Giving Back Series, Part Five: Writing Freebie Articles

Writing Freebie Articles
Giving Back Series

Net's Notations Tuesdays

Here’s a fun topic for our Giving Back series: writing articles for blogs, (like Seriously Write *wink*) for "free." Our guests have been so gracious over the past couple of years, offering their wisdom and insight, their encouragement and personal stories, all without monetary compensation. Thank you!

(If you haven’t written for us and would like to, please let Dawn or me know. We’re always scheduling new guests.)

Okay, now back from our commercial…

I remember the first time one of my articles was accepted for publication. What a day! And then came the moment I learned I’d get paid for something I wrote. Whew, we’re a professional now. *grin* But what about the markets you won’t get paid to submit to? Are they worth your time? Probably. Here’s why:

1) PROMOTION: Your name and book(s)/work are promoted. (This is a big benefit of writing for Seriously Write. Lots of our guests time their posts around new releases.)
2) PROMOTION: You get to work with varied markets. (Hey, that’s about promotion too.)
3) EXPERIENCE: You gain experience and another bullet point on your byline/resume.
4) ESTABLISH: Even if you aren’t published in book length, you establish a name for yourself while you work toward publication. Article/devotional submission is a fantastic way to get started in the industry. (Carla Williams, then president of NCWA taught me that. Still so thankful for her wisdom.)

So, even in our efforts to give back to writers by sharing our hard-earned wisdom or experience, we receive benefits. It’s a win-win.

You won’t always be able to see the results, but whenever you give back, God marks His tally sheet. You’re planting a seed; you’re helping other writers; you’re making a difference. Hear this: no investment in your writing life is wasted.

So, share your expertise and trust God with the dividends. He’s watching your account as you give back.

Giving Back Series, Part Four: Critiquing

Critiquing

Giving Back Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

We sit around in a circle, the smell of French fries and burgers swirling in the air, chatter and shared fellowship between us. Welcome to McCrit. Four of us make up the group, three of whom are your hostesses here on Seriously Write. We pass each other chapters, then get to work, reading, pencils at the ready. We try not to peek at each other’s comments or smiley faces. It’s best to wait until we’re through with the reading portion, when we begin to share our impressions. Let the fun begin!

We’re there to share our lives, our writing, and our opinions with each other.

We’re there to give back.

The greatest thing about a crit group you get to share your opinion as a mostly objective reader. You bring a new (and informed) perspective. And your opinion matters. A lot. It’s likely you’re in a group with others who are near your experience level, but either way, your input counts.

If it hasn’t happened already, someday a writer may come to you for your opinion on his/her work. Say this person hasn’t been writing as long as you have been, or this is someone you’re mentoring, or this is a friend whose usual group isn’t meeting this week. So there you are. Limited time, with a choice to make.

We’ve been talking about giving back this month. Critiquing is another way we can give back (and usually get something immediately in return). When you take the time to read someone else’s work, with a mind for improving it and helping that person, you’re offering a service. You have a chance to encourage him/her, to minister to them, to point out areas which need work. It’s a privilege. Think about all the times someone has done that for you. :D

Now, that’s not to say we should spread ourselves thin, but God will honor our sacrifices, the time we spend. He’s put others in our path to bless us and guide us, to cheer us on. Helping other writers is a great way to give back.

Giving Back Series, Part Three: Mentoring

Mentoring
Giving Back Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Over the years, I’ve witnessed a lot of selfless giving within the Christian writing community. Authors like Dee Henderson, Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, Brandilyn Collins, Colleen Reece and so many others who mentor writers with sincere hopes of their pupil’s success. Then, when one of these “students” signs a contract or publishes an article, the mentor cheers from the sidelines, genuinely pleased with the breakthrough.

It takes a servant’s heart to mentor someone and a lot of grace to wish someone well in their writing, as you strive for success as well. Hmm… a servant’s heart, and grace. Reminds me of God and His character.

Mentoring was His idea. In the Bible, He directs people who are farther along in their journey as Christians or life to mentor those who are less far along.

It’s natural (and wise) for writers to be recipients for a long time—years, in fact. We sit as students, learning, growing, receiving, taking lessons in.

But then the time comes when we recognize we have something to give. There are writers coming up behind us who haven’t learned about deep POV, in-depth character sketches, subtexts, marketing, or platform. We have something to offer, and not just in teaching. Encouragement too. You can reassure someone else as they learn to wait for responses from editors or agents. You can nudge them to begin new projects, help them brainstorm plots, critique their work. I've been very grateful for the mentors God has brought into my life.

Mentoring relationships often just happen. Circumstance and timing align and viola! You have yourself a mentor or a mentee. You don’t have to force it. Just be willing, should God nudge you in that direction.

I saw a great quote on Facebook recently from worshiper Darrell Evans, who graciously permitted me to share it with you: “Ministry is always about serving someone else’s destiny.” Mentoring is a form of ministry, another great way to give back.

Do you have a mentor? How has he/she blessed your writing life?

Giving Back Series, Part Two: Speaking

Hey everyone, Annette here. Last week we discussed volunteering your time. This week's topic can be on a volunteer basis, or a paid basis, but it does involve giving your time.

Let's talk about speaking at a school or teaching workshops.

A few years ago, my good friend (and Seriously Write cohost) Ocieanna Fleiss asked me to speak at her MOPS group. What a treat! The date? Valentine’s Day so we discussed marriage, I believe, and because it was a Christian setting, I brought God into the discussion.

When my older children were in elementary school, their teachers and I talked about the possibility of me coming in and sharing with the students about writing—making it fun. The timing never worked. But I’ve heard of many authors prepping and visiting classrooms with their lessons.

We had a teacher’s aid in my ninth grade English class who made all the difference for me as a budding writer. She taught us about character sketches, gave us names like Oogie and some normal names and assigned us to give our characters traits and write a story about them. I loved that assignment. My imagination went wild. That was the beginning of a love of fiction writing for me.

One speaker can make all the difference.

Now, I realize all the speaking engagements out there aren’t all volunteer opportunities. At times you’ll get paid for them, or reimbursed for travel.

But either way, your words have an impact—spoken or written. Why not volunteer to share your words as a speaker? You can speak to church groups, writers, students, etc. You never know how your teaching might impact someone else. The T.A. from my English may never know. But I’ll never forget.

Volunteering to speak is another way we can give back.

Giving Back Series, Part One: Volunteering

Volunteering
Giving Back Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Last month we spoke of gathering tools and being dedicated students of writing craft. We’ve been recipients, and of course, to some extent, that will continue. This month, let’s discuss giving back.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever volunteered—in any capacity: church nursery, food pantry, feeding the homeless, ministries at church. Doesn’t it feel good to help others? Absolutely! One way we stay refreshed as Christians is through serving.

Now, raise your hand if you belong to a writer’s group. Perhaps you could volunteer to serve on the board, or begin a new local group, as an extension of that national group. What if your time is limited? Perhaps you could go early to the meeting and help set up, or stay a tad later and help with tear down. Perhaps you could volunteer to write a newsletter or edit the group’s brochure.

Ask yourself: where can I volunteer to share my writing skills, or even do manual labor as needed for meetings? One group I belonged to needed someone to head up the refreshments table. That's another option.

In late February, ACFW board met in preparation for their annual conference. These committed volunteers are giving their time as well as their expertise, to help other writers.

How can you give your time or your expertise? As we plant seeds in our writing lives, we're investing in our future. God promises we will reap in due season if we don't give up. Where are you planting seeds?

God both asks us to be servants, and rewards those who serve. How will you practice giving back this year?