"We want our successors to achieve more than we have, sell more books, touch more lives, and enable other writers to do the same."
Writers create fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to inspire, instruct, entertain, and encourage readers—sometimes all four at once. While we strive to learn the techniques and keep informed about the publishing industry, there is another critical factor to be aware of: the art of paying it forward.
What does that mean for today’s writer? Along the way, someone has helped us learn the craft and provided careful instruction on how to be successful in our writing careers. The giver never expects anything in return because the act of kindness was from the heart, a passion to help someone move closer to their goals. So instead of writing out a check or lavishing the person with gifts to express our thanks, we do the same for another writer. We pay it forward.
Why would a writer contemplate giving back to another serious writer who needs assistance? The answer lies in the knowledge that training up the next generation of writers begins now. We want our successors to achieve more than we have, sell more books, touch more lives, and enable other writers to do the same. That’s a pay it forward attitude for all walks of life, but especially for writers who understand history is remembered through literature.
Have you considered mentoring a new writer? How about suggesting writing workshops and quality conferences to strengthen a new writer’s skills? Do you understand the art of encouragement while instructing? If so, then maybe now is the time to pay it forward.
Here are five guidelines for paying it forward:
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To pay it forward, a writer must have a passion for the next generation of writers and a desire for them to acquire excellent skills and work habits.
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To pay it forward, a writer understands a new writer needs outside help to create quality manuscripts.
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To pay it forward, a writer mentors through teaching, encouraging, and challenging the new writer.
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To pay it forward, a writer demonstrates the power of relationships, integrity, and authenticity.
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To pay it forward, a writer instills the need for new writers to help the generation that will follow after them.
Paying it forward requires a commitment of time and heart. We have different personalities and life experiences that affect who and where we are today. Not all mentor/mentee relationships are optimal, and you may not be in a position to effectively pay it forward right now. If a relationship isn’t working, feel free to graciously end the arrangement.
Conduct an honest evaluation of your writing career. Take stock of your enthusiasm for sharing your knowledge and skills with other writers. Are you prepared to pay it forward?
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
