It was a writer’s dream. That’s how I felt at the recent grand opening of Lighthouse Writers Workshop new building. I was with over 500 other writers in the stunning, custom-built, cozy three-story building designed just for writers. Just for writers!
“We want this to be your home,” said Co-Founder and Director Michael Henry. And, we want it to be a place where writers of all ages, levels, backgrounds, genres come “hang out and write,” added Andrea Dupree, Co-Founder and Program Director.
What could be better? That night, when I left this writer’s paradise, I was riding high. High on great gratitude.
Gratitude for:
-living in a city that has invested in Lighthouse and writers
-living in a state with an incredibly supportive kid-lit writer community
-getting to teach youth at Lighthouse
-my awesome writer critique group, Story Spinners
-SCBWI-RMC
-my writing groups: Young Adult writers, NaNo writers
-my Monday accountability group
-my super supportive husband and friends
-my manuscript exchange partners
-my two late aunts who modeled creative follow-your-dreams living
Wow, I have been incredibly fortunate to have many, many cheerleaders on this crazy journey of querying picture books and revising young adult novels. At the grand opening, one author-speaker reminded, “writers need other writers, create your community.” I am immensely proud that I have created my writer community. And it keeps growing! I have great cheerleaders. Best of all, they have shown me how to be a cheerleader; they have inspired me to make time and show up for other writers.
In that spirit, I decided to share some of my favorite cheers from other writers. I keep them in a notebook and glance at them often, especially when I get a bad case of imposter syndrome. These words give me courage; remind me to have fun; renew my “I can do this.”
May these comments cheer you on, too.
For imposter syndrome: Before writing, take a few minutes to jot down what you’re thinking. Your doubts, your insecurities. Spit ‘em out! Then, write your goal for your session, such as word count, number of pages. At the end of your session, write down what you did.
Congrats on doing the hard work on your YA. It’ll pay off. Sometimes you just have to plough through the hard stuff.
What an achievement! I am so proud and inspired by your achievement of finishing another revision.
Did you sign on yet for film rights for your book?!!!! I can picture it as a movie.
You hooked me with your pitch. I want to read it!
You sound very clear on your intentions for your YA. Get your story out there!
Hip, hip hooray! I know you’re passionate about this story and I applaud you for sticking with it. This is very hard work!
Aim to send 100 queries. I got my agent on query 101.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to finish. What’s most important is that you are staying with the hard work.
Here’s to being cheerleaders and having cheerleaders. Go writers, go!
Lighthouse Writers Workshop is the largest literary center in the Rocky Mountain West. They offer writing instruction, workshops, events, and support for writers of kid-lit, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and many other genres. New location: 3844 York St., Denver CO 80205. For more information: Lighthouse Writers Workshop |
Not everyone got a request, some got many. And this is where Mindy’s magic really shines. From those who never heard anything, to those who signed with agents and editors, to those (like me) still on the journey waiting to hear back to find out if their work will be picked up—every one of us felt like a winner. The Facebook community of past and present finalists was always there to answer questions, support, commiserate, and celebrate. To call PBParty a contest is not doing it justice. Mindy has achieved something far more difficult. She creates community. And that is truly something to celebrate!