The Gift of Belief. No, I’m not talking about Santa Claus.
Last week, the YA Muses wrote about gifts for writers. What do writers want for the holidays? Things like people to read their books (Katy), ultra-fine tipped Sharpies (Donna), conferences and retreats (Talia), fingerless gloves (Veronica), and guilt-free writing time (Bret). Yes, sign me up for all of those. But the most important thing I want is something I already have, which is a community of people who believe in me. They believe in me not only when things are going well, but even when I have no faith in myself. When I’m thinking of herding goats in a cold remote country that has no computers or typewriters or notebooks.
Friends and family – writers & non-writers alike – post encouragements via email, texts, and Facebook. They listen to me whine. They talk me down when I’m facing the Crevasse of Insecurity. They celebrate the good things, and believe more good things are to come.
They also read my words over and over and over and come up with brilliant suggestions to make my words into something people – not just goats – would want to read. They listen to me obsess about plot, character, revisions, querying, success, and failure.
And all this time invested comes down to one very simple thing: belief. They believe in me. Maybe they don’t think This Book is the one, but they won’t say so. Because even if it isn’t This Book, it’s the one after that, or the one after that, or – you get the idea. And they’re all along for the ride, with all its ups and downs.
I’m frowning a little as I write this, because it’s so sappy. But it’s true: I love you.
So We All Understand Each Other: Just because I’ve already received the Gift of Belief does NOT mean I will turn down other, more materialistic offerings this holiday season.
So tell me – who do you have to thank for believing in you?
Beth Hull 
There are scads of us who love and believe in you. And this book is the one – as is ATRS and the one after that.
SEE WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!? Pat, above, is a prime example of those people I am thankful for. Look at that encouragement. I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning without people like Pat in my life.
I believe in you, always! And you are awesome, ’cause you believe in me (although I am not doing anything awesome like writing… I’m uh… playing video games and librarying.)
Others who are awesome in always supporting me are my mom (naturally), and Greg (although he goes about it in weird ways sometimes, sort of tough loving it).
DChan, you’re the best librarying video gamer I know!
Yeah, support sometimes comes from snarky quarters (i.e. Greg, Homes). Homes told me the other day that anything a literary agent may or may not have to say to me in an email would be expired if I don’t respond to the email within ten minutes. As in, I should perhaps check my email more often. As in, total sarcasm.
Yes. The support is refreshing when you feel like you’ve hit a roadblock….
(And I’ll take a good fountain pen over a sharpie any day….)
I prefer fountain pens, too, Sean, but have you seen all the colors available in the giant packs of sharpies? What appeal!
Oddly enough, Miles is the one who most regularly voices his belief in me these days…he often says, “you can do it mommy”, or, my favorite, “I want to be just like you when I grow up. You’re my best friend”. His pure, sweet love inspires me to be the person he thinks I am, which is a much better person than I really am.
By the way, I believe in you too! Don’t head off for the mountains yet, even if Santa brings you those warm, stylin’ boots.
An observation: warm boots alone won’t cut it up there in the mountains. At a minimum, I’d recommend a hat and some gloves. Pants and a parka might be a good idea, too. 🙂
Haha, Michelle! I wondered if anyone would notice that. My stick figures are usually kinda naked, but the Beth depicted does look rather cold. Of course, the real Beth is cold no matter how many layers she is wearing.
Also, Miles is a sweetheart.
Dude. I have total faith in your mad skills.
Dude. Thank you. 🙂
Love you too!
I believe in you 🙂 You can do it! You’ve just got to keep trying. Don’t give up! It will be worth it!
Thanks, madhatter! I believe in you, too.
Love this post!! Friendships, community, “others” are an immense gift! I’m thankful for my parents, my hubby, my long-time friends who have weathered the good, the bad, & the awfully ugly.
We’re so lucky, Vic!