4 Ways to Support Your Writing Friends

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel
As this year draws to a close, I find myself so incredibly grateful for how my fellow writers have come alongside me during tumultuous times – to comfort, encourage, and challenge. 
I hope you are part of a community of fellow writers – people who quite literally know what your life is like. No matter where each of us is on this writing journey, we have something to offer, and we are also in dire need of what others have to give us as well.
Here are 4 Ways I Support My Writing Friends:
1. PRAYPrayer is first because prayer is perhaps our most important gift. While we do not know all the specific details of any one person’s prayer needs, we can always lift them up for wisdom, guidance, open doors, creativity, writing flow, and discernment. If you know of someone shopping a proposal, meeting a deadline, launching a book, or struggling with writer’s block, be sure and intercede on their behalf. 
2. PROVIDEAsk how you can help in their lives. Be part of a brainstorming or storyboarding session with them; offer your vacation home for a writing retreat; look over their book proposal and give feedback; recommend a colleague who might open doors for them; forward articles you have read on their topic or help with research. Drop off a care package of coffee and treats for those deadline days. Be Jesus “with skin on.
3. PROMOTEHow easy is it to “share” a post by a fellow writer of their weekly blog, guest podcast, or exciting announcement of an upcoming book? Join their launch team and do all the things. Every week I promote another author on #FriendshipFriday and give a shout out on all my socials about their new book. The most important way to encourage a friend with a newly released book is to post online reviews – those are gold.
4. PURCHASEMany writers receive arcs (advanced review copies) or influencer books which provide a great way to review and share the work of our friends. But going one step further – actually purchasing copies of her book and gifting them – is the highest praise of all. Pre-orders are also especially important in the publishing industry because they boost the first day sales of a new book. If you have funds to do such a thing, this is a great way to support your colleagues. 
While we obviously cannot pray, provide, promote and purchase for every single writer we know, we can most certainly do one of those things for several people we have met at various conferences and groups. I have veteran authors who are my best friends, but I also try to do those things for many, many first-time authors. So many people have encouraged me during my entire writing career, and I want to do the same.
Pick one writer you know. Pick one of the four ideas above. Start today. Then do another again tomorrow, next week and every week into 2021. I will be cheering you on!
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Lucinda Secrest McDowell, M.T.S., is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, McDowell is the author of 15 books and contributing author to 30+ books. Her award-winning books include Soul Strong, Life-Giving Choices, Dwelling Places, and Ordinary Graces. Lucinda, a member of the Redbud Writers Guild and AWSA, received Mt. Hermon “Writer of the Year” award and guest blogs monthly for ‘The Write Conversation.’ 
Whether coaching writers and speakers, pouring into young mamas, or leading a restorative day of prayer, she is energized by investing in people of all ages. As a communications teacher, she has served on the faculty of Speak Up Conference, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Florida Christian Writers Conference, Asheville Christian Writers Conference and co-directs the annual spiritual retreat reNEW – retreat for New England Writing & Speaking. Known for her ability to convey deep truth in practical and winsome ways, McDowell shares words from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and blogs weekly at WWW.LUCINDASECRESTMCDOWELL.COM