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.)
TWEETABLE
Andrea, such timely advice. These are wonderful suggestions.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martin. Blessings! :)
DeleteI am blessed with wonderful mentors who are writers, too. I thank God for these wonderful ladies. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Melissa. I'm sure others feel the same about you. Blessings! :)
DeleteAmazing, this is a great article! I did enjoyed reading it, keep your post .
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
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