Skip to main content

Have You "Hugged" Your Favorite Author Today?

Happy Friday All,

Congratulations goes to Nikki N. for winning the Kerrelyn Sparks giveaway yesterday! Kerrelyn will mail your copy of BE STILL MY VAMPIRE HEART, soon.


Today I want to talk about outside-the-business-support/encouragement for writers/authors.





A writer can have his or her critique group, but what about outside the business support? Some authors don't have a lot of people outside their critique/writing groups supporting/encouraging them. Some people have a misconception about what writing and publishing actually entails. Some people don't understand the emotions that surround a writer as he/she works on their craft.

Writing and publishing are real jobs. It's not always lucrative financially, but it's still a career. It take time, talent, energy, and dedication. There are writers who work 12-14 hours a day writing and editing to get their work in on time to editors, agents, and publishers.

There are writers who suffer health issues and family issues while they're working on that next novel for their readers. Some writers are parents with young children who have to balance family responsibilities with the demands of their craft.

But unlike most jobs, for many writers it's not just a job, it's a passion. It's love of the written word and love of imagination and creativity.

So, having the in-the-business support (i.e. writers' groups and critique groups) are very important, but also having the support of friends and family is also extremely important. That's why so many authors are so appreciative of their fans. It's the people who encourage them, build them up, and help them on those days when Writer's Block hits and they have to push through to get the story done.

If you have a favorite author, see if they have any contact information on their website. Send them a little note telling them how much you love their work. Even if they can't write you back because of their workload, they will appreciate so much you taking the time out to say "Thank you for putting out the novels I love so much." Tell them which novels are your favorite and why. Like I said, even if they don't have time to write you back, you will make their day.

Writing can be a very solitary experience sometimes. So, it's always good for writers to know they're not alone; which is one of the reasons why I'm always thanking my blog readers! Your comments and emails responding to questions, or just telling me what you like about the blog make my day!

So please, if you can, take the time to contact your favorite authors and tell them how much you enjoy their work.

Have A Fabulous Friday!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Not everyone has a talented writer as their best friend. So I am very lucky... also because this "bestie" is always introducing me to new authors most of whom I love... so yay!

BIG HUGS for my best friend!

~Sarah
Bethany said…
Sarah,

That's such a sweet message! Thank you for dropping by and for commenting :-)
Roni said…
I've always sent a short email letting them know how much I like their work, but for selfish reasons. I want them to keep it up. Anything I write I make sure is read by those that will tell me everything that's wrong with it, and those that will do nothing but pat me on the back.
Tonette Joyce said…
Oh, apparently, my comment didn't 'take' yesterday! I sent you a hug, Bethany, and passed it along to a few others...what a splendid idea!
Bethany said…
Roni,

That's nothing wrong with that! Authors are delighted when their readers want them to keep it up.

Sorry it took me so long to get your comment up. I didn't get online Friday night and I was busy most of Saturday.

Thank you for dropping by :-)
Bethany said…
Tonette,

I'm so sorry! Yes, your comment "took". It was in moderation in my Blogger acocunt. The thing is, I didn't get online Friday night and most of Saturday I was very busy.

Thank you so much for the hug! I've appreciated having you be one of my regular commenters. You're so encouraging and sweet!

Thank you for dropping by :-)

Popular posts from this blog

Get Thee A Nom De Plume!

Good Evening One & All, Shakespeare wrote in Romeo & Juliet, "What's in a name?...A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Disney talked about names in Aladdin in the lyrics, "Better get a nom de plume ." (the song, "One Jump"). So, for a writer, what does a nom de plume (or, pen name) say about the author? It could be a different spelling of the author's name, it could be a name that has a significance. They could keep their first name, but change the last, or change both. A pen name is also the name a writer will write under for his or her books. The name that his or her readers will recognize them. The name on the autographs and the one where people will say, "Oh yes, that's so and so, they wrote..." Some authors write under their own names. Others, for a variety of reasons, choose a pen name. What about you? Are you considering a pen name? What have you looked at when thinking of your nom de plume ? For myself, I&

Gregori Celebrates My Birthday

Happy Tuesday All, ****CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**** In honor of my birthday (that was on Oct. 15th) I am doing TWO give aways! The FIRST one is TODAY!  Today's give away is a copy of Kerrelyn Sparks' Sexiest Vampire Alive . Kerrelyn, being the awesome person that she is, has agreed to give a signed copy of the novel to ONE lucky commenter on my blog. Here's how it's going to work and please read all instructions CAREFULLY. ONE entry PER person : If you choose to email in your entry: Email to this email ONLY .  Your email should state who your favorite vampire is. And no, it does NOT have to be one of Kerrelyn Sparks' characters, but that would be really cool if you DID mention one of hers. If you choose to enter by commenting on my blog: Leave your FIRST name, email address, and what vampire is your favorite. It can be ANY vampire--but like I said, it would be really cool if you mention a Kerrelyn Sparks' vampire. You don't know Kerrelyn Spa

Fangs and Mistletoe

Happy Wednesday All, Congratulations to Sarah K. who won the Tess St. John giveaway. Please confirm receipt of the email I sent you to claim your prize! ****KERRELYN SPARKS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED . Thank you to all who particpated. A special thank you to Kerrelyn Sparks for providing the prize.**** Merrily the December Days Blog Giveaway keeps going! ***THIS GIVEAWAY IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED. It was closed on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:30 p.m. Central Time per the giveaway details. I am no longer accepting entries to this giveaway*** If you haven't had the fun of reading a Kerrelyn Sparks paranormal romance, then you're in for a treat. Kerrelyn is offering to one lucky winner a signed copy of her fun and fangtastic novel, All I Want For Christmas Is A Vampire: Toni's friend is in the hospital going on about vampires. Toni will prove her right. But can she resist Ian's charm, in spite of his fangs? As always, the book is full of Kerrelyn's wit, ro