Welcome back and Happy Thursday to you all.
Today we are going to talk about sharing as writers, but first a quote.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“There’s a great joy in my giving. It’s thrilling. It’s exhilarating. It’s important to be a part of sharing. It is my love. It is my joy.”
W. Clement Stone
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
So here’s the thing: today I’m not going to give you prompts or sites to visit or any of the stuff you normally associate with this blog. I’m just going to give you my thoughts on this giving thing.
I have been active for over two years now in this professional writing gig, and I’ve been quite active online on Facebook and on HubPages. I try to help other writers because writing is a tough job on the best of days. On the worst of days it is demoralizing and lonely and frustrating and on and on….so I try to give to other writers. I try to share ideas and make suggestions, and I try to answer questions and support in whatever way I can. I get nothing for those efforts other than the warm fuzzies I always get when I do something for someone.
And my question to you is this: why don’t more writers do the same? I do not consider myself a saint for helping others; it just makes sense to me to do so. I help you…you help me….we all help each other. When we share ideas we are expanding our knowledge and expanding our network, and everyone wins when that happens.
Do people not share because they consider other writers to be competition? Do they not share because they consider themselves “too busy” or do they not share because they just can’t be bothered?
I want to know what works for you. Maybe it will work for me too. I want you to know what works for me; maybe it will work for you as well. There are seven billion people on this planet; I can afford to share some of those readers with you. LOL
You would not believe the number of people I have helped who cannot find the time to even read my works let alone share them or make a comment….are they too busy? Or do they simply not care?
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Obviously I’m preaching to the choir, because every person that reads this is a giver. I know who each of you are and you are always good about supporting other writers and supporting me and I am so very grateful to you…..but I wish I could get this message to those who live in their little writing world and do nothing to help other writers.
We need each other. I know some writers who do not even receive support from their families. How sad that must be. We writers are a select group, and only another writer will fully understand what we go through on a daily basis…sooooo
How about making a special effort to help some writers today? I know you will but I thought I’d ask anyway…..and….
How about kicking a few writers in the butt if they never help other writers? J
Have a great day and thanks for listening to my rant.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
We totally do need each other and I never understand why other writers are willing to lend a helping hand when someone else does need it in our field. Like you said, you are totally preaching the choir with me on this and I know you are so much a giver (for that I am just so thankful). Seriously Bill, I know I have also said this before, but thank you for just being you!! Have a wonderful Thursday now 🙂
Janine, I just don’t understand how people can be so selfish at times…why belong to a community if you don’t want to be part of the community? 🙂 Thank you my dear friend…you are a gem.
Bill, that quote fits you perfectly. And yes, writers need to support one another. If anyone can learn about supporting others, they should take some notes from you 🙂
Have a lovely day, Bill.
Marissa, I’m just giving back to my friends…I assume everyone will do that, but sometimes I am proven wrong. 🙂 Thank you Tiny Pilgrim…love that name.
yup, we gotta share the pen so that the best can be penned down, and the proverb “pen mightier than the sword” hold true.
Unity helps!
Well said, Bill
It helps greatly, Ruchira, and I know that you know this. Thank you my friend.
Hey Bill…I know what you mean – we do all need to support each other. I try to choose what’s most relevant to share bc I’ve been accused of over sharing a few times and I get that too…so I just try to span it out:) lol
Kelly, I get it…it is possible to overdo it…but I’d rather be accused of over-doing it rather than not doing anything. 🙂
Reblogged this on realhousewifesl.
Thank you Kelly! You are a doll!
A couple of years ago I met this wonderful couple who showed me that as creative people, we do not have to feel competitive. When we create something from our heart, we have created something new and special. People that like our style are apt to enjoy someone else who has a similar style. I write from the heart so whatever I write is not a chore, but a work of love.
With all that in mind, I am not afraid to show others techniques, show praise or even windows into my own soul because I know that other person cannot take from me when I have something to give. I know that if I give, I have gained far more than I have given.
Creativity is a form of love, and love can never truly be depleted. For it to have any intrinsic value, it must be shared otherwise it becomes work and then it disappears.
Cygnet, that was perfectly and beautifully stated. Thank you for that and obviously I agree completely.
You are a kindg and gentle ranter.
I have my rough edges, Randee, but thank you! 🙂
Bill, I try to pass on knowledge as I receive it. And boy oh boy, have I been gaining a lot of knowledge lately! I have a blog site I want to send to you. If you follow me on Twitter or FB, you’ve probably already gotten the link. As you know, the girls of the Perspectives team have bowed out in order to build our own websites and gain a presence in the market. My concentration and goal is a little different from theirs because I’m also a freelance writer in addition to embarking upon the blogging world. I depend on writing to pay the bills. Whenever I find a site that offers a ton of information, and freebies to boot, I pass it on to the ‘girls’. I’ve also added a Resources page to my website where I’ve listed helpful writers sites and blogs I frequently visit. Naturally, your sites are included. You have been such a huge help to me. You pay it forward and anyone with half a heart will do the same.
I love you lots, Bill!
Sha
Awww, I love you lots too, Sha! I simply don’t understand people who do not pay it forward. If I were vindictive I would have named names, but in the end they have to live with who they are. 🙂
You’re right about the lonely part. Now that I’m teaching, I’m getting rid of the lonliness part. I haven’t left blogging AT ALL – just taking a sort of long break while I finish that dang masters that I started years ago. lol
But, when I get back into it again (while still teaching), I definitely am going to change some things up so I don’t end up scraping the bottom of the barrel AND I can still enjoy life.
Giving. Yes! It keeps me going to give. And if I can’t give monetarily, I love giving in the form of artwork/knitting/time/baked goods.
Have a WONDERFUL day!
Cyndi, I’ve been doing this for almost three years now, and there are days I want to climb the walls and just speak to another human being. LOL Lonely for sure. Good luck on that Masters my friend, and thanks for stopping by.
Amen to that Bill. I wish we all could help each other more, but I also understand with some, it is difficult keeping up with everyone.
As a writer, I am trying to also do my part and show some tricks with my blog, but it also seems the only readers are the faithful and true, like you. Thanks Bill and have a great evening.
The same to you, Greg, and thank you always. Blessings to you and Maria.
Billybuc: from Sparklea: I know so well what you mean. LOVE the “Writers Helping Writers” at the top of this page…I actually created, advertised and taught a non-credit course a few years ago at our community college titled “Writers Helping Writers.” I printed out your hub of 4 days ago and have been studying, underlining, re-reading it over my morning coffee. I WILL comment on it also.
You want to know what works for me? The greatest secret I have learned with my writing over the years is one very important thing: I HAVE TO LOVE WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN AND ALWAYS FOLLOW MY INTUITION BEFORE SUBMITTING IT. This is not being pompous…it is something I believe a writer can develop, the more he/she writes. If I don’t like what I have written, or have any doubt…I have to tweak it over and over again until I am satisfied.
EXAMPLE: Years ago I sent out a manuscript to a magazine, and there was one paragraph that I was uneasy about. I STILL sent it. They sent it back and said they did not like that paragraph! This magazine finally stopped publishing, but before they did they had printed 18 of my submissions. Every single one I sent out, I said to my husband, “I just submitted another manuscript and it is awesome.” Those are the ones that got accepted.
I fully believe that we, as writers can develop that ‘feeling in our gut’ with whatever we write.
Just a thought. I am loving your blogs and, as time permits, I hope to visit them more often.
I consider you to be one of the greatest blessings in my life in the area of writing. You are a God Send. Blessings, Sparklea 🙂
Lea, God how I wish all writers followed your example…..love what you have written. I wonder how many writers of online articles can say that? I would venture to guess the percentage is very low because the online world is all about getting quantity out there rather than quality. What a beautiful comment, Lea. Thank you so much. I think I might have to write a hub about this subject. 🙂
blessings always
bill
Billy Buc I sure hope you write a hub about that.
To love what you have written, I believe, is the Spirit within the writer confirming what has been written needs to be shared with the world.
I know that for myself, I often fall into the trap of stewing over whether the reader will ‘like’ what I have written…or worry I will offend a person. But I’ve learned that is not what writing is about. You are a great example; you speak your mind and heart, and it shows. I consider you to be one of the greatest teachers in the art of writing.
The key is to write from the gut, write from the heart, NEVER to impress. The message I often receive in my Spirit is, “you are here to learn, now teach others (through your writing and speaking)
Two autumns ago I was asked to give a speech at a Senior Citizen center about purpose in life. I worked on that speech for days, hours. Two hours before I was to leave the house I changed the whole thing…then it clicked 100 percent. The feedback was excellent, but, as a writer, I know that I know I have to pour everything into something until I KNOW that it is ‘ready.’ With all the work and sweat, it is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to finally have it come together. God bless, Sparklea 🙂
Lea, you followed up on a wonderful comment with an even better one. I firmly believe in what you are saying. At the end of the day I am the one who has to be satisfied with my writing. I cannot tailor my writing to please others or I have lost the magic. Yes, there may be some who do not approve of what I write, but again, at the end of the day, I have to be able to look in the mirror and smile. 🙂
thank you dear friend
bill
Love your rant Bill… and the idea of helping others. Sigh. If only more people did. And not just in the writing world. So many of my friends are in their own little bubble – it frustrates the daylights out of me! They just don’t get it. Yes… live in the present moment, but damnit – see the light at the end of the tunnel. What are you going to leave behind one day? Hours and hours of slaving away at work and saying yes to every social event you don’t want to go to so you don’t come across as “rude”? No thanks. A bit off topic there – sorry! But I get what you mean about the writing. Honestly, I do think most people are either too busy or a little competitive. It’s a tough world out there writing, but I think you set yourself apart by the way you act and share, so keep doing what you’re doing and you might just inspire more people to do the same! You’ve done it for me (though I’m sucking a lot in the sharing department of late – but that’s because I’m not at home full time anymore), and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever learnt, which I’ve applied to other areas of my life.
Mel, every single time you stop by and read my stuff I am greatly appreciative. That is giving my friend, and it means a lot to me. I hear you about your friends; we had a very simple weekend, one that could be considered boring by some, but we are happy and that’s all that counts.
Thank you my friend and have a wonderful week.
Came back over and wanted to say a little sumthin about giving: I have learned another valuable lesson in life: the more you give, the more you get. It’s pretty amazing how that works and you have given much to us, my friend. I hope the rewards are really starting to come your way. 🙂
Aww, lil’ Sis, I’ve gotten as much as I’ve given, but thank you. The rewards from the writing will come in time…first a trickle and then a deluge. 🙂 Thanks Cyndi!
Oh Bill,
I find the same issues in the nursing and teaching fields. There are gracious and generous givers, sharing all they know. There are expectant and entitled takers, simply astonished when they do not ‘get their due’.
I hope you feel better with your expression. In my heart, I know you will never change. This is why I adore you and so many other really wonderful people do as well. You are the real deal, my man. Love you very much, Maria
Maria, I just go through stages where I don’t understand people at all. How does one go through life just taking? I don’t get it but then it’s not necessary that I do. Life goes on without my permission. LOL Thank you for your kind words. I try to live my words.