Do Writers Need Cheerleaders?

Cynthia Herron Writing 7 Comments

My previous website design and marketing team loved what they did. It was clearly evident in the treatment of their clients right down to the smallest detail, even in their e-mail correspondence.

“Cheering you on” became synonymous with PulsePoint Design’s signature. I loved this because I knew they meant it. They were wonderful cheerleaders.

When the company closed in February, I was at a loss. Who else would cheer me on? Who else would answer my techy types of questions and help with my online presence the way PulsePoint had?

Thankfully, PulsePoint recommended another great company who shared their Christ-focused principles and a similar vision of excellence.

Jones House Creative, a Tulsa-based team, is innovative, ministry-minded, and God-focused. And their trademark signature? It’s always prefaced with “In your corner.” Again, another “cheering you on” kind of thing. I think of pom-pons and megaphones when I see those words. I love ’em!

For writers, it’s so important for us to be surrounded by people who will indeed stand in our corner and cheer us on as we navigate this exciting, but often exhausting, road to publishing. Ideally, most of us will have many cheerleaders along the way: family, friends, critique partners, agents, editors, writers’ groups, website design and marketing firms, and others.

We’re motivated when we know we have folks who believe in us and want the best for us. I’ve never heard anyone say yet, “Gee, I’m so glad I can just go it alone. I don’t need anyone!”

True, writing’s a solitary profession, and often times, we adjust our daily schedules around the fictional characters we create. However, because those characters can’t talk back (well, tangibly anyway), our writing worlds can become pretty quiet and a tad lonesome. It’s great to be able to e-mail or pick up the phone and call one of our cheerleaders for moral support.

And when I feel tired, overwhelmed, or maybe somewhat stressed, I imagine Christ as my head cheerleader, with Him coaching… Come on. Just a bit farther now. You’re almost there. You can do it!

******

Do you need cheerleaders or are you Mr./Mrs. Self-Reliant?

Who’s your biggest cheerleader?

Photo Credit: thaikrit/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blessings Always,

Comments 7

  1. Jessica R. Patch

    I love this and I’m looking for a design team, myself. I’ll have to email you later about them.

    When I was having a BIG freak out over a ms…an embedded watermark matriculated into it and I had to send it off for a contest, but any marks like that would disqualify me. I went to every techy person I knew and on my way to my BFFs to see if it would go away using a different computer I was listening to my Jesus Culture CD and the Lord started whispering to my heart. “Have you come this far to give up?” No. “Who’s done the work?” Me. “Are you quitter?” No! “Fight it out!” And I saw in my mind me in a boxing corner and I knew it was Jesus beside me…with boxiing gloves and He was jabbing at the air, like a warm up. I remember laughing. Out loud through tears laughing at Him! And then He said, “I knew I could I make you smile.” And I simply felt peace.

    Now…I had to take my hard copy at 100K at REWRITE it…in week’s time. I think I slept about 10 hours all week, and I hurt like nobody’s business, but I kept see Him–cheering me on, caring enough to make me laugh and I pushed through. I even had friends offer to take sections and type for me…and they did!

    I did not win that contest, BUT…it was at that conference, I pitched to RK and she’s my agent! So it was worth the fight! (Sorry about writing a book on your page!)

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      Cynthia Herron

      Jess, isn’t it awesome when God’s plan and purpose for our lives is bigger than our own?! What a great way for Him to use your manuscript glitch to further His will for you!

      I loved your comment. How many times would it just be easier to quit and take a breather than to keep persevering on faith? I can think of countless examples in my own life that could mirror this. It’s hard to keep on keepin’ on, but with God as our biggest fan (and cheerleader) we know the outcome is always going to be something bigger and better than we ever dreamed!

      (You can write a book here anytime!) 😉

  2. Loree Huebner

    At times, I hear Him whispering, or nudging my elbow along, just when I need it and think I can go no farther. I take another step, then another. I can because I know that all things are possible with Him.

    When I feel the time is right for a design team and website, I will contact you, Cynthia.

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      Cynthia Herron

      Loree, I think as Christians we have this innate sense that enables us to keep plodding along. It has to do with that little, but profound, word: faith.

      I’m sure the kind folks at Jones House Creative will wow you with ideas whenever you’re ready. They’re a wonderful support team! (One of my many fave sites that they’ve created is Carla Stewart’s. Colorful, creative, and nostalgic but not old fashioned.)

  3. Loree Huebner

    oops again…lol

    that would be ” *can’t* go no farther”

    Fingers are not working with brain today…lol!

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