Quiet Encouragement

Sometimes a little encouragement can go quite a long way. It could be a few kind words from a friend or relative after reading a manuscript, a husband nagging you to start a blog, or even a famous author speaking directly to her fans. I encountered the latter yesterday afternoon while checking my Facebook profile. Each day, while scrolling down my news feed, learning about what my closest chums are up to for the day, I always look forward to hearing from some of my writer friends. Having helped co-ordinate a local book festival for two years, I have gained many literary pals that span from authors in New Orleans, Arkansas, Arizona, Massachusetts, and even the deserts of California.

I haven't had the privilege to personally meet the fantastic "Vampire Queen" Anne Rice (although I have had dinner with a close runner up), I have been lucky enough to be "Friended" by her on Facebook. She attentively posts to her profile every day and offers up interesting trivia and nuggets of inspiration. So, when the rain began to fall yesterday evening and I started feeling a bit down, this is what Mrs. Rice had to say to her fans:

ADVICE TO A NEW WRITER: There are no rules in this profession. Do what is good for you. Read books and watch films that stimulate your writing. In your writing, go where the pain is; go where the pleasure is; go where the excitement is. Believe in your own original approach, voice, characters, story. Ignore critics. HAVE NERVE. BE STUBBORN.

I spent the rest of the evening piled up in bed, listening to the rain while writing page after page.