IWSG Monthly Blog Post for December 2025

Welcome to December, the last month of 2025. Each year seems to slip by faster than ever. This year was no exception and while it was a year filled with ups and downs, both physical and emotional, on the whole, it was a great one. Here is this month’s question.

December 3 question – As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

The best gifts I have ever received as a writer have been intangible ones, such as compliments on my work and encouragement to continue, book reviews on Amazon that make me feel as if all my sweat and tears are worth it, emails from readers commenting on how a particular book touched them. Among those accolades are invitations to join other writers because it was a validation of my worth in their eyes. Praise from fellow authors is high praise indeed.

It began years ago when I was invited to join a small group of writers who post a snippet of their work in progress every Tuesday. I didn’t know any of them, but the offer intrigued me. From them, I’ve learned more about the craft than I knew before. Tuesday Tales has become a critical part of my writing process. I will be forever grateful to Jean for inviting me to be part of their group.

My second authot invitation came via my fellow writer and cover artist Melinda De Ross. She introduced me to Mimi Barbour and the Authors Billboard. While the ABB is no longer active, our two publishers, Dragonfly Publishing and Dangerous Desires continue to publish books, both new and previously published in affordable box sets. Most recently, Dani who runs DD has had our sets translated into Spanish. What an incredible opportunity that is for me to reach new readers! It has been an absolute pleasure to work with those fine independent authors and publishers, and once again, I have learned a great deal from them.

As for coolest gifts, that honor goes to Melinda De Ross who has sent me some small gifts from Romania where she resides. I have received handmade Christmas ornaments taht grace my tree each year, magnets, a Vlad Dracul pen and case for my glasses, and a tiny notebook into which I can write great thoughts.

And finally, what has to be the most unique gift I’ve ever gotten as a writer is being reconnected with one of my good friends from university when her husband saw my website online. Lee and I had not seen one another in almost fifty years. She sent me a message and we started corresponding. I had the pleasure of seeing her a few weeks ago. Do we look different? Yes, but 50 years vanished in a matter of minutes and it was as if those years had never separated us.

So, the best and coolest gifts I’ve received as an author are the connections, I’ve made.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season. God willing, I’ll be back with all of you in 2026.

Check out other posts on this month’s question here.

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