I have a friend who read one of my novel manuscripts and started comparing it to "Lawrence of Arabia." My manuscript fell far short of such a comparison...but having that comparison and at least one person who saw the seed of something great in my storytelling has helped me to keep writing and improving. Knowing you have just one dedicated audience member gives an infinitely powerful boost over having no audience at all.
So true, Tanner. Love the friend dropping the Laurence of Arabia comp. We're rational enough to know in our heads "that's not literally true," but can't be so cynical we don't want to see how close we can get to it. Thanks for sharing.
I can't think of anything more inspirational than to be given credit by someone for being an inspiration, so I am going to bask all afternoon in "myself-ishness"... BTW, I used to visit the classrooms of your fellow screenwriter Brad Copeland to do cartoon lessons when he was an elementary school student. For all I know, he may have been listening and inspired. Until I hear otherwise I will think so and start looking into the notion of billing myself as a mentor. (Great post, BBTW)
Once I told one of of my best friends that perhaps I could write, like a writer I meant. I liked to write and draw and I was thinking that becoming a writer could be a possibility for me... She told me that she couldn´t imagine myself writing a book or something like that.
Time passed by and I came back from a long trip to New Zealand. I met her and told her all what I experienced and felt there. How that trip have changed my way of thinking and living. She was so impressed and happy for me. And she told me: ¨You have to write it, even if you write it only for you, but do it¨. I did it, and that was a book some years later.
Now she is allways telling me that she love what I write and that I have to keep going :)
I’ve had a mentor who played a similar role in my life. Even now, when I’m feeling small and irrelevant, I think about the encouragement he showed me, and it sort of lifts me back up.
I have a friend who read one of my novel manuscripts and started comparing it to "Lawrence of Arabia." My manuscript fell far short of such a comparison...but having that comparison and at least one person who saw the seed of something great in my storytelling has helped me to keep writing and improving. Knowing you have just one dedicated audience member gives an infinitely powerful boost over having no audience at all.
So true, Tanner. Love the friend dropping the Laurence of Arabia comp. We're rational enough to know in our heads "that's not literally true," but can't be so cynical we don't want to see how close we can get to it. Thanks for sharing.
I can't think of anything more inspirational than to be given credit by someone for being an inspiration, so I am going to bask all afternoon in "myself-ishness"... BTW, I used to visit the classrooms of your fellow screenwriter Brad Copeland to do cartoon lessons when he was an elementary school student. For all I know, he may have been listening and inspired. Until I hear otherwise I will think so and start looking into the notion of billing myself as a mentor. (Great post, BBTW)
Bask away, Jake. Thanks again.
Nice. I loved this. I agree entirely. Thank you so much for sharing.
Once I told one of of my best friends that perhaps I could write, like a writer I meant. I liked to write and draw and I was thinking that becoming a writer could be a possibility for me... She told me that she couldn´t imagine myself writing a book or something like that.
Time passed by and I came back from a long trip to New Zealand. I met her and told her all what I experienced and felt there. How that trip have changed my way of thinking and living. She was so impressed and happy for me. And she told me: ¨You have to write it, even if you write it only for you, but do it¨. I did it, and that was a book some years later.
Now she is allways telling me that she love what I write and that I have to keep going :)
Funny how you had to show her for her to see it. Glad you pushed through — and glad she supports you now!
I’ve had a mentor who played a similar role in my life. Even now, when I’m feeling small and irrelevant, I think about the encouragement he showed me, and it sort of lifts me back up.
Cool. Make sure you tell him/her if they’re still around too.
What an incredible experience and encouraging message!
Sometimes all you need is for someone to believe in you. ♥️