Encouraging Words

I loved Rachel Gardner’s blog post so much that I decided to reprint it.  It first appeared here.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2010

 

Here’s to You

(Repost) 

Hey… you.

Yeah, you, the one sitting alone in your basement hammering out a thousand words every morning before you go to work.

And you. The one filling out your registration for a writers conference and terrified to click “send.”

And you in the back, there… frantically taking notes in the writing workshop, attempting to be invisible.

And what about you, about to sit down at your first-ever meeting with an agent, trembling with nervousness.

And you, the writer who’s signed your first publishing contract and suddenly feel the pressure of deadlines and marketing and expectations.

And you, the multi-published author, thankful for your good fortune and praying everyday the words continue to flow.

I just wanted you to know that I see you. I know you’re there. I hear what you’re saying, I feel your fears, I love your passion, I understand a lot about what drives you and what terrifies you.

And I admire you. I am so incredibly awed by your bravery. I know it takes courage to do what you’re doing. I’m impressed with your persistence, your enthusiasm, your dedication.

I know it takes sacrifice. I know you give up a lot… I know it’s a significant chunk of change to go to a conference; it’s a significant commitment of time to write books and build platforms (and read blogs).

I just want to thank you for what you’re doing. I’m so glad you get up every morning and do what you do. I’m so happy you’re up for the challenge. It’s because of you that I’ve been a reader my whole life. It’s because of you that I love books. It’s because of you that I’ve had the good fortune to work for the last fourteen years in a career I absolutely love.

You are incredible. Keep up the good work. Keep writing… so I can keep reading. And thank you.

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