Do you remember a surprisingly kind + insightful + genuine thing someone said about your writing not too long ago? Maybe a mentor, writing buddy, or a reader of your work in a journal reached out to say, I liked that image, detail, character, last line. It has stayed with me. It gave me hope.
As we move forward in 2023, and word clouds made from our inboxes turn “resolution,” “goal,” or “intention” into giants of the month, I encourage you to consider refocusing those intentions for a moment, and turning them towards helping another writer achieve their goals.
Cheer that writer on. Say something you genuinely loved or appreciated about their work. It may stay with them—give them hope. Plus, you may be surprised at how much it inspires you in your own writing, too.