As many of you know I was in Houston this past weekend to participate in a panel discussion. It was a fun weekend with a great discussion, but the weekend flew by!
There were a lot of writers in town for a festival so I met a lot of passionate writers who were either embarking on their writing journey or who’d been writing for quite some time.
On Sunday, I was sitting in the hotel lobby and had a little time to kill before my flight. I grabbed a seat in a cove and began reading one of the books I received from an author when a man walked up to me.
As he was walking towards me, the expression on his face didn’t read happy, so I wondered why he was coming towards me. I kind of glanced back down at my book when he said, “Are you a writer?”
I told him, “Yes, I am.”
He said, “You mind if I have a seat?”
I flipped the book closed and gave him my full attention and replied, “Sure. I have a little time to kill before my flight.”
We began to talk and he expressed that he’d recently completed writing his first book. I congratulated him and asked what his book was about and he told me it was about his life. He pulled out a galley copy and handed it to me. The book peaked my interest and we began to have an in depth conversation. Actually such an in depth conversation that it surprised me, because it wasn’t a conversation that I usually have with strangers.
At times during the conversation he directed me to chapters in the book. I would read silently as he watched. I was impressed with his life, his journey, his writing. Before I knew it, we’d been sitting there talking for over an hour.
During the course of the conversation, I inquired about what was bothering him when he first walked up and he explained that he’d just met another author and when he told her that he was writing a book, she grabbed the book, looked at it disinterested and handed it back. Her aloof response was a buzz kill. So much so, that even though he’d just arrived to the book festival, he turned and left.
Whenever I do book signings or events, there is at least one person who comes up to me and tells me that they in fact are a writer too. And I always try to take a few minutes to hear what their book is about. Obviously I’m not personally able to help every person I encounter, but I try to answer questions. I realize they see in me what they want for themselves and that is to accomplish the goal of completing a novel. Anyone who’s ever attempted to write a book, knows its a lot of hard work and not an easy task. So to see someone else who’s done it, lets you know that you can do it too! That’s the human side of it. Without all the extras!
Authors do you encourage other writers? Please share in the comment section below.
I have been helped by three other authors, all of them published and it's is so wonderful. They have all looked at at least ch 1 of my YA fantasy novel 'Lethal Inheritance' and given me varying amounts of feedback, all of it helpful. As far as I can see, the better the books out there, the better it is for all of us. If I read a good book, I want more, so why not help others to write well.
I'm on my journey to publication, but once anyone wants my help, I'd be happy to help share what I've learned.
If you want to have a look at ch 1 you can see it at http/:publishersearch.wordpress.com on the 'Lethal Inheritance' page. I've managed to get an agent to represent me, which especially in the Australian market is rare for a first time writer, so the possibility of getting published is looking good.
I like your blog.
Cheers Tahlia
Cheers
Tahlia
Thanks so much for sharing Tahlia! I will check out your blog. My apologies for taking so long to respond. My Internet has been sporadic. But thanks for your support!
I try my best. Any time I feel I can add to the discussion, I try to comment and give feedback on blogs and twitter posts. I always love to listen to the ideas of others. I know how important being noticed can be. Just having someone listen or say "Sounds great. Go for it!" helps me to keep on going.
That's very true! A random comment can really be encouraging!
With me I think it depends on whether it is a day where I am feeling more defensive as a writer and prone to jealousy or a day when I feel friendly and confident about how I am progressing.
FYI the most common assertion I have heard from more experienced professional authors is "Don't quit your day job." The trouble is, I don't have one of those – some other good day job, but I had tried to have one.
Thanks Miriam for your honesty. I never thought about it from that perspective.Sent from my iPhone