Yesterday I received a message from a writing friend, telling me she’d read one of my publications. She didn’t just read it—that would’ve been encouragement enough—she enjoyed it, and she told me in detail what she loved about it.
My little writerly heart nearly burst while reading that.
Similarly, at a writing conference last year, I bought a friend’s debut novel. It didn’t seem like a big deal to me; it was the least I could do to show my support for her. But when she saw the book in my hands, her face lit up.
It just goes to show that, no matter how much disappointment and frustration we’re dealing with, it really doesn’t take much to lift our spirits. A few kind words, a thoughtful gesture. A moment of another person’s time can be enough to buoy us through the query trenches or a rejection rut.
If you’re a writer, you know the struggle is real. Put yourself in your fellow writers’ shoes, and reach out to them. Email them out of the blue to ask how their writing is going. Join their newsletter or like their Facebook page. Reply to their tweet about their recent publication—or better yet, go read it, and tell them what you thought.
We’re all on the same journey, but we’re often too shy to voice our support for one another. Don’t worry about coming across as clingy—just imagine how over-the-moon you would feel if someone else showed you the same kindness.
This Valentine’s Day, show your fellow writers some love. I guarantee you’ll brighten their day, and earn their friendship and support in return.
And don’t forget to show yourself some love, too. Take time out for self-care. Take time out to write, to further your career, to chase your dreams. Spend some quality time with your current draft; shower your work-in-progress with attention. Then make sure you keep doing it the rest of the year, not just on February 14th.
Happy Valentine’s Day! 