E is for Encouragement

E is for Encouragement

I am going to pause in my epic Tony story telling task to talk about something else for a moment.

I want to talk to you about encouragement. I guess this technically is still about Tony Brown, because he is my largest source of encouragement in my life.

I’ve seen a lot of things lately about bullying and body shaming and other despicable acts that we humans seem to relish in inflicting on one another. It got me to thinking about something I see a lot of in the writing world, and that is a lack of encouragement. I don’t mean editorial criticism or bad reviews, no that’s all part of the process. I mean a lack of a personal support group. I have heard other writers talk about having no one in their life that believes in their dream of becoming an author. No one to talk to when the bad days outweigh the good.

And it’s not just writers either. I know loads of folks who have dreams or aspirations or desires that will never see the light of day. Not because that person lacks the talent or drive or even finances to pursue said dream. No, they will never go after their ideas because they aren’t encouraged to do so. They don’t have any form of a support network to speak of.  In fact, many of them are actively discouraged from following their dreams, either by jealous family members or friends or enemies that would rather see them wallow in self pity than the joy of success no matter how small. Some folks have no one in their life to say you can do it.

I write. You guys have figured that out by now. Right? Yes? I had the idea a few years back that I wanted to get into writing fiction, and that I might want to pursue a career and actually seek publication. It is a long, hard road. I knew it would be. I entered the field with the full realization that I would most likely never see more than a modest readership, and possibly never see formal publication. I understood this was a tough, uncaring business. I knew what I was getting into.

But I did it anyways because I had someone behind me that said, you can do it.

From the start, Tony had my back. He was honest in his criticism and gracious in his support. He didn’t smother me with help or try to do it for me or tell me how I was going about it all wrong. He stood by me every step of the way, held my hand when I stumbled, and then gave me a lift when I began to climb up and up and up.

I’ve had some modest success. I have fans, loyal readers and many, many friends brought to me from my hard work. I also have writer friends and family now. I have support in the form of financial reward and kind words from folks all over the world. But, I also still have Tony. He rarely shares my links, nor does he overly praise my books on social networks or post reviews of my work to boost my ratings. That isn’t his style. He is casual in his encouragement. He tells me constantly how proud he is of me. How jealous he is of what I have accomplished. He assures me that the acceptances will come and coddles me when the rejections sting and burn.

I am still climbing up and up and up, and as I do I feel that invisible tether back to him. Like a rope rig for a pair of rock climbers, should I fall, I know he is there to make sure I don’t plummet all the way back down. I am a lucky woman, and I know it.

I guess the reason I am practically gushing about how lucky I am to have someone so encouraging is because I want to remind you to encourage those around you. A few kind words go a long way when someone is trying to pursue their dreams. Sometimes all you need to hear is you can it. Sometimes all you want is someone to tell you it’s not stupid.

Encouragement costs nothing. It is a special gift that you give and give and give and even the smallest amount will multiply into something so beautiful--gratitude. Encouragement is highly contagious too. Encourage your friends and your family and they will encourage others. Those others will encourage even more folks and eventually someone will come back and encourage you when you least expect it.

I am encouraging you to encourage others.

It’s not stupid. You can do it.