The
other day I read a blog post that gave me pause. A writer had been castigated
by another writer because she was looking for an agent instead of self-pubbing.
Now given all the changes in Amazon’s algorithms and how that’s radically
affecting indie e-books, it’s pretty foolish to think e-pubbing is the answer
to everything. Click here to learn more.
Regardless
of what path or paths you decide to choose in presenting your work to the world
or even if you write in a notebook and never show it to a living soul, we ought
to be encouraging one another.
As
I was mulling over the whole situation, I realized how rare it is for someone
to encourage someone else. I don’t know if it’s our culture or if it’s human
nature, but real encouragement is rare. And I’m not talking about the cheap
politically correct “everyone is special” mumbo-jumbo, but real, thoughtful
encouragement. Can you remember the last time you encouraged someone else? What
about the last time someone encouraged you?
I
remember a professor I had in college. Dr. Brown. He was an elderly man who
smoked way too much, but he had two rare gifts. First, he was a true genius.
The only one I have ever met. Two, he knew how to encourage. He encouraged me.
He wrote insightful comments on my papers and exams. He called on me in class
and complimented what I had to say. And guess what? I never worked as hard for
any literature class, ever. I spent every free hour learning everything I could
about critical theory and Restoration Literature, which I hate (except for Tristram Shandy—a marvel of wit that
breaks every rule of writing and does it with style). I was ready should Dr.
Brown say, “Connie, give me a Hegelian reading of Dryden’s ‘Ode for St.
Cecilia’s Day.’” And I would have been able to do it, even though I hate Hegel,
dislike Dryden, and the ode—meh. I became a Pamela
expert, despite that fact that Samuel Richardson poured every ounce of his
prodigious tediousness into the novel. And I did that all because this man
encouraged me.
Can
you imagine what we could do if we encouraged each other? What about you all? Any
stories of encouragement you’d like to share?
I would say that the writing blogosphere is proof positive that an encouraging environment can work wonders. My own writing journey has had lots of momentum because of that support.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lydia. I'm constantly wowed by how supportive and positive the writing blogosphere has been. The positive reinforcement makes me want to be a better blogger and a better writer. :)
ReplyDeleteLydia and Krispy,
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, the encouragement of other writers within the blogosphere is wonderful. Sometimes even knowing that someone else is digging out of plot holes is wonderfully reassuring.