One of the things I love most about the Insecure Writers Support Group is how generous writers are—with encouragement, with time, and with sharing what’s working (and what isn’t). That spirit of generosity fits perfectly with this month’s optional question about the best gifts I’ve received as a writer.
For me, the best gifts haven’t always been physical—though I do love books—but relational and creative.
One of the greatest gifts has been conversation. Recently, I’ve had the joy of hosting thoughtful conversations with fellow writers on my podcast, including recent interviews with Sean McLachlan, Tara Tyler, and Sherry Ellis. Each episode reminded me that writing isn’t meant to be done in isolation. Hearing how other authors approach craft, worldbuilding, and perseverance has been encouraging and fun.
👉 Link to podcast page and the RSS Feed page. These two links will get you to the recent episodes, which are also on Spotify with The Truth About Storytelling. Next up for the interviews, I have Jemi Fraser and Damien Larkin.
Another meaningful gift has been time to read purely for pleasure and inspiration. Last year, I received (and collected) a wonderful stack of books—some fiction, some nonfiction, all inspiring.
These books were an invitation to slow down, to delight in story again, and to remember that feeding the creative well is part of the work.
Ultimately, the best gifts I receive as a writer are the ones that reconnect me to stories, to fellow creators, and to the simple joy of imagining something new.
I’m thankful for this community and for the reminder that none of us write alone.