Respect: How A Writer Should Earn It

 Respect:

How A Writer Should Earn It

Most of us are little fish in a big pond when it comes to the publishing industry. We are all following our dreams and using what we know to make what we want possible. But none of that can truly be appreciated without earning respect. I will first tell you how to earn it and then move on to how not to. SPOILER ALERT! The ways on how not to earn respect out weight the how to.

You want to be willing to help other writers while understanding where they come from. Helping other writers can consist of beta reading or critiquing. It can be reviewing their work when its published. I personally spread by word of mouth how good a writer they are. Now you may ask when will I have time to write my own stories? There are many tools for how to manage your time wisely while helping others. You just have to remember along the way that this is all a part of earning respect.

As for understanding where the writer you're helping is coming from, simply get to know them. Treat them as your friend. Cheer the writer (or writers) you help on. People will respect you more this way.

Earning respect means presenting a positive image. You don't have to be positive all the time and sometimes reaching out to others for help can be a good thing. Do so with the same kindness and understanding being shown to you.

Keeping a positive image to me means showing you're busy and staying busy. Post questions about writing or blog about experiences at workshops. While attending said workshops be presentable in appearance and manners. Please leave out political issues if possible as you make connections. Writing before all else. That is the best policy you can follow.

NOW! Lets talk about what doesn't earn you respect.

Never disrespect anyone. Even people you disagree with deserve respect because sometimes harsh comments from you can backfire.

Leave big controversies happening online alone. Joining in is a risk not worth taking especially if you are not well known. And once you become well known someday, having participated in any negative event can come back at you.

Provide enough context in your posts and in person so that little misinterpretation can exist. There will still be people who hear and read what they want, but you will know what came from you.

Read and write what interests you. No one was elected and there is no law saying you have to read this or you can't write that. Ask yourself, will I respect myself if I play by the rules of people who don't sign my checks?

If you want to be sensitive to others then do so showing them they are capable. Throw away the idea that if someone was born this way or under these circumstance that the writer or reader is helpless in some way. If you want to earn respect, it also comes with allowing others to do the same.

And finally,  look for ways to get what you want with hard work. There is not a single person who has earned respect or benefited in any capacity by being handed an opportunity.

The "do not," part of this blogpost is a rant for me because I see so much negative out there. The positive needs to break through the clouds of the negative someday, and this post will hopefully be the one to do it.