Blogger: Mary Keeley
Writing is a life-long learning process. Just ask veteran authors and they will tell you. Call it the Writing-LLL course. I’m devoting today’s post to celebrating writers.
Maybe it’s that the scent of spring is finally in our Midwest air. Fresh. Soon we’ll be opening the windows and cleaning away cobwebs from the dry winter season. Hmm. Sounds similar to writing seasons.
I celebrate you writers, published and yet to be published, who have persevered seemingly endless winters of rejections, revisions, starting over, stalled careers, yet you continue marching forward because you are confident that if you persist in learning from them, spring will eventually arrive.
I celebrate you for writing and re-writing first drafts and receiving constructive feedback from critique partners with a teachable spirit, because you’re all about improving your WIP, and it’s good practice for the time an editor will expect that attitude from you. And then for digging into the second draft: the wordsmithing, the chopping, the smoothing, the polishing.
I celebrate writer critique partners who care enough about each other to be honest. Multiple sets of eyes catch things each one misses while deep into their work. Iron sharpening iron.
I celebrate writers for persevering on the other bullet points of your author job description:
- Identify who your book-buying readers are because you know if you don’t get this right early on, you’ll pay in poor sales later.
- Explore social media to find out where your readers hang out; invest time to nurture author-reader relationships with them; and comment on author and industry blogs because you’ve learned it increases your name recognition and germinates relationships with new readers.
- Balance your writing time with growing your author platform.
- Learn about the industry in order to communicate on a professional level.
The writing life is a tall task and you are tackling it. Take a short break from your work today to celebrate the large and small successes you’ve had in the past year. Let this be a breath of spring air into your writing soul.
Share a writing success, major or minor, that meant a lot to you and your career. And celebrate others who comment on their successes. I’m on the road today and might not be able to reply, but I look forward to reading and celebrating writers with you as I can.
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More and more I see that writing is a privilege, and if I never make another cent form another million words, I’ve already become rich beyond avarice.
I’ve made friends who have seen through my words to look into my heart, who accepted what they saw, and stayed.
Awww, look at you Andrew. You’re celebrating relationships. Here I was ready to go in the task direction of writing. I love that your comment is first and that its focus is what it is. 🙂
Relationships are really everything..they’re the source of our union with God…”wherever two or more are gathered in my name”.
They’re why I write. The only reason.
Yes, Andrew. This journey definitely has its highs and lows … but the friendships seem to stabilize everything and encourage the effort to advance.
I learned an interesting truth from some Boer mercenaries with whom I worked –
The linked arms of friends are a bridge across the abyss, and forms the handrail on the path to Heaven.
What a perfect sentiment, Andrew!
What a great reminder. So true. Thank you!
And learned from you on how to survive just about anything, and quote 14th Century Japanese military theory.
🙂
Thank you for that, Jennifer.
I celebrate the wisdom and friends I’ve gained from this blog. A toast of gratitude to Books & Such–may there be many more seasons to come!
Shirlee, the writer friends we make are so wonderful, indeed!
Amen!
I have to agree with what Andrew and Shirlee have shared. The relationships built by stepping “out there,” and the wisdom gleaned, has been huge for me. I love this site, and the people I’ve met here. They’ve made my life much richer.
Strictly on the writing aspect of success, I would say my biggest professional success to date has been winning a writing contest last fall. It was unexpected and exciting. And it is a reminder to me that I’m heading in the right direction, and making progress in learning craft.
Congratulations on your win, Jeanne! That must have been thrilling.
Thanks, Teresa. It’s nice to “meet” you. 🙂
Congrats, Jeanne. That’s a significant achievement. Yay!
Sometimes “stepping out there” is really really hard.
But making friends with writers is like expanding a family we actually get to choose.
Andrew and Shirlee have expressed what many of us feel. God blesses us with friends we know only by an avatar photo, yet we’re part of each other’s hopes and dreams.
I’m a Genesis category coordinator this year so it’s my privilege to ensure entries are formatted correctly. After one contestant and I emailed back and forth a few times, she noticed “alpaca keeper” in my personal (as opposed to professional) email signature. Lo and behold, she raises miniature donkeys and has an energetic way of writing an email that gets me giggling. How fun is that?!
Johnnie – I’m new to a few writer circles, and have to agree that forming relationships is so wonderful. And, alpaca keeper, how fun!
Teresa, I began my entry into writer circles just over a year ago. This blog has blessed my life in many ways. These people are encouragers. 🙂
The alpacas are interesting creatures. Sometimes you feel like they’re looking down their noses at you, and you can’t help wondering why they feel so superior!
So glad you’re here!
Little donkeys…hmmm…
Burritos?
Good one, Andrew. LOL (And really, I did!)
Bahahaha!! Good one.
I love how friendships are formed. Sweet story, Johnnie. 🙂
I love the unique ways God connects His children. 🙂
That is so cool!!!
Oh, how right you all are. The relationships blooming with fellow writers I’ve been “meeting” lately are already proving priceless. I hope to get to know some of you better as well.
As for successes, I am proud to have finished my first manuscript and be nearing the completion of my first formal edit. Joining ACFW is a highlight of the last month, as is participating in the Scribes critique group. I feel committed more than ever to recognizing myself as an author!
That’s wonderful, Teresa! 🙂
Thanks, Shelli. I look forward to getting to know you, too. 🙂
Way to go, Teresa! Your enthusiasm shines through your words, and your eyes in your photo. 🙂
Welcome to this wonderful community, Teresa! What genre of fiction do you write?
welcome to the clan!!
I KNOW many writers are still in search of their dream agent, and I am very aware that there are those who have yet to sign with an agency. So, please don’t think I am feeling superior in any way.
For me, it was the pure joy of The Offer, during a ‘tea party’ I had with a certain agent on September 15, 2013 at approximately 10am, Indianapolis time.
I am celebrating with you! I can’t wait to read your works, Jennifer. 🙂 I’m so enjoying going down the row of commenters here, reading their works, discovering their unique writing styles. 🙂
Thank you!!
It was fun to share a bit in that joy on that day, Jennifer. 🙂 You are an inspiration. 🙂
That was quite a day, wasn’t it? I am SOOOO glad we could share it.
Whoo hoo! I love your “how I signed with an agent” story.
Thanks! And I also have a “ugly cry and get mascara everywhere” story, and oddly enough, it occured right around that same time.
Mary, thanks for the encouragement today. I think my two biggest highlights were signing with you and winning the Genesis. But even tiny things can make a huge difference for a writer!
One of my highlights? Meeting up with you in the airport after ACFW and just chilling before our flights.
Thank you, Mary, for this affirming post!
I pray for your safe travel.
This is a fun read. I celebrate the caring spirit in this group and the friendships gained. I appreciate the fine blog offerings. I also celebrate the readers who read our writings, the blessings bounce back and forth between us. My readers are touched by something I’ve written which in return touches me.