16 November 2015

Thanksgiving


by Susan Rogers Cooper

As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches I thought I'd jot down a few things I'm thankful for: my beautiful daughter and her three wonderful children, the memories of a good marriage that lasted over thirty-four years, old friends and new friends, and, yes, books.

I'm thankful for Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and the Winslow Brothers who enriched my childhood, for Agatha Christie, John Steinbeck and J.D. Salinger who molded my teenage years, and for John D. MacDonald who brought me back to mystery in my early twenties. I'm thankful to Marcia Muller, Sue Grafton, and Sarah Peretsy who taught me that women can write just as hardboiled as any man. And I'll always be grateful to Jan Grape, my mentor, who did more for my career than any agent or editor has ever done. And I'm thankful for those agents and editors who helped mold my work – especially the undisputed queen of mystery editors, the late Ruth Cavin, who once told me – when I complained after she read my fifth book that I hadn't gotten the editing letter from her that I usually got – that I finally sent her one without any big boo-boos.

I'm thankful that I've been blessed with the career of my choice, and that I've had a job that makes me mostly happy – except on those days when all I can do is stare at a blank screen. I'm thankful for the friends I've met since I started this career – Joan Hess, Sharan Newman, the late Barbara Burnett Smith and the late Nancy Bell, Dean James, Charlaine Harris, and so many more who've made me laugh and cry and given me advice that I'll always remember.
This is a good time to remember these things, to count our blessings, and say thank you to those we love. And to stock up on extra books since we'll soon have a day off.

3 comments:

  1. Amen Susan. That's a good list.

    Readers might not realize that Jan Grape has a sly and playful sense of humor.

    I have a question: I'd never heard of the Winslow brothers. Who was the author?

    Thanks, Susan.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice article. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Susan's currently on a Caribbean Cruise and can't answer you, Leigh. This was written and scheduled before she left. I know she's thankful for the great time she's having right now. She won't be home until next Sunday. And I appreciate her mentioning me, she's a dear friend. And Leigh, a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell.

    ReplyDelete

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