Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey," you know that life knocked me on my butt. You also know that I got up... and I'm still fighting.
So, I don't have the house, kids and white picket fence I once envisioned. I haven't remarried and I don't have a beach house in the Hamptons. Hell, at this point I don't even have a regular source of income (but that's another topic for another blog).
And truth be told, what I don't have doesn't matter half as much as what I've got. I have a wonderful support system, including the world's best family and friends. I've not only fulfilled my professional goals, I've surpassed them. I'm an award-winning journalist and an award-winning author.
Personally, I'm still the brash, outspoken, tough, sensitive, loyal and compassionate person I've always been. It took forever to own it, but now I can finally say I am comfortable in my own skin.
Thank you to all of the people who helped me get to this wonderful place. Perhaps I could have done it without you, but it would have been an even more difficult journey if you weren't along for the ride.
I love you all more than I can put in words... and I can hardly wait to see what the next 45 years have in store.
Until next time, "That's life..."