Blogger: Rachel Kent
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 A compliment about a young writer’s school paper, or delight in a poem written by an unpublished friend, or an encouraging note dropped in the mail to a debut writer, could make a big difference in a dreamer’s life.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.
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?
Encouragement pushes me along. I wish I didn’t need it, but I do. Any time someone responds to an article I’ve written or a picture I’ve published, I’m blessed and encouraged. I’m nudged forward. And when I read a good book, I love sharing with the author how much it meant to me. What I really love to do, if I have the hard or soft copy, is take a picture of the book and post it on social media. 🙂
Agree, totally, Shelli! “Encouragement pushes me along.” And it does mean so very much to us, doesn’t it?!
Yes, yes, yes! 🙂
So many people encouraged me (many of them right here), I can’t pick one to mention. Instead, let me share my son’s 5th grade class. The assignment: write a story, edit it and copy it into a blank bound book.
*The class hosted a book party for parents. Each child perched on a stool in the front of the room and read a couple paragraphs. After all had read, there was the “book signing.” The books were lined up on the chalk tray for the guests to write a few words of encouragement. I wonder how many of those kids (now almost 30) still have their books.
Last week, I got an encouragement from a B&S online member. I had to 1) Scribble the words down. 2) Smile for three minutes and just sing wow. 3) Post a thank-you note which she followed up with a reply. 4) Smile again at her kind response.
Biggest encouragement of my career so far (save that from Scriptures).
Also, when I enjoy an author’s work, I either review the book on my blog or send them a message.
That works.
I’m more discouraged now, about my writing and life in general, that have ever been…but that does not let me off the duty to encourage others, and to look for the good in their work and their hearts, and sing its praises.
* God has beaten it into me that my life is not about me, and it never was. It’s about reaching out in love and handing on hope.
And you’re very good at it, Barnabas!
I hope you can be encouraged knowing how much you do bless and encourage others, Andrew…through this blog and I know in so many other ways.
May the peace of the Lord be with you today.
“…my life is not about me, and it never was. It’s about reaching out in love and handing on hope.”
Andrew, you nailed it. That’s true for all of us.
*Your comments here give me a lot to think about, as well as a different perspective to consider. Thank you.
One of the practical ways I encouraged people, especially newcomers, when I worked in sci/tech was to look for opportunities to introduce them to people who were well established and shared their interests. You never know when that personal introduction might open a door for both parties, and it’s fun to watch when you know you helped it happen.
Both my first grade teacher and 7th grade teacher provided important encouragement at very fragile times in my life by sending me to young writer’s conferences. An agent who took the time to say “I love your writing” even when she also said that she wished I’d write something she could sell. Editors who’ve taken time to say “I love your story” even when declining on taking me on. These things keep you going, and of course when you kiddos sneak a story you’ve written into bed to read after lights out. That is priceless!
I’ve started leaving reviews of books that I love on Amazon and sometimes goodreads. This is something I never did before, but I’m seeing the value for the author and now wish to pass on my enjoyment of their art to others. It is easier with writers that you know personally as an email or word in person can be given. With writers that I see once a year at conference, it is simply listening to their ideas and asking about what they are working on. Everyone loves to be asked about their passion.
I don’t always have a chance to post a comment, but the encouragement from the B&S community is such a blessing. I love reading the uplifting words of kindness that flow back and forth between everyone.
I found out one of my books made a big difference in the life of a kid who read it. And a newspaper article I wrote really helped one man. NOTHING could be more encouraging than touching lives! Of course I wouldn’t mind getting rich as a best-selling author, but that’s likely, and not nearly as important in the ultimate scheme of things.
When I was in high school I showed a story to my English teacher. She was the first one to encourage me to keep learning about writing and reading good books. The fact she took me and my writing seriously as a high schooler really spurred me on. And now, as an unpublished still learning writer, when people ask about my WIP and say they want to read my story someday, it keeps me going. To know people are interested in my story and cheering me on means so much. I want to encourage authors I love to keep on too. I love recommending books through social media and follow many authors. It’s a great way to shoot them a quick word, especially if I’ve seen they’re on deadline.
Rachel,
Different people encouraged me. The first who comes to mind is a teacher in 7th grade. Others are writing friends. A couple years ago I submitted a devotional to a magazine. The magazine accepted it, published it and put it online. I read the online comments. The recurring theme was, “This is what I needed to read this morning”. That was both encouraging and humbling, as well as an illustration of God’s work in the timing of everything.
*As far as encouraging someone, I send emails, or contact the publisher to get an address to write the author. I’ve heard from some authors; they are thrilled that I took the time to write. I am thrilled they took the time to write back! 🙂
*Encouragement is important for everyone to give and receive; it’s especially so for writers, because generally writing is a solitary activity.
A young college student told her mom that my blog encouraged her and kept her going. Her mom passed those words along to me so that they, in turn, encouraged me and helped keep me going. ‘Lovely how God works!
When my first novel released, a fellow author offered to host my first book-signing at her home. She provided the refreshments and really took the time to give me tips on how to do a successful event. I really appreciated that since I was a newbie at the time. – Now that I am about to have my third novel released, I try to pay things forward by helping other authors that I have met.I am truly blessed and thankful for what God has given me and want to help others find success in writing as well.
At a writer’s conference I took a fellow conferee to meet an editor even though I knew it was going to compete with my own proposal. But it meant the world to that new writer.
What a wonderful post, Rachel. It is so important for us to support each other. I have been blogging and reviewing books since 2007. For a few years a group from my writing school had a forum going and they called me the inspiration maven because I would post inspirational quotes all the time. Thanks for speaking about the important of this.