I have had the privilege of helping other writers through my role with InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship. It is an opportunity to give back to writers who have poured their time, wisdom, and encouragement into my life. Can you take a moment to help a wannabe writer by using one of these three ideas below?

1. Share Resources

I joined InScribe because my cousin mentioned that he was part of a Christian writer’s group and he encouraged me to check it out. That led to other resources such as writer blogs, courses from Writer’s Digest, contests, conferences, WorDshops, podcasts, books and magazines on the craft of writing. What resource can you suggest that will help steer a writer in a good direction?

2. Challenge

A friend of mine challenged me to enter a writing contest. The genre was fantasy and I told her that I could not write that style. She believed I could do it. I tried it and I loved it. This spring another friend texted and encouraged me to sign up for a WorDshop. Sometimes all it takes is a word or two of challenge to motivate another writer. Through the emails I send to InScribe members, I often ask writers what they are working on. I have enjoyed opening the door a crack to look over their shoulder and hear about their projects. I know that if somebody is going to check up on me once in awhile, I am more motivated to keep writing and to stick to my goals. What type of challenge can you put out there for a writer you know? Are you part of a writing group that nudges each other? Accountability is something we all need to help keep us on track.

3. Encourage

I have found that writers need encouragement – not writing-related necessarily. Sometimes they just need to have a cup of coffee and share their heart, and then they feel ready or inspired to write again. Is there a writer nearby who needs a kind word or a coffee break? All you need is a listening ear.

In this busy season I’m passing through, I am thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to share resources, keep writers accountable, and encourage. Someday soon I will be actively writing again, but for now I’m giving back what several other writers have already poured into me.

If Pam could spend all day in her kitchen baking pies, brownies, and making turkey dinner for friends, she would. But Murray Pura once told her to write first and then bake—advice that she is trying to stick with these days, except, of course, when her grandchildren stop in for milk and cookies.