A lot has happened over the last five-plus years since I wrote this agency blog post on Encouraging Writers.
While I don’t think I would change the substance of it for today, still, over the last several years, between Covid lockdowns, the growth of virtual work, and societal institutions seemingly dissolving, we probably have a different perspective on many things in life now.
From engaging in a casual conversation with a neighbor to gathering with friends and family, from working in person to worshipping together, we have been convinced that virtual gathering is a higher form of engagement because of its convenience, cost, and perceived “safety.”
A nice note (even an email) to a friend is always appreciated. A warm phone call is a highlight of the day for anyone. However, Christian authors need to gather together in person. As I mentioned in the above post from 2018, since writing is a solitary endeavor, it can be a lonely pursuit for many.
Endless hours of pondering, writing, and rewriting leave plenty of open doors for discouragement. But there is an antidote.
True encouragement requires presence, not only words.
Writers groups of all sizes (where two or more are gathered is a writers group) are the best way to encourage others and be encouraged. Writers conferences are excellent; but they will never replace the regular, organic gathering of colleagues and friends speaking truth and courage into the lives of others face-to-face.
Regardless of your situation, you must encourage those around you in any way you can. Encouragement of other believers should be the air Christians exhale regardless of stage or place in life.
For writers who have experienced a measure of success, you can speak about overcoming the bumps and stumps you’ve tripped over on your journey, encouraging others to keep going.
For those just getting started, don’t assume someone ahead of you on the writing road is having an easy journey without self-doubt. Your encouragement might get them through a tough time, just as others’ words have done for you at times.
And for sure, the byproduct of encouraging others is that you will be encouraged. As Christ-followers, encouragement is one of the many things that benefit the giver as much as the receiver. It’s part of God’s plan:
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV)
Encourage other writers with your presence, especially now.
Presidential Quotes on President’s Day
Please don’t do what I have done,
and lock your stories deep inside,
thinking that your race is run,
and that you are compelled to hide
the essence of the forming power
that made you what you are today;
free them from their looming tower,
be proud of your strength, come what may,
for somewhere in this land so broad,
a soul awaits your guiding hand,
and both of you, however flawed,
will in holy name together stand
in the wreckage of what you went through
to find that Christ is there with you.
Amen, Andrew!
Thanks, Pam!
I love this!! Encouragement is always in season. Especially love when you said, “True encouragement requires presence, not only words.”
I long to meet in-person with other writers! I had a group that would meet once a month before Covid and now, no one wants to do that anymore. And I was the one who drove an hour to get there!
I gotta find me other writers to meet with in-person. But in the meantime, I lead a group on Tuesday Nights on Zoom (we live scattered around the country) for Scribbling Women. We catch up a bit and then write for a couple of hours. We call it Silent Scribbling. We mute ourselves but keep our cameras on so we can see each other. And if anyone has a question or needs to read a paragraph for immediate feedback, we just unmute and do it. It works really well and is the highlight of the week for me! I get more writing done on Tuesday nights than I do all week unless I’m on deadline!
There really is something that stirs up creativity when authors/artists hang out together in person or even Zoom!
Conferences are great for in-person stuff, but I’d still like to find a once a month in-person local meeting again.
Thank you for your encouraging post, Dan!
Thank you, Dan, for the wonderful post, and thanks to Andrew for the usual thought-provoking poem.
Nothing beats in-person, nothing.
Thank you, Mr. Balow, I appreciate this reminder of how God made us to be. In this age where it is easier to NOT come together we must try all the harder to see that we do. A very thought-provoking post.
Mmm, yes. I probably ought to look for an in-person group near me in addition to my online community.
Thanks Dan for the encouragement!
It is difficult though to think that even very successful writers might still have doubts!
Lovely post.
Blessings.