Blogger: Rachel Kent
A Books & Such client received a glowing review from her editor this week and that author is on Cloud 9 because of the praise. The editor said that the book was the best first draft she has ever seen. This kind of encouragement can help a writer to keep on going in the midst of the craziness of publishing. We all know how easy it is to get discouraged.
In my job as an agent, I am encouraged when books that I believe in are picked up for publication, given great reviews, or are picked for awards. I love it when my clients share reader letters with me that show that their books have made a difference in readers’ lives. That’s the ultimate goal for me. I want to help get books out that will make a difference. It seems like whenever I begin to get discouraged, a great review or reader letter–or some other encouragement–is brought to my attention and God shows me that I am doing what I should be doing for now.
My husband and parents are also wonderful encouragers. They are the ones who encouraged me to start agenting when I was nervous about stepping out and trying something new. I’m so thankful I did! They continue to encourage me nearly every day.
Last, but not least, the others at Books & Such are amazing encouragers. Whenever I feel like I need help or to be lifted up they are there for me with advice and a listening ear.
What encourages you in your writing journey?
Have you ever had the experience of encouragement coming right when you need it most? If you feel comfortable sharing a bit of that story we’d love to hear it!
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Anne Love
Thanks for the post Rachel. I know what you mean about your husband–mine is very supportive. Just when I think it’s a pipe dream, he’s telling someone in conversation how I’ve written a book. I can see the confidence he has in me.
Writing friends, writing friends, writing friends—best encouragement ever.
Jill Kemerer
Your hubby sounds like a keeper, Anne!!
Jeanne T
Having an amazing husband and encouraging friends enable us to press on when we want to give up, don’t they?
Jennifer Major
My husband isn’t the typical Hallmark romantic (which is a nice way of saying he’s not Mr Mushy) but he will brag me up to a rock, because he’s so proud of me. Because he is in scientific research, he understands the need for me to experience the environment in which I write. So what did he say when I was invited to take off for 2 weeks last summer to do a road trip through Navajo country?? “Well, it’s for your work, isn’t it? Have a great time.”
He is my biggest supporter and yet he hasn’t read a word of anything I’ve written! HA!
And just this week, when I was weary from that uphill climb of writer-hood, someone dropped a giant bucket of encouragement on top of me and blew me away. No, I’m not saying what it was, but it had God’s fingerprints all over it.
Jill Kemerer
Ha, ha! I hear you, Jennifer! Love when God gives us the boost right when we need it most. 🙂
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
It’s great that you are blessed to have such a supportive husband, Jennifer. And I’m glad that God sent you encouragement just when you needed it.
Jeanne T
You have an amazing husband, Jennifer. And I love when God encourages us when we need it most!
Rick Barry
Rachel, I echo your observation about letters from readers being a major encouragement. Sometimes it’s feedback from an article, sometimes from my fiction. The responses from readers are so unpredictable. For instance, a travel agent in Texas who was diagnosed with cancer wrote to say the hero in my WW II historical novel had taught her important lessons. (My book had nothing to do with cancer.) A teen girl read the same book and said it gave her help following an automobile accident.
To me, it’s the connection with readers that makes the hours at the keyboard worthwhile. Knowing that God is using my writing to make a difference keeps me plugging away.
Jeanne T
I haven’t had this sort of encouragement yet, but encouragement must be beyond satisfying when it comes in this form.
Grace
Of all the praise that could come for your writing–from family, friends, editors, publishers–I think the best kind is from readers! Glad you got to experience that kind of affirmation.
Norma Horton
Lovely blog, Rachel. I may receive the Bubba Gump award for this response, but I’m so encouraged just to get up in the morning in a place I love, and do something I love. I had 25 years in the high-stress corporate thing (which I enjoyed), but honestly? I love the research, the writing, the editing…and learn from every bit of advice, criticism, and direction.
Plus, I have Mary Keeley and DiAnn Mills, whose faith in my work is incredibly motivating. And Ranchman the Superhero doesn’t understand any of this, but we’ve rode in enough of life’s rodeos, having no clue what the other was doing, and he’s holding the reins as I enter this new arena.
Yee haw?
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Norma, it’s wonderful that you seem to be in a good place in your life right now, and even more wonderful that you are grateful for it. 🙂
Norma Horton
I am very, very thankful.
Lindsay Harrel
Encouragement is CRUCIAL in this field! Without it, I would have stopped long ago, I’m sure. I’m encouraged whenever I write a scene that just seems to click, when my CP and beta readers tell me they like my writing, and when I do well in a contest. I’m also encouraged to gather together with other writers at a retreat or conference and just soak in our mutual love for words and God. Such an amazing bond that creates!
Sarah Thomas
PEOPLE. Writing friends, family (while my husband is super proud of me, no one can out-brag my mom), my agent, my editors . . . PEOPLE. Who knew the lonely life of the writer would be so relational??
Jill Kemerer
I’m echoing Anne, Jennifer, and Norma–hands down, my husband! He has scraped me off the floor on more than one occasion. Scratched his head when I spazzed out (really, I don’t even know what I was babbling about that time!), and he’s flat out told me I was meant to write–he’s my biggest supporter.
My family always encourages me. My writer friends always encourage me.
Early this year, my book needed revisions, and I couldn’t pinpoint the problem. God stepped in and nudged an author I admire to reach out and offer to help. My heart still gets giddy and humble thinking about it–He’s so good to me. I’ve had many experiences like that. God sent help the exact minute I needed it. Amazing!
Jill Kemerer
Aack! I forgot the other big encourager in my life–YOU! Thank you!!
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
My critique group and my sister encourage me. I find it particularly encouraging that there are members of the critique group who, when I first started sharing my novel with them, announced that they were absolutely not into reading fantasy, but who now are into the story. Equally encouraging is that there are members who are BIG YA fiction readers and they tell me each week that they are eager for the next installment.
All of you at Books and Such have been an incredible source of encouragement as well, particularly you, Wendy and Janet. Not that Mary, Rachelle and Michelle aren’t, but I just have felt more of a connection with the three of you and have found your blogs so helpful. I always look forward to reading them even when I either am too busy to comment or am too late to get in on the conversation.
God is the top encourager in my life and not only in regards to writing. One writing-related instance of this was a little over a year ago when I not only considered giving up working towards publication, I also had a point where my self-confidence had evaporated and I was thinking that I had deceived myself into thinking that I had ever had any writing talent. Shortly after the day that I crashed on the rocks of desolation, I received a professional writing critique that I requested from Writer’s Digest on a portion of a novel that I was witing (not my current WIP). The critiquer, a professional writer with a number of published novels on her resume, apologized for “not having many suggestions” because, she said, the writing was excellent. A couple of days later, she emailed me the name and address of her agent. She suggested that, when I felt ready to send out the manuscript, I should send it to her agent and she offered to recommend me. Besides being encouraging, it was exactly what I needed at that time to keep me from giving up writing altogether. Now when I feel discouraged or inadequate, I just remember that and it gives me hope that writing is not just a gift that God has given to me, but one that He wants me to share.
Blessings!
Rachel Kent
Wonderful! Thanks, Christine!
Jeanne T
I loved this Rachel. God has given me an amazing husband who has encouraged me time and again since I began this journey. He talks story with me. He reads my “man” scenes and helps me man my characters up in some scenes. I think I’ve ruined movies for him for life because we talk about story elements afterwards. I knew I’d gotten to him when he began pointing out certain elements.
I’ve got friends who brainstorm with me, who speak words of truth to me, who help me figure things out, like blogging (shout out to Jill, Lindsay, Gabrielle). And, my mom, and friends who don’t write (and who may think I’m just a wee bit crazy) have also talked my books up to other people.
God has also encouraged me with a couple contest finals, also. Times when I have pondered giving up, He’s surprised me with a call or an email, which gave me the courage to keep moving forward.
Reading truth on blogs worded in ways that speak to where I am on a difficult day has also encouraged me. Okay, I guess I can stop now. Thanks for reminding me how much I have to be thankful for in the form of people and God-incidences on this writing journey.
Larry
I once had a fellow writer say, “Either you are a writer, or you aren’t.”
Simple as that.
It is good to see that writers are finally starting to realize that they are not defined by the acceptance of their writing by an industry which literally is becoming obsolete due to the inability of those within it to actually acquire books which the public wants.
Seeing the communities of writers finding their voices, that is what I find encouraging, not only as a writer, but as a reader.
Julie Mann
I have definitely experienced times when I was just so down and needed some sort of sign that I was doing what I’m supposed to be doing, and normally that comes in the form of one of my parents. My mom is amazing, she just seems to know when I need a little something, be it a card or a pack of gum with a note saying that she believes in me and knows I can do it.
Another thing that keeps me going is every person that comments on my blog and has something encouraging to say. I can’t thank them, or tell them how much I appreciate them, enough. 🙂
Rachel Kent
You have an awesome mom! 🙂
Cynthia Herron
Echoing a lot of folks here–my husband is my all-round biggest supporter! (He recently spent about 18+ hrs putting together my new easy-to-assemble office furniture!)
And I must include my super-encouraging agent (waving at you, Mary!), my writing friends, and the great B & S community, as well!
Happy Writing all!
Jennette
Great post! And we definitely need encouragement.
My hubby is my biggest supporter, but most of my encouragement from the past 10 years has been from God. After I had written the rough draft, and then started learning about craft, I got discouraged a lot, but through it all, God kept confirming my journey in little ways. Like,finding what I needed, when I needed it (critique group, books, websites, etc), coming across memories I had forgotten: old children’s stories I wrote when I was eight, a short story assignment in high school the teacher had wrote across the top “If you don’t find a job using this talent, it would be a sin!” Winning a hardback journal not once, but three times, that’s a long story, but as much as I loved “real” journals, I could never bring myself to write in anything other than the cheapest notebook, even though I have a shelf full of journals people gave me, so I started finally writing in them. 🙂 Little things like that, the struggles I was going through, it confirmed me, kept me going even when I was ready to walk away from it all.
Then my first short stories were published in an anthology. A lady friend called to tell me that she was talking to her friend who was struggling with alcohol and depression. She had shared that the stories in the anthology were about facing our demons and whether or not we will give in or resist. She was intrigued, bought and read the book, and then decided to check into rehab. That had me on my face in a good way. 🙂
Sarah Sundin
I could not have survived my pre-pub days without the amazing encouragement and cheerleading of friends and family. One sweet lady from church who’d read my rough draft offered to start a letter-writing campaign to publishers to convince them to publish me. ACK!! Please, please don’t, I begged her. But I appreciated her thoughtfulness and enthusiasm.
Now that I’m published, that same group of friends still cheers me on. They know nothing about writing/publishing, but they provide prayer and emotional support – and they tell all their friends to buy me books too.
I have a huge cloud of encouragers within the writing world too – people who also aren’t afraid to slap me upside the head when I need it. Those are the best kind of friends – then when they offer words of praise, it really means something.
Ashley Mays
I’m always encouraged when I share the story of my writing journey with friends and family (and whoever will listen!). I love, love, love little details and minutiae I think God put there just because he knew it would make me smile. 🙂 I love paying attention to the details and putting together the pieces then hunting for glimpses of the bigger picture God sees.
Sarah Tipton
One of the biggest encouragements I received recently was finding a story I’d written on my blog 2 years ago had been linked to by a complete stranger on her blog. Discovering someone I’d never met found something I’d written worth sharing with her readers was a huge confidence booster! And that discovery came at a time when I’d been questioning whether or not I was on the right path. It felt like a whisper from God that my writing isn’t ignored.
Connie Almony
What encourages me? When I started writing seriously I thought, “This is so much fun. How could anyone not do it?” But then, I heard/felt that still small voice say, “It won’t always be fun, but I want you to keep going when it gets really really hard.” I didn’t know what the voice meant by “really really hard” back then, but it held a foreboding that made me take heed. I remember this voice/feeling whenever I think maybe I should quit.
God also knows He needs to prod me again and again. I have a reader’s blog and a ministry blog. I “over-watch” my stats sometimes, which can be discouraging on certain days. My ministry blog doesn’t have near the numbers as the other blog so I’ve considered, often, discontinuing it and focusing my efforts in areas that would be more helpful in platform building. Then I see something like “My mom just up and left” in the search phrases of my stats and wonder who might happen upon this blog who might need to see God. Another time I wanted to quit that blog, I read a status on a Third Day Fan FB page by a member sharing a story about her father who was about to die. I asked if I could share that story with my readers. She said yes and we’ve been e-friends ever since, praying for each other and sharing struggles. The timing is always at the point I want to quit, so I’m guessing God is calling me to press on.
Karen Barnett
Great post, Rachel! I’ve got to say–YOU are one of my encouragers!
My husband, who wisely responds to my concerns with “Let’s pray about it and see what God says.”
And so many of the writers I’ve met through my critique group, Oregon Christian writers, Mt. Hermon, and ACFW. I love the Christian writing community. Such a joy to know we’re all on the same team. In particular, Sarah Sundin has “talked me off the ledge” a few times in my writing career. She always quick to reassure me with a story of something similar she’s been through. I’ll always think of her as my big sister, writing-wise. 🙂
Rachel Kent
You encourage me too! 😉
Lindsay A. Franklin
Having short stories accepted for publication and receiving positive feedback from bestselling authors at conferences has been bolstering for me in times of discouragement. But it’s really the people in my life who are my biggest encouragement.
The #1 spot is filled by my husband. He’s not always jumping up and down to read whatever I’ve written (he’ll only look at stuff after the MS is 100% complete, and even then it’s not like I’ll be getting a ton of feedback from him), but he’s the one taking the kids to the park, cooking dinner, or sending me away for a peaceful weekend so that I can get my writing done. He finances my writing-related travel without the slightest twinge of hesitation, even though we’re a single-income family and he’d certainly be entitled to spend that money elsewhere. At the risk of sounding like the lamest person ever, he’s pretty much the wind beneath my wings. 😉
Close runners-up:
1. My sister, who is my first-reader. She gives me some of the best layperson notes EVER. She casts my novels with famous people, which lets me know if I’m on-target with my physical descriptions. She also reads all my stories aloud to her husband, tapping into her stage background by using the appropriate accents and giving each character a unique voice. She’s incredible.
2. My critique partners. They’re prayerful and supportive, yet still willing to give it to me straight. Yeah, I see you up there, Ashley and Sarah Tipton. 🙂
3. And of course, my agent, who has believed in my writing every step of the way and never given up on me. Rachel, you’re the best.
Rachel Kent
🙂 love it! And I love my job as encourager because you and my other clients always encourage me in return.
There are so many amazing spouses and supporters! I’m cheering for them all today. Great job!!!
Donna Clark Goodrich
My weekly critique group, Tuesday’s Children, which has been meeting for over 15 years; also getting letters from readers. One man wrote, who had lost his wife and read an article I had in Decision about the night I told my mother good-bye (after she had been gone 11 years), wrote, “Now I can go on with my life.” That’s worth more than any check!
Sharla Fritz
Wonderful thoughts, Rachel. Probably what encourages me most in my writing journey is notes or emails from my readers! In the past week I have received a card in the mail and a FB message from women who both wrote beautiful encouraging notes! Last month one woman who was visiting relatives in my area contacted me and asked if she could come over to my house to get my autograph!
While I would love to be making more money at this writing business–those moments make all the hours at the computer worth it!
Mona Hodgson
Thanks for the post, Rachel. My readers notes, emails, Facebook posts seem Divinely timed for those times I need encouragement.
Sue Harrison
I’m blending my voice into comments from others here. My husband is a huge encourager. He was the one who urged me to stay home and write when we really, really needed the money I could bring in from a job. Twice, he has finished one of my novels and cried. That is joy to me.
Next for me is my agent. That’s a professional opinion and huge in my heart. I can’t tell you, Rachel, how much even a Twitter reply or a reply to one of my emails means to me. I can gather energy from those small things to last me for months.
Some of my editors, even from years and years ago, maintain a connection with me, and that is such a professional commendation that sometimes I can believe that I’m a real writer!
Then my readers. Oh my, I can’t even begin to number the times that a letter, email, or post brings me to grateful tears.
But on my worst days, my most doubtful times, the one who hovers close and holds me tight is my Lord, the Great Comforter.
Heather Day Gilbert
Ah, yes. There have been so many times in the past five years of writer-dom that I’ve seriously been on the brink of quitting. God always sends someone along to bolster me, to encourage me to keep trying and writing. Usually it’s someone I never expected. But in the past couple of years, I’ve also been blessed with so many wonderful friendships with authors–the only ones (besides my long-suffering hubby) who listen when I start using terminology like, “MC, genre, blogging, platform,” and on and on. I cannot wait until I someday have a book to share, because I feel like so many people have been in this journey with me. And every day I am thankful for them!
Jenni Brummett
The encouragement I received from faculty at Mount Hermon this year was humbling.
My exuberant daughter and my parents encourage my heart as I grow in my writing.
I love the way the Lord imbeds certain verses from his Word into my brain, and how they fit into the context of the story I’m writing.
I’m also encouraged by the new secret Pinterest board I started for my WIP. Great motivation to keep pen to paper. 🙂
Paula
I wish I had more to say. I used to get encouragement from everyone in my creative writing class in college, and back then my advisor was very impressed and I even won an award once.
I get rejections from pro markets that tell me that that particular story isn’t quite a good fit but they would love to see more of my work. I’ve heard that isn’t said lightly or often.
I finally got on board volunteering with my church – gathering and writing testimonies from people whose lives were changed by Jesus. I am shocked at how positively the team leaders speak to me about my writing and how genuine they are when they say they hope I’ll stay on this team.
This is a difficult period right now. Thank you for reminding me to think of the times when I was encouraged. (Not coincidentally, I was also well-rested and did not have both my kids in a demanding sort of phase). A better day is coming – I haven’t lost my skills, I’m just stretched thin at the moment.
Rachel Kent
Hang in there, Paula! God gave you this passion for a reason. Sending a virtual hug!
Paula
Thanks, Rachel. I’m not usually so down, but lately… it’s hard not to think I’ll have a blank acknowledgements page. 😉
Kathy Boyd Fellure
My husband and daughter are my biggest supporters. Like Lindsay, my husband is a behind the scenes guy. He helps with finances for conferences and accompanies me to the children’s book signings, loading and unloading the car. And that is a big help.
My pre-published novels have evoked more patience and verbal encouragement. This is when I hand over my manuscript to my daughter, my #1 critiquer and reader. She is brutally honest and always ends on a positive note.
The prayer team for the novel journey and my regular critique group are huge encouragers too. And dear Cathy Elliott, a fellow Bookie, is my trusted, “Remember to leave it all in God’s hands.” audio reminder.
My agent Wendy is a blessing and encouragement every step of the way, in word and deed. Her belief in my writing and thoughtful nature make a difference at just the right time.
(The recent request for my hand in marriage from a seven year old boy at an elementary school read, and the $2.25 a girl in his class proudly waved to buy one of my $16.95 children’s books, just tickled that soft spot in my heart that sent me home with a smile from ear to ear. They make it all so worth every aspect of the job.) 🙂
Jenni Brummett
This is fantastic Kathy!
donnie and doodle
I have always considered the Holy Spirit to be my muse. All my stories come out of the air and have a sense of good will and morality to them.
My dog Doodle used to be a daily encouragement to me but unfortunately, I had to put her to sleep. But she will continue to encourage my spirit.
Rachel Kent
Aw, I’m so sorry! I hate that pets die. 🙁 I’m thankful you had all those years of love and encouragement from her!
donnie and doodle
Thanks Rachel,
You have a heart of gold.
don
Grace
As a new writer, I haven’t yet experienced the praise of an editor/publisher, but I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from private tutors and classmates. It certainly makes my heart swell like a bubble!
I have a positive attitude toward rejection, too, since everyone keeps telling me there is going to be so much of it. I got my first rejection email recently, which redoubled my efforts because I have a goal to get fifty rejections this year. Somewhere in there, someone will accept it, right? Keeping my fingers crossed!
Kristen Joy Wilks
I started this manuscript almost 10 years ago and I have gotten many rejections. It gets discouraging and I wonder if perhaps every word I’ve put down in these stories is trash. I’ve gotten some encouraging rejections, they like my characters or they like my voice or my setting. But I wonder if the agent or editor is just trying to be kind. Then at our little local writers conference this year I was in a first page critique class with the editor of clubhouse magazine. He went over a bunch of different styles for opening a piece and then he read our first pages out loud. I snuck several into the pile. And when he came to my first pages I got to see the whole room sit forward in their seats and listen and ask him to read just one more paragraph when he stopped. Wow! I have never gotten to see people moved by my writing. It was just what I needed to keep going.
@Mile_by_Mile
Encouragement is so important in this field–not only for writers, but for editors, publishers and agents. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Writing can be such a challenge and I am grateful for anyone who asks me about my writing or offers suggestions. Criticism can get overwhelming at times, but for me it is always outweighed by the voices of encouragement. In the end, it is your own intrinsic motivation that carries you through. Every writer has deeply personal reasons for being driven to write. The other voices you hear commenting–from encouraging to critical–are what make the journey so much less lonely for me.