I contemplated skipping my post this month, because, frankly, I’m tired. And I have edits due to my publisher. And I need to do Christmas shopping. And…
Excuses, excuses, excuses.
When I think of all the things that make life busy and chaotic, I realized most of those same things are what make life exciting and full. With that in mind, I decided to do something different in this newsletter and list some of the things that made 2019 a year of gratitude.
In no particular order (and certainly not a comprehensive list), in 2019 I was grateful for:
• Wholefoods Thanksgiving meals. Made life so easy.
• Jessica. Just always.
• Finding a live ladybug inside my house in November
• ACTUALLY GOING OUT TO DINNER WITH THE LEAD SINGER/LYRICIST OF MY FAVORITE BAND.
• Going to Belize in January, when everything was frosty and cold in Colorado.
• Being nominated for an ITW Thriller Award.
• Friends and neighbors, who are always willing to catch up over a glass of wine.
• Sourcebooks, who launched The Dead Girl in 2A in July and just bought my next book (more about this later).
• Vodka gimlets in chilled martini glasses.
• Early-season snowstorms.
• Spending a week in Hawaii with Jessica, eating our way through the west coast of Maui.
• Touring Yosemite with my best friend from childhood.
• Randy, Carolyn, and Alex Smith. They don’t read this newsletter, but if they did, they’d know why I’m grateful to them. Thank you.
• Upcoming post-Christmas travel to see my sister and her family in New York.
• Partying at a big Long Island wedding with Jessica’s family.
• My readers.
• The ability to say I have readers.
• A fresh coat of paint on the house.
• My literary agent, Pam Ahearn, whose wisdom and advice kept flowing all year.
• Spotting bald eagles near my neighborhood.
• Upcoming Christmas dinner at my mom’s house.
• Joyous Halloween screams.
• Flannel bedsheets on cold nights.
• My TV/film agency, Cinelit, who made lightning strike twice (more on this later).
• My couch. Ooh, my couch.
• Winning a third Colorado Book Award.
• Being healthy.
• Henry, who continues to stun me with his depth of knowledge.
• Laughing.
• My Satanic cat.
• Sole, a wonderful co-parent and friend.
• Finding the wisdom to only check the news twice a week.
This list could go on and on.
I am grateful.
May you all be healthy and happy, and here’s looking forward to 2020.
Happiness,
Carter
