Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Little bits of encouragement picked up along the way can be lifelines to authors during the difficult and depressing moments that sometimes threaten the writing journey.
What is one of your lifelines? What encouraging word or gesture has made a difference for you?
Something has to be really powerful to overcome all the clamoring voices of self-doubt and discouragement. And nothing is as significant to me as having an agent say, “I believe in you and your work.”
Thank you, Janet.
The most encouraging words come from the many writers and bloggers I’ve built relationships with through blogging. I’ve never met any of these in person, but the many emails, tweets and blog comments we’ve shared has encouraged me and built me up along the path.
Just this week, one of my favorite authors, Travis Thrasher, posted a great comment on my blog. I know it only took him a moment, but it had me smiling all day.
I recently experienced a review which expounded on the meaningful experience of reading my novel. Blew me away. (Thank you, Josh Olds.) I need affirmation, and there’s nothing like someone reading your stuff and being moved to tears, exclamations, etc. Nothing like it. Thank you, Lord.
Paul, the apostle: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
When my husband acknowledged that I was truly a good writer and that he wanted to see me get published. This has sustained me, though it took almost 12 years for him to accept it.
Also, having my agent believe in me. After all, she took a chance when she asked to represent me, her encouragement drives me.
Susan May Warren has been a fantastic teacher and mentor to me. I reread some of her e-mails to remind myself someone thinks I can do this.
Music is my lifeline. For some reason, songs can speak to my heart at a deeper level than written or spoken word. My favorite for self-doubt and fear is “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe really ministers to my heart when I’m struggling with my writing. “I’m finding myself at a loss for words and the funny thing is, it’s okay. The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what You would say.”
Truthfully, I feel the POSTS that you, Janet & Wendy put on this site are a real encouragement. It’s a blessing to us that you take the time to provide rich content, interaction and advice on a daily basis. It keeps us connected with the expertise we need to hone our craft. We are on many islands, connected by important bridges such as these.
Lifeline? My hubby, hands down. He’s my rock in everything.
An encouraging word or gesture for me just happened recently. A published author commented positively on one of my novels going through critique.
I’m gonna keep that email for sure!
It just made my day.
One of my biggest encouragers passed away eight days ago. Lauri was my first editor, in fact she taught me how to edit with fearlessness, something greatly needed with a manuscript that at one time tipped the 300K mark. I have many of her emails and going back and rereading them still has the power to encourage. Being able to tell her that an agent offered me representation, in no small part because of her help, time and generosity, was the last news I was able to share with her. Her final note to me is posted on my blog. Thank you, Wendy. You didn’t know it, but you gave joy to a very special lady in her last weeks on this earth. Bless you!
Seriously… I get the biggest kick out of my wife’s compliments.
Wow, its so nice to see people saying how inspirational their husbands have been. I’ll add that my own has been my cheerleader, my first critiquer, and a reminder that who I write for first is God.
Secondly, here is a quote by L.M. Montgomery (writer of the Anne of Green Gable series) that I love:
“The book may or may not succeed. I wrote it for love, not money, but very often such books are the most successful, just as everything in the world that is born of true love has life in it, as nothing constructed for mercenary ends can ever have.”