A Special Kind of Grateful

There’s just something about a fellow writer’s success that feels different from the normal happiness you feel when someone succeeds.

Normally when my granddaughter dances well, when my older daughter sells a nice portfolio, when my younger daughter lands a challenging design project, or our son speaks on a panel of experts, the pride is immense and the joy is deep.

But, when fellow writers have a book birthday or book signing event, when announcements are made on the acquisition of their book rights, when they are featured authors on blogs, in interviews, or in articles–I have deeper and different emotions altogether.

I feel not only proud for my writer friends, but proud for me, and the many authors that make up our community of word and picture artists. Yes, the writers did the work, performed the diligence, with grit and love held to the task and pursued their particular, beautiful dreams.

But I know that community, camaraderie, and common purpose had their hands in the life and birth of the book. From mere bits of encouragement at the conception, to the labor pains of style decisions, editorial tasks, and marketing pushes. Many hearts and hands are involved.

That’s why I was so happy I could get to Kansas City and the Shawnee Mission Johnson County Public Library yesterday to be at Traci McClellan-Sorell‘s book signing for Otsaliheliga-We Are Grateful. This rich book is an instant treasure in my library, a beautiful glimpse into the seasons of life for the Cherokee Nation, by this talented Native American author.

I met Traci in Houston several years ago at an NF4NF conference, a small gathering of nonfiction-minded authors who share a passion for writing about real things for real children. Pat Miller brought together for a few years writers who bonded in that shared passion, and the bond was lasting, as evidenced by hugs and smiles and excitement whenever these ‘folks’ meet in new and varied venues.

And, it’s just a given that when one of us succeeds in a task associated with this passion–whether it be publication of an article, a book, or getting to attend a conference–we all feel grateful. To me, success for one of us is success for all of us. I think it’s the same for other writers, too.

It’s a special kind or grateful, because when it’s for the children, it’s for us all.