“Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over and whispers, ‘Grow, Grow.’”
The Talmud

Just today, a friend and I who are both penning children’s novels met for a session of several hours — we exchanged pages and each gave the other some fresh plot ideas to strengthen our stories. Most of all, we encouraged each other. What a gift!

To encourage — to give heart — when we offer this gift to another writer, we enrich ourselves as well. Wherever you are on your writing road, you have something of value to give a fellow writer. Consider one of the ways you might easily give another writer heart:

You can exchange pages: This is surely the most helpful way you can support another writer. As I think over the many stages of my children’s novel, there is so much help that I’ve been given by my critique group and by other wonderful writers and friends when it comes to plot, character, and pacing.

You can send an email: I have an inspiration board in my tiny office; on it I’ve pinned emails my dear friends Wendy, Donna, and others have sent me with words of praise and support during this intense book-writing marathon I’ve been on. If I get knocked flat by a problem or hit a plateau, scanning them always gives me a boost.

You can write a note: I also have a special drawer for handwritten notes from friends. I cherish these and feel they are good-luck talismans for me. I’ve written notes of thanks and support to friends myself and when I pop a cheerful bird or flower stamp on them and send them off by snail mail, I always feel refreshed. I love to think of my friend on the receiving end of these cheerful little missives and the pleasure and energy they’ll find tucked inside. It only takes a few moments to pen a note like this — but it can mean so much and arrive at just the right moment to make a difference.

You can forward an article or interview: For me, one of the joys of writing this blog is the advice and tips I gather so I can share them with you. Why not do the same for your own special tribe of scribes? Whenever my wonderful sister Steph or a friend sends me the link to an article they think I might enjoy and find helpful, it makes me feel blessed and special. It also shows me I’m not on this writing journey alone.

You can give a surprise book: Once I received a package in the mail from my dear friend CJ. Inside were two books she thought I’d enjoy. What a treat! And once, my dear friend Lil sent me — out of the blue — the cutest little book called Coffee with Oscar Wilde because she knew I was working (sort of!) on a screenplay about him. What a delightful surprise to find this precious writerly gift in my mailbox!

Writing is a joy, but as we all know, it has its ups and downs. Why not be an encouragement counselor, a writing angel for someone else — and whisper “Grow. Grow.” Simple gestures to express our belief and confidence in each other take only a little time to bestow, but they mean so much. Are there any special ways you’ve encouraged your fellow travelers on the writing road? I’d love to hear about them. Write on!