3 Ways to Encourage a Writer

by Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT

Ernest Hemingway once said, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." In other words, you uncover and share those emotionally tender spots with strangers. 

To impact readers and be effective, writers must be emotionally vulnerable. This vulnerability requires a bucket of courage and a sprinkle of craziness. That's why writers need kindhearted understanding and frequent loving encouragement to continue along their lonely path. 

While some of us are naturally gifted encouragers, others need guidance. 

3 to Encourage the Writers Around You

1. Train your eyes and ears to find positive aspects in their writing. While it's easy to take out that imaginary red pen and find everything you dislike, don't. Find what you love about it and tell the author. Writers often bleed onto the page many times before arriving at the final product. Please don't cut them even more with your hurtful comments.

2. Speak in love. When we appreciate their word-weaving gift, it becomes easier to lift their spirits. On the other hand, if we are jealous of their talent, our thoughts and words can become harmful. Writers evolve and improve with continued practice. First drafts are merely early editions of the final work. Be the friend who cheers the progress, not the one who smothers their creative fire.

3. Follow the Golden Rule. You can never go wrong treating others with the kindness you expect. Everyone loves to be loved and encouraged, so share uplifting words with your writer friends regardless of whether you receive them yourself. Positive praise acts as a healing balm to the soul. 

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) tells us to “. . . encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sins’s deceitfulness.” We sin when we fail to look for the good, forget to speak in love, or mistreat others. Jealousy, self-pity, and even misplaced anger are versions of pride. And pride blocks us from focusing on the needs of others.

Sitting down and pouring your heart onto a blank page is difficult for a writer. Questions swirl, such as, “Who will read it? or What difference will it make?” It means the world when a reader takes the time to appreciate the effort and share how much those words, written in silence to an audience of one, meant to them. 

Therefore, as long as it is called Today, let us encourage the writers in our lives. 

What are some ways others have encouraged you?

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Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT is a pediatric physical therapist, early intervention specialist, and award-winning author. Her writing encourages and teaches moms simple and effective ways to help their baby meet developmental milestones. In addition to writing, she enjoys hiking, reading, and camping with her husband. Find out more at ginnycruz.com, Instagram, or Facebook.