It’s hard to believe how many years it’s been since we
started the LDS Writers Blogck. None of us knew much about the writing world
back then, and so many of us have gone on to publish and mentor other writers
in this awesome craft. For me, it’s been an amazing journey, filled with a lot
of ups, and some serious downs, but overall, I wouldn’t trade the experience
for anything.
My journey has taken me from a wannabe, know nothing writer,
to an attendee of, first, LTUE, and then the LDStorymakers Conference. It was
there I met my fellow Blogckers and the authors who would drag me into success.
I began to enter the first chapter contest, taking first and second in Fantasy
in 2007, first place in fantasy in 2008, and the grand prize in 2009. I was
also offered a contract at that conference and my first book, The Sapphire
Flute, was published the following year. But none of that would have happened
without people like LDStorymaker members, Julie Wright, James Dashner, Jeff (J.
Scott) Savage, Josi Kilpack, Candace Salima, and Tristi Pinkston.
In addition, so many members of Authors Incognito read and
gave me feedback: Nichole Giles, Darvell Hunt, Rebecca
Shelley, Danyelle Ferguson, Connie Hall, Ali Cross, Christine Bryant, Elizabeth
Mueller, Kimberly Job, and Keith Fisher. I know there are a ton more people out
there, and if I’ve forgotten your names, I apologize. You’re in my heart.
The point I’m trying to make here, is not to name drop
(though that’s always kind of fun.) No, it’s about how important it is for us
to stick together, support one another, lift each other, and always be looking
for another way to pay it forward. One published author took my early
manuscript, when I was sure I was going to die an “almost,” and showed me what I was doing wrong as well as what I was
doing right. She taught me how to look at things differently so that I could
write differently, and it was that next year I got my first contract. Another
published author roomed with me at LTUE every year and was constantly kicking
my butt and encouraging me, telling me how great I was, how much she believed
in me, and reassured me that she was my friend just because she liked me, not
because she felt sorry for me.
I have really tried to do the same thing, despite some
serious family and health challenges. When I reach out to others and encourage
writers who feel like they are in that “almost”
stage, I feel better about my life, and love knowing it helps them. It’s also
extremely rewarding to see them finally get published (YES, Shari Bird, I am
talking to YOU!)
So, despite it being March, why don’t we make a New Year’s,
better yet, a SPRING (a time of new beginnings) resolution to pull our fellow
authors up and along? We all need it,
published (indie or traditional or both) or unpublished. It doesn’t matter. We
are all WRITERS. All it takes to gain that title is to WRITE,
and I for one, intend to give back as much as I can. I even started a
“business,” of doing just that. It’s called Tin
Bird Publications and Author Services. Tin Bird is named for my sons, the
publications part is for my indie works, but the Author Services is there to
help others, whether they can afford it or not. If you need some help, even if
you can’t afford it, know you can always reach out and ask, because, like I
said, it’s all about paying it forward.
Give it a try. The best payment in the world is seeing the
success and happiness it brings to others like yourself. No matter what level
you’re at, there’s always someone who can benefit from what you know.
Come on. Do it. I dare you. :)
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