TRIBUTES
All writers who have even small successes do not accomplish this alone. Somewhere on the path to success, we had mentors, encouragers or enablers. Those people gave us the push, the courage, the daring to pursue our dream of writing.
My parents thought it was a passing fad that I wrote short stories beginning at the age of ten. They knew I shared them with classmates; but I never allowed them to read my efforts. A few years later, they were impressed that I could rhyme words for poems to commemorate family birthdays, holidays and other special occassions. When I left home and decided to burn my efforts, it was mama who asked to keep the poetry. When she died, I found some of those early efforts in a box of her "treasures." Thank you, Mama, for never telling me I couldn't succeed.
In high school I found a champion in Miss Gertrude Bougeois, teacher of Literature and English. She thought my short stories were very inventive, romantic or humorous, depending on the theme. Miss Gertrude was excellent at critiquing in a constructive way and encouraged me in all genres of writing. It was in her class that I won my first awards--one for a short story in a contest offered by the local Women's Garden Club and the second, both a Parish (this was in Louisiana) and State American Legion Award for an essay, "What America Means to Me." Her words stayed with me all of my life, "Barbara, you ARE a writer." Bless you, dear teacher.
My husband has encouraged me for thirty years to follow my dream. He is my best editor, whether he likes the subject matter or not. He gave me my first subscription to "Writer's Digest Magazine" when selling anything was just a dream. Today, Ray celebrates my successes with me, soothes me when rejected, applauds my own mentoring, and gives me a push now and then to stretch myself. Thanks, sweetie.
There are online friends who have encouraged me. Carol Roach, editor/publisher of "Storybook Tapestry," gave me one of my first "gigs" online, writing for her publication and reading the wonderful authors she showcases there. She published me so many times, I have stepped into the shadows to allow her to share that guiding touch to new writers. I offer her my heartfelt thanks.
There are other online friends who have supported me as I attempt to write from the heart all the stories stored away there--Patricia Spork, artist/writer/photographer/special friend; Diana Ice for her great critiques, sharing of her wonderful books and her true friendship; KC Heath for being friend enough to tell me when my writing isn't my best and to cheer me on when it is (and for hooking me on her fantasy book) and to Linda Sekishiro, the best of friends who has edited my books until I am sure she is sick of reading them (but never says so)and has always stood beside me on this path I have chosen. Thank all of you, dear friends.
Hope Clark and Angela Hoy offer all writers not only wonderful advice, tip and markets we can truly sell to, but a glimpse into their lives--to show us that their personal lives are much like ours. They have wonderful sites/newsletters online: www.fundsforwriters (Hope) and www.writersweekly.com (Angela). Thanks you two for all the knowledge you share with everyone.
I will always be grateful to Regina Williams, editor of "The Storyteller Magazine." She has accepted work from me for years and I am proud to be a columnist for the magazine now. She is an excellent example of what an editor should be like: supportive, encouraging, selective in her choices of subject matter to print, helpful with her suggestions for constructive change, and open to so many beginning writers. And, she also has the most beautiful grandchildren on earth. (Next to mine, of course, Gina-lol). Thanks, friend/editor, for being there.
Today, I am a writer, lecturer, teacher and cheerleader for creative writing. I try to pass on the writing tips I have learned over the years. I am still trying to write that bestselling novel and will never be completely satisfied with what I write, accepted or not. But there is no way I can stop writing; it has been burned into my soul by all of the people who have helped me along the way.
Thanks to all of you, I find myself mentoring to others, sharing all that you have given me.
Tributes. Accolades. Applause. I'm sending them all to you.
*******
Encourage a beginning writer today. Share what you have learned about the craft of writing. I believe that is a sign of true success.
My parents thought it was a passing fad that I wrote short stories beginning at the age of ten. They knew I shared them with classmates; but I never allowed them to read my efforts. A few years later, they were impressed that I could rhyme words for poems to commemorate family birthdays, holidays and other special occassions. When I left home and decided to burn my efforts, it was mama who asked to keep the poetry. When she died, I found some of those early efforts in a box of her "treasures." Thank you, Mama, for never telling me I couldn't succeed.
In high school I found a champion in Miss Gertrude Bougeois, teacher of Literature and English. She thought my short stories were very inventive, romantic or humorous, depending on the theme. Miss Gertrude was excellent at critiquing in a constructive way and encouraged me in all genres of writing. It was in her class that I won my first awards--one for a short story in a contest offered by the local Women's Garden Club and the second, both a Parish (this was in Louisiana) and State American Legion Award for an essay, "What America Means to Me." Her words stayed with me all of my life, "Barbara, you ARE a writer." Bless you, dear teacher.
My husband has encouraged me for thirty years to follow my dream. He is my best editor, whether he likes the subject matter or not. He gave me my first subscription to "Writer's Digest Magazine" when selling anything was just a dream. Today, Ray celebrates my successes with me, soothes me when rejected, applauds my own mentoring, and gives me a push now and then to stretch myself. Thanks, sweetie.
There are online friends who have encouraged me. Carol Roach, editor/publisher of "Storybook Tapestry," gave me one of my first "gigs" online, writing for her publication and reading the wonderful authors she showcases there. She published me so many times, I have stepped into the shadows to allow her to share that guiding touch to new writers. I offer her my heartfelt thanks.
There are other online friends who have supported me as I attempt to write from the heart all the stories stored away there--Patricia Spork, artist/writer/photographer/special friend; Diana Ice for her great critiques, sharing of her wonderful books and her true friendship; KC Heath for being friend enough to tell me when my writing isn't my best and to cheer me on when it is (and for hooking me on her fantasy book) and to Linda Sekishiro, the best of friends who has edited my books until I am sure she is sick of reading them (but never says so)and has always stood beside me on this path I have chosen. Thank all of you, dear friends.
Hope Clark and Angela Hoy offer all writers not only wonderful advice, tip and markets we can truly sell to, but a glimpse into their lives--to show us that their personal lives are much like ours. They have wonderful sites/newsletters online: www.fundsforwriters (Hope) and www.writersweekly.com (Angela). Thanks you two for all the knowledge you share with everyone.
I will always be grateful to Regina Williams, editor of "The Storyteller Magazine." She has accepted work from me for years and I am proud to be a columnist for the magazine now. She is an excellent example of what an editor should be like: supportive, encouraging, selective in her choices of subject matter to print, helpful with her suggestions for constructive change, and open to so many beginning writers. And, she also has the most beautiful grandchildren on earth. (Next to mine, of course, Gina-lol). Thanks, friend/editor, for being there.
Today, I am a writer, lecturer, teacher and cheerleader for creative writing. I try to pass on the writing tips I have learned over the years. I am still trying to write that bestselling novel and will never be completely satisfied with what I write, accepted or not. But there is no way I can stop writing; it has been burned into my soul by all of the people who have helped me along the way.
Thanks to all of you, I find myself mentoring to others, sharing all that you have given me.
Tributes. Accolades. Applause. I'm sending them all to you.
*******
Encourage a beginning writer today. Share what you have learned about the craft of writing. I believe that is a sign of true success.
posted by Barb | 9:04 PM
2 Comments:
Thank YOU, Barb! Your critiques have helped me so much, and I'm so very pleased that you enjoy reading my books. I treasure your friendship and encouragement.
Unlike you, my family actively discouraged me from writing, and my teachers' comments on my writing efforts were always negative. Perhaps they just didn't like fantasy, which was always my first love. "Why don't you write something important?" was a common question. But like you there was no way I could stop writing. My characters nagged at me when I tried to quit, and they still do when I leave them alone too long. So I value even more the encouragement of special friends like you.
Having a loyal friend to cheerlead as you struggle is a great gift. I try and 'pay it forward'with the younger writers in my groups. I still remember the teachers who encouraged me to keep going.
Maybe we need a "Mentor" day where we take the time to thank those who made a difference.
Nice post, Barb!
Connie
Post a Comment
<< Home