A couple months ago, my daughter decided to wear some jeans instead of her usual leggings and she spent a little time picking out her outfit for the day. She felt a little unsure of what she was wearing, but wanted to try out a new fashion. Her friend saw her and said, “Wow! I love your outfit!” And my daughter has been wanting to wear jeans and different fashionable tops ever since that day. I used that moment as a teachable moment for both of my kids about how powerful words can be. A little compliment or encouragement can stick with someone for life–but the same is true for mean words or harsh criticism.
Every writer is on a journey and most author journeys are full of ups and downs. For you to have come to the place that you call yourself a writer, read publishing blogs, and let other people read your work, shows that you have had encouragements along your journey that confirmed your desire to write. Yes, I’m sure there have been discouraging times too, but somewhere along your path something or someone built up your confidence in your writing. Some of you might feel more secure than others, just based on where you are right now, but I would love it if you could share one specific moment that stands out in your mind as a time of encouragement. What has happened to you that built up your confidence?
As fellow authors and readers, we have the power to be “encouragers” to those around us. We could provide the tiny bit of confidence it takes for a writer to try to write a book through our words and actions. A compliment about a young writer’s school paper, or delight in a poem written by an unpublished friend, or an encouraging note dropped in the mail to a debut writer, could make a big difference in a dreamer’s life. There’s no need to lie to someone–that just sets a person up for disappointment–but we could all work on being a little more outgoing with our genuine encouragement of others–just like my daughter’s friend. And we can also be more careful with harsh words and how we share criticism with each other.
What have you done to encourage others? Do you write reviews for books you enjoyed? Do you send emails to authors who’s books have touched you in some way? Have you mentored a young writer?
Do you have any ideas for providing encouragement that you could share with us?
The Unintended Consequences of the Phrase “Book Baby”
When I was still unpublished and my aunt gave me a fancy pen for Christmas with the note “for the author in the family”.
That is so sweet!
Thanks for sharing, Rachel. I love how God used your daughter’s friend to bring encouragement at just the right moment.
A couple years ago, I posted a tweet about how much I loved a book. It was one of the first inspy romances I read, and it changed how I viewed the genre. The author replied and before long we were emailing regularly with prayers for each other’s families and writing. I was shocked that this multi-pubbed author was touched by my quick word.
Now we text every day, and she’s the biggest cheerleader for my work. We laugh about how God used a tweet to start such a meaningful friendship.
Sing them loud and sing them clear,
the praises otherwise unsaid,
and know ye that they’ll be held dear,
heart-written and with joy re-read.
Sing them soft in gentle tones
on the days of dark and shade,
say them that they strengthen bones
and leave the sinews unafraid.
Sing the praises in your prayers,
in the night-land of your soul
and let them build to God in layers
for it’s He who sees the whole
of encouragement you leave
to which a striving friend may cleave.
This is a favorite topic of mind. I enjoy encouraging others maybe because I wasn’t encouraged in my young years. I do a daily quote to encourage those who have or will attend the writing conference BRMCWC. I started it four years ago. And I enjoy encouraging published authors.
I was encouraged when I signed up for a critique by a well known author at a conference a couple of years ago. And it was such an encouragement when the author contacted me BEFORE the conference by email to say how she connected with my story including sending photos. That was such an encouragement!
Rachel,
YES! When I read something that makes a difference in my life, I usually try to contact the author of the blog/article/book. I don’t think much about it, nor do I try to flatter. I figure, if I am trying to change the world with words, those who have changed mine should know about it.
The responses to such notes are often an unexpected encouragement returning to me.
Numerous times an author expressed deep gratitude, tells me my note “came at the right time”, when he was plagued with doubts.
A few years ago, I came across a book by a German Luthier. I read it in German first. His words impacted me like nothing I had ever read. For the first time I was engrossed in literature in my mother tongue which spoke the truths of God in a way I had never heard as a child. It spoke to me on a level I didn’t know was there.
In my encouragement to him I shared a poem one of his chapters had inspired.
I printed his response and go back to it at times.
It said, “… you have the gift of literary power…” and ” … God timed your words to me…”
What? Me?
Even now, as my inner voice tries to tell me how useless my words are, I tear up and try to hold on to his encouragement.
Is there anything else the Word tell us to daily (and defines so clearly) then to “exhort one another”?
THANK YOU so much for all your encouragement to all of of us who stumble and struggle across the page with words.
What a great idea, Rachel! The encouragement that stands out to me is when my first grade teacher chose me out of the whole class to go to a young writer’s conference and see Stephen Kellogg speak! It was so exciting to go on that big fieldtrip without my class and to make a book to share (it was shaped like a guinea pig). I had never considered writing, but she thought I could and so I did! Yes, I write reviews for the books that I really like and I have a very small writer’s retreat at the camp where I live and work, to encourage writers of all ages and give us some time to just write. I’ve also really enjoyed the times that I’ve been asked to speak at my sons’ schools about writing with students.
Oh, gosh. There have been many things people have done for me that people could do for others:
When my husband gifted me with Chicago Manual of Style for Christmas
When my son gifted me with a key ring engraved with my characters’ wedding date
When my daughter found a way to schedule a side trip to two of my first story’s locations in Europe
When my dad gave me a check to help fund any writing expenses
When 20 fellow writers teared up after I read a gentle first kiss scene
When a national contest judge called me a skilled writer, and I semi-finaled
When friends and fellow writers ask, “Is there more?”
Even the smallest kindness can send a writer’s confidence soaring.