I run a workshop for writers conference rookies where the bottom line is: Be Friendly. The term friend has somehow grown shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. It’s devolved into internet chums or collected names on social media. A friend is no longer the one to call when you’re in jail or when you’re at wits end and about to do something that might land you there. So I think it’s time I put my 49+ years of worldly wisdom to work and explain just what I mean when I say, “Be Friendly.” To me, friend means support.
Friends promote and bolster and encourage. Friends exaggerate the positive and talk about the negative in quiet tones when others aren’t around. And they do it constructively, to support. When I tell people to be friendly, I mean treat each encounter with a new person as a chance to make and keep a friend. We all need friends in our lives. These are the people we can count on. They are also the people who can count on us, and that is the crux I want to drive home.
To have friends one must first be a friend.
Monday I did something I consider incidental. A volunteer at my day job asked for information about local writers who do children’s books. I referred her to Fleur Bradley, a local whose award winning books are some of my daughter’s favorites. When Fleur announced that same morning that her latest is up for an award I told her, “Hey, I just recommended you to a friend.” Her response stunned me: “You’re such an amazing advocate for fellow authors… Thank you!” I never thought of myself as an advocate. I just did what I felt was right in the moment. I thought I was being friendly.
And friendly means support.
So friends, Exceptionals is up for Cover of the Month on AllAuthor.com. Please, go and vote!
