A Simple Thank You From A Stranger Can Change Everything

Raft - Sharks - Ocean - Lori
Image by Lori Twining (January 2016)

Being a writer is sometimes difficult. There are times when you sit at your writing desk and stare at your screen. No typing; just staring. The white blank page becomes a dark scary place with an evil black cursor blinking back at you, daring you to write something worth reading. It’s like being stuck on a raft in the middle of the ocean, with no paddles, hungry sharks are circling and no matter where your eyes focus, you see nothing. No land. No help. No words. Your inner voice is stalled. The fear envelopes you. You can’t think and you can’t write. Not one single word. And, if by some miracle you find it in yourself to write a sentence or two, five minutes later you are hitting the delete button. You are right back at the beginning: the blank screen, with criticizing readers circling, waiting to attack you with negative feedback. This is when you think about giving up. It would be so much easier. Maybe, you weren’t meant to be a writer?

And then, something like this happens…

During the past three weeks, I have received four emails, two Facebook inbox messages and one phone call, all from complete strangers. They tracked me down through various means, finding my name in the phone book or simply by googling my name and contacting me through my website. Each and every one of these strangers wanted to thank me for writing a story I wrote over a year ago. They were so inspired by my writing; they wanted to know where they could read more of my work.

At first, I imagined my husband pranking me somehow, by hiring some strangers to call me or contact me, because he knew I was struggling with my lack of confidence in my writing. Seriously, I was about to give up and walk away from my writing life and figured this was his sly way of getting me back to tapping at my keyboard, so he could watch sports in peace. I really couldn’t believe it was anything more than a joke or some spam messages.

I decided to respond to each person with a personal note. They all responded back to me. I found out, that because it was Christmas, these strangers were reading a true story I wrote about my children and the difficulty we face with having a blended family during the holiday season. In many families, kids are pulled in multiple directions during holidays, because of divorces, remarriages, and custody battles, etc. I’m a strong believer in not adding more pressure to my kid’s lives, by making them choose between two parent’s houses and various other celebrations going on during the Christmas season. Our family makes the best of the time we have together, even if we only have a few hours. These strangers were relating their lives to mine, telling me I inspired them to share the story with other people in their families who were experiencing the same difficulty, and to remind them, it’s the kids that matter most and the kids should/need to come first.

Well, I’ve been wearing a smile for three solid weeks now, knowing that someone (actually there are seven someones) appreciated the time I spent writing something. I am now back writing my novel, trying not to think about what others will think of it. I’ll save that worrying for later. It’s so nice to know that a simple thank you from a stranger can change everything.

Thank you - Lori - Jan Blog
Photo by Lori Twining (January 2016)

In the meantime, I have thought about the books I’ve been reading lately. Some of these authors are so inspiring to me. They are motivating me to write my own words. So, to pay it forward, I have sent thank you notes to ten authors over the Christmas break, thanking them and acknowledging their efforts in producing a fine piece of literature and for entertaining me for hours with their writing… and guess what? They have all responded enthusiastically. Most of them say I made their day. They are smiling and beaming. This makes me happy.

So, what are you waiting for?

It’s time to be someone else’s stranger… go send a small thank you note to one of your favourite authors today. I guarantee they will appreciate your shout out. If you feel sheepish sending a personal note, the next best way to thank an author, is to write a review of their book. Don’t be afraid to tell others about a book you fell in love with. Believe me, the author will see your review and it will also make them smile.

This world needs more writers who are smiling, and more strangers handing out a simple thank you… remember, it can change EVERYTHING.

 

Lori Twining

Lori Twining writes both fiction and nonfiction, with her stories winning awards in literary competition and appearing in several anthologies and magazines. She’s an active member of many writing groups: International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters In Crime, and Ascribe Writers. She’s a lover of books, sports and bird watching, and a hater of slithering reptiles and beady-eyed rodents. Find more info at www.lvtwriter.com

6 thoughts to “A Simple Thank You From A Stranger Can Change Everything”

  1. Lori, it is an honour to call you a friend and relative. You and Edwin are wonderful parents and each time I read your Christmas story I can’t help but weep. You have it all together and it makes me shutter to think at times you contemplate putting your writing on the back burner – DON’T!!!! I look forward to each and everyone of your blogs and stories. Thank you ❤️❤️

    1. Ahhh, Barb, you’ve given me happy tears this morning. Thank you for the kind words. I can’t believe you’ve actually read that story more than once? Wow, I’m impressed and feel quite blessed. Thank you for reading ALL my blogs and stories. You are a true fan… the kind of person I usually only dream about. I have given myself a pep talk and promise to get busy writing… at least, to give YOU & Jim something to read and discuss during breakfast! 😉

  2. Fantastic reminder that we need to BE the change we want to see! I wonder what would happen if we reached out as a ‘stranger’ once for every encouraging ‘once’ we hope to receive for ourselves? Thank you Lori for the beautiful reminder that we never do this writing thing alone. It feels alone, but that’s how everybody feels until someone responds to their work, no matter what the job is. The problem with writing is the prep time – forever sometimes! As to that blank scary page, we need to turn that inner critic OFF and just. write. words. Like the astonishing contact from a stranger, the right words will show up if we’re available to type them. Beautiful essay and thank you.

    1. Thank you, Brenda! I think you have a wonderful idea. I love this: “I wonder what would happen if we reach out as a ‘stranger’ once for every encouraging ‘once’ we hope to receive for ourselves?” I will definitely try to send a positive note to other writers and authors at least once a week, for the whole year. When you think about it, that will be 52 people wearing a small (or extremely large) smile because I took the time to reach out to them. Love, love, love this idea. Twitter has already started a hashtag called #ThankAWriter. It makes me smile! 🙂

    1. Susan, so nice to hear from you! Thank you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog, when you should be busy writing your next novel. I’m looking forward to reading about Signy Shepherd’s next thrilling adventure. By the way, you are so right; writers are the best. Hugs!

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