I’m hard at work, editing my next book and trying to meet a tight deadline. Thus, my friends Crissy, Joy, and Amy offered to guest-blog for me! They’re avid readers, active in the Christian fiction community, and wonderfully supportive of authors. Also, they’re experts on today’s topic. Writing despair/stress/fear has pushed me out onto a few ledges. 🙂 And each time, they’ve talked me off. Please extend a warm welcome to them! -Becky
How to Talk an Author off a Ledge…
• Do a self-check. Are you standing on the ledge beside them? You may need to step back from the ledge yourself first.
• Speak in a calming way… give them your best James-Earl-Jones-reading-the-Bible voice. Use caution – higher pitches could send them right over the edge.
• Send soothing pictures of puppies… or images of the inspiration for their current hero.
• Make them laugh. Using quotes from their own books is highly encouraged.
• Share a Bible verse. Just like in Sunday school, the answer is always Jesus!
• Be discerning. They have imaginary friends so knowing whether the conversation you’re having is taking place in a fictional world or the real one is key. Your comments may change depending on the world.
• Encourage them to breathe. A little “downward dog” goes a long way toward improving breathing. If it’s really bad, tell them to head straight to “child’s pose”.
• Remind them that they’re your favorite author, but take a lesson from our friend Nancy Porter and don’t tell the others!
• Be positive. Find the good in the situation. Like a toddler, sometimes they just need to be redirected.
• Remind them that God goes before them and you’re praying for them.
Take a moment to connect with these three online — you’ll be glad you did!
Amy: Twitter |Facebook |Instagram
Have you ever attempted to extend encouragement to an overwrought author? If so, what strategy worked for you?
Becky Wade
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Thanks for the post today, Amy, Crissy, and Joy! Loved the laughter—and truth. And of course that pic of the three of you off to some fun adventure. Appreciate you sharing!
Laughter sure is good for the soul, isn’t it? Congratulations on your induction to the Christy Hall of Fame! I love seeing authors celebrated so last night was wonderful!
🙂 It was fun to do! Congrats on your achievement last night! 🙂
This was AWESOME! But I’m really the favorite, right? Or has it all been lies? LOL.
You ladies are amazing and I’m so blessed by you all <3
You are absolutely my favorite. 😉 (but don’t tell the others!)
Hey Dani!!! Need a coffee chat stat!
What a great post! Thank you for the wonderful advice.
When friends are on deadlines, I send a note, silly or serious, and pray for them.
Cranking out words is a lively and stressful (at times) endeavor. We readers appreciate it greatly.
Have a good weekend!
Thanks, Stacy! I love that you send a note when they’re on deadline. I’m sure that is a great source of encouragement to them! And I agree that readers appreciate authors greatly.
You three are the BEST!!! You are all encouragers and that is one of the BEST things to be!
Aw! And I didn’t even pay you to say that publicly. ha! You’re the best too!