Words from a Reader

The “Writing Life Stories” e-mails I receive are such treasures. As soon as I see there is one in my inbox, I read it immediately. I look forward to them and never know how they will touch me. They can be interesting, informative, humorous, and/or touching.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Do You Support Other Writers and Friends?

JC Walkup, writer, editor and publisher
On www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com site, JC Walkup wrote a post about why writers should join our chapter of NCWN. I like what she said about us. She said we are not in competition with each other, we support each other and always help our writing friends when they need it.

It sounds too good to be true, but she is right.
I don't know if I could have published as much of my work if I had not had writers like Estelle Rice, Michelle Keller, Janice Moore, Carol Crawford, and Nancy Simpson who read my stories and poems and gave me honest and helpful suggestions to how I could make my work better. We do this for each other.

Get Feedback
I can share my work with other writers in NCWN West and get good feedback, not mean-spirited criticism, or jealousy. I think we all truly want the best for each other. Nothing pleases me more than to see the success of my friends and my students.

Wouldn't it be great if more people, instead of trying to step on someone to get ahead, tried lifting someone instead?

I have found that when I lift someone up, I rise with them. 
I have never gained anything good by putting down others. 
When I try to improve myself, when I compete with my own results, I come closer to achieving my goals.

Be an Example

If I had a child, I would tell him, "Try to be the best person you  can be, and treat your fellow man as you would want him to treat you. Then you can live and enjoy a good life." 

And the child would likely say, "Please, don't preach to me!"

Because, you can't tell people anything and expect them to listen. Just as we say in writing class, show, don't tell.
Let you life be a lesson.  





2 comments:

  1. I try to support others. Others' viewpoints and creative perspective fuel my own Whenever I read a good book about the craft of writing, it spurs me on! I love going to Writers' Night Out to hear and see and shake hands or hugs with other writers. When I was a swimmer, our relay team was tight. We got faster with others to race and cheer. We learned that we were only as good as our competition. I truly want to see people succeed, in whatever they do. I'm not saying I haven't struggled with jealousy, but that is what prayer is for. I wish the best for those who try.

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  2. Thank you, Susan, for stopping by and leaving a comment.
    When I first joined NCWN West and began going to critique groups, I found such a loving and supportive group of people that I grew to trust them and felt they trusted me.
    Through that trust and support, I have the best friends I've ever had in my life.
    Perhaps I was just lucky, but joining this group changed my life back in 1996.

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I really appreciate your comments, and I love reading what you say.