Pay It Forward


By Andrea Merrell

It’s not what you do but who you know.

We hear that a lot, especially in the writing world. Sometimes this can be true but not always. Besides the knowing, there is also some doing.

One way to prosper and be successful in your writing career is to pay it forward. You can do this in numerous ways:

  • Help a new writer learn the basics.
  • Encourage and pray for others in the industry.
  • Retweet others’ tweets.
  • Like, share, and comment on Facebook posts.
  • Write Amazon reviews for books you’ve read. Best gift ever!
  • Invite others to write a guest post for your blog.
  • Attend local book signings.
  • Share your expertise (editing, critiquing, graphic design, making memes, marketing, and social media).
  • Invest in a new writer or someone who doesn’t have the funds by helping them attend a writers’ conference or local workshop.

Some may think this is counterintuitive—I don’t have time. It’s not my responsibility. It’s inconvenient. I need to concentrate on my own needs. Someone else will help them. This is what psychologists call “compassionate disengagement.” It is comprised of all the excuses we come up with not to help someone else.

As children of God who are called to write for Him, we should always operate by the law of sowing and reaping. It is both a natural law and a spiritual law. When we give of ourselves by sharing our expertise and tithing our time, along with our resources, we plant seeds that will produce a harvest in our own lives.

Over the years, I’ve had numerous people sow into my life, especially in my writing and editing career. These were people who were eager to see others move forward and willing to do whatever they could to make it happen. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35 NIV).

If others have helped you along the way, be thankful. Then make a decision to help others in whatever way you can. Pay it forward. You'll be glad you did.

Can you think of other ways we can sow into someone else? How have people helped you? How have you helped others? We would love to hear your suggestions.

(Photos courtesy of Blogpiks.com and Stuart Miles.)


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Comments

  1. Andrea, such timely advice. These are wonderful suggestions.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am blessed with wonderful mentors who are writers, too. I thank God for these wonderful ladies. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great, Melissa. I'm sure others feel the same about you. Blessings! :)

      Delete
  3. Amazing, this is a great article! I did enjoyed reading it, keep your post .

    ReplyDelete

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