In her book, Making a Literary Life, Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers, Carolyn See urges those in the pursuit of writing to write “Charming Notes” to novelists, editors, and any other artist whose work we've admired--at least five times a week. These notes serve to encourage someone that their work is good, and they can also serve as a bridge, an announcement that you’re also in their world.
In our interview with Liz Curtis Higgs her parting words were to urge readers to e-mail or send a letter to authors and communicate about their book.
So for this week’s poll, I’m curious where our readers fall in the scale.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Saturday Poll
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As a brother in the Lord, I have been encouraged by others, and I try to pass that on.
ReplyDeleteWriting is a solitary pursuit, often with little feedback. I think it's important to be loving, encouraging, honest, and Godly in our notes to each other. (Now if only I could live up to my own goals.)
The beauty of email is all I can say! Prior to email I never would have considered hand writing a letter to an author care of their publisher despite being moved by their story.
ReplyDeleteNow I love emailing an author to let them know how much I have been encouraged, challenged or entertained by their story. I can get so much blessing from a book over a couple of hours of my time. A few moments extra to encourage the author is nothing compared to the sweat, blood and tears (and months of their life!) they have, in most cases, put in to their story.
Here's a twist: years ago my entire family went to a writers' conference where we met one of our favorite authors. He was a delight. Several weeks after the conference he wrote US a letter--handwritten using his very special fountain pen :) saying what a privilege it was to meet us and how impressed he was with our daughter and her love for books and writing. His letter is one of my prized possessions just because of his thoughtfulness.
ReplyDeleteI want to tell writers what a good job they've done and how they've touched my life. I admit wanting the same feedback from those who've read and enjoyed my work. It's important to let them know what they've done is working.
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