If you are a writer and haven’t heard of The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, check it out here. I only recently learned about the site, and it’s been immensely helpful in unblocking some writer’s block episodes. The founders at Bookshelf Muse have just released The Emotion Thesaurus as a book, and here is the celebratory book launch post!

Personally, I have a lot of people to thank for helping get to where I am. All of my classmates and writing instructors at Harvard Extension for all the guidance in the creative writing workshops while I was working on my master’s degree, and the faculty involved in helping me with my thesis. To all my writer friends in all the writer’s groups I’ve been part of: my weekly Tuesday writer dinner, now in its 8th year(!), my Algonquin-Table-esque group of writers that meets when the stars (and the beer) align just so, and to the amazing love of my life, whose encouragement and support got me through NaNoWriMo just as he was relocating and moving into my home—all while I work two jobs and maintain my life as an author.

And a huge thank you to the online writer’s communities who keep it positive, professional, and productive: The mods at the Indie Author Group on FB, Indies Unlimited, and World Lit Café. I’ve learned so much since I first published my work in 2010. Thank you for the writing/business advice, and for maintaining such great sites.

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A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community.

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special, don’t they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.

To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ. Do you know someone special that you’d like to randomly acknowledge? Come join us and celebrate! Send them an email, give them a shout out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round.

Becca and Angela have a special gift waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Just released!