Encourage Other Writers

 

One of the reasons I started this blog nearly thirteen years ago was to encourage other writers. With all the self-doubts and fears writers tend to have, they need every bit of encouragement they can get. The sub-title of my blog says My Writing World With Tips and Encouragement for Writers. That covers a broad area, but I truly did, and continue to, encourage other writers. 

I feel that all writers should do what they can when they can to encourage other writers. Especially those who have seen some success in their craft. Be willing to share what you've learned along the path of your writing journey. How can you do that?

If you're asked to teach a workshop or present a topic at a conference, do it. Sometimes, your first thought is that you don't have time to prepare. It will take away from your writing time. But, remember that others before you presented workshops and programs that helped you. It's only fair to give back by sharing what you've learned. The side benefit is getting your name and your work out in the big world. 

Have you ever thought about mentoring a new writer? Writers who are in the early stages of writing can benefit greatly from having a mentor. Yes, it takes more of your time, and maybe your efforts won't always be completely welcome, but if you do help a writer to move along their own path, it can be a very good feeling. 

What about writing an article on the craft of writing. If it gets published, you're definitely encouraging other writers by helping them to learn something new or re-enforcing something they already knew. Again, you will reap the benefits of having your article published. 

If you're in a critique group, give as much encouragement in your critiques as you do suggestions for improvement. If all you do is point out what areas need work, it's rather defeating to the writer. Add some encouraging remarks, too.

If you think something complimentary about another writer, take a little time to drop a note or an email and tell them. It only takes a few minutes, and it could mean a lot to them. 

Hopefully, other writers have given you some encouragement as you traverse your own writing journey. 

Writers--Lend a Helping Hand

 Lend a Helping Hand

How can writers lend a helping hand to others? Let me count the ways!

Mentoring a newbie writer

Doing critiques in a writing group

Offering individual help away from the writing group

Give programs about writing to help others interested in writing

Make school visits to talk about writing

Offer to judge a writing contest

Accept an office in a local, state, or national writing organization

Promote writing whenever and wherever possible

Offering a blog for writers

Writing a book review for an author

I have been blessed with the ability to put words and sentences together to create stories, essays, and poetry many of which have been published. I've always felt that it is part of my mission in this life to help others who want to write or are writers already. It's why I started this blog in 2009. My aim was to share a bit of my writing world and to give tips and encouragement to other writers. 

If you're having coffee or a drink with a writer friend, the conversation that ensues is most likely helpful to each person participating. For one thing, it's an upper to converse with someone who understands the writing world like you do. At the end of a get-together with another writer, you usually feel a sense of satisfaction. Don't wait until a writer asks you to have coffee. Do the asking yourself. 

By giving programs or workshops or talking to school children, you're a walking advertisement for the writing world. You're helping others, and often finding real joy in doing so. 

I once edited a YA novel for a man I knew slightly. By the end of the process, he was grateful, I was incredibly happy that I could help someone polish a fine book, and we became good friends with all our back and forth emails. That small helping hand had benefits for both of us.

I once heard a rather selfish writer state that he/she wasn't giving away the secrets to his/her good writing. The attitude was 'let them learn on their own.' My thought is that if I help someone, they can do the same for me someday, but I also find happiness in helping even if I receive little or nothing in return.

Taking an office in a writing organization may be work, but it's also a way to help the group continue and to give a hand to those who prefer to sit and soak up what they can but not serve on committees or consent to be an officer. Many of them have valid reasons for declining, but others are not willing to give something of themselves. 

Writing book reviews is an easy and fine way to help other writers. It's something that also helps readers who are always on the lookout for a new book to read.

There are many ways to help other writers without eating too deeply into your own writing time.  

Stories Needed For Anthology on Strong Women

Chicken Soup for the Soul has a call for stories for a new title in their series of anthologies. This is a change from the original title of the book which was You Go, Girl. They have changed titles before publication on a few other books, and it always makes me wonder why. Color me curious! 

Nevertheless, stories are needed in a short time frame for Be You. Deadline is January 31. The stories should illustrate the three things listed in the subtitle--Affirmation, Determination and Female Empowerment. In a nutshell, they are seeking tales about strong women who aren't afraid to make their mark in this world. 

The following is taken from their call for stories page: 

We are looking for your true stories on how you are living your best life, building quality relationships, and living well even while overcoming challenges, to be the best version of YOU. Your story will inspire and encourage women of all ages to be unapologetically themselves!

Note the words true and stories. They are two of the major guidelines. What you send must be true, and it must be a story with a beginning, middle, and end. A story that illustrates the theme. It cannot be a factual essay or a sermon. A story! Many who submit do not adhere to these two specific guidelines and their subs are tossed immediately. 

On the Possible Book Topics page, you'll see the call for the Be You book. There will be a list of possible topics to help trigger your memory. The list is quite lengthy, so spend some time studying it to see if you have something you might write about. 

Next, go to the Story Guidelines page and study the lengthy guidelines. Again, it will be to your benefit to know what the guidelines tell you. If you choose not to follow them, your sub will be discarded. A word about guidelines--you'll find publications, contests etc that give lengthy guidelines, a short bit of guidelines, or none at all. I prefer knowing exactly what a publication or contest wants. Note that root word 'guide' which is to help you find your way to success.

The lot of women has changed greatly over the years, and this is your opportunity to show how you became a modern, strong, determined woman. Go for it! But get those stories in by January 31st. 

Story Seeds

 The seeds above will be sown, fed with rains from above and grow to a lovely flower. It doesn't happen overnight. To plant a seed, then nurture it to fruition takes time, patience, and some faith.

Our writing is much the same. Have you ever been out for a stroll when a glimmer of an idea for a new story pops into your mind? Maybe something you noticed while walking triggered it. Or perhaps the mere state of being alone with your thoughts allowed the thought to come. That is the seed. Now, it's up to you to do something with it.

Most seeds left untouched will eventually dry up and blow away. No one will ever see the flowers they might have become. The story seed will do the same unless you take some action. How? What? When? After all, this seed came while you were outside, far from your computer or notepad.

We can retain the thought until we return home, especially if we keep thinking about that tiny seed of an idea. How can we expand on it? Play the What if...? game with that bit of an idea. At home, make a few notes. If you're really inspired, go ahead and start on the first draft. It's not necessary to do it immediately. 

When I have that tiny seed of an idea, I often let it swirl in my mind for several days, or even weeks. The more time I give it, the more sprouts it shoots out. When I'm ready to plant, I start that first draft.

The feeding and watering of the seed you've planted take place with every revision, every edit that you do.  Call your story finished and you can consider it in full bloom. 

I used the example of receiving the seed of a story while out on a walk but it can happen anywhere, often when you least expect it. That's what is so exciting to me. Out of nowhere comes an idea for a new writing project. It could hit you while you're filling the dishwasher or walking down the aisle of your grocery store. You could be having lunch with friends when a casual remark one of them makes becomes the seed for your next story. 

Story seeds are everywhere. It's up to you to find them and use them and bless each and every one.