Support: The Core to Every Author’s Success (Lydia)

 

The writing journey is far from an easy one.  It’s fraught with countless perils such as writer’s block, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and despair.  Ask any author and they’ll probably tell you that they’ve questioned their writing journey at some point in their careers.  It’s a fact of life when you’re constantly faced with rejection letters, incomplete manuscripts, and harsh critiques that tear you to shreds.

And that is why author support is so important.

No man is an island, and this is especially true for writers.  We need one another to encourage each other, challenge each other when we need to grow, and build each other back up after reading a devastating rejection letter or online review.  B
ecause, when we build a community of support and compassion for one another, suddenly, our writing journeys don’t seem so daunting or impossible.

Through every high and low of an author’s journey, it’s not their successes that stand out the most as much as the people who were there beside them, supporting them, cheering them on.  Because while changes and hardships are a fact of life, when you have a community of support, suddenly, the uncertainties of the future seem a little less terrifying.

Change.  This is something I’m personally facing right now, as my own life has been going through some rapid changes over the past few months.  Changes that mean I’m going to have to step down from previous responsibilities and dreams I had once pursued.  For instance, I’m officially stepping down from my position as Editor with Monster Ivy Publishing and, as of today, this will be my last formal post with Lands Uncharted.

But, even as I have had to make these tough decisions, I find myself so grateful for you, my writing community, who have encouraged me and given me the courage to return to my childhood passion:  storytelling.  You have all been such a blessing in my life, especially all the lovely ladies here on Lands Uncharted, and I’m so grateful.

And, it’s the outpouring of support that I’ve experienced through the online writing community that has helped me immensely, both in terms of my mental and emotional health and in terms of my inspiration and drive to continue writing.  And I want to challenge you to pass that love and support forward to someone else who may need it today.

 

Some simple ways to show support:

Write a Review:  Even if their book wasn’t quite your cup of tea, write a review that encourages the author.  We’re all human, all flawed, all fallible.  Treat your review with all the respect and kindness possible, as if it were a letter to the author themselves.  It will definitely inspire them and make their day.

Follow and Like:  Find their online accounts and give them a like or a follow.  Interact with comments, likes, saves, shares, etc.  Little things like this can help an author to market their books and get connected with others in the reading and writing community.  And that alone can make a huge difference in helping their story reach their perfect target audience.

Make Library Requests: See if you can request copies of an author’s book at your local library.  And, if you’re unable to make a request, see if you can purchase and donate a copy. 

Share, Share, Share: The final and best thing you can do is to share and promote the author’s book yourself.  Word of mouth travels fast, both in person and online.  Whenever and wherever you can mention the book, do so, because this will in turn benefit the author in so many countless ways.

 

I want to close on one of my favorite scriptures: 

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. . .  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” -Romans 12: 9-10, 15-18 (ESV)

Today, I hope you have the chance to support and encourage another author.  Because every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a huge difference.  I hope you have an absolutely blessed day!