Today is the National Day on Writing, an officially-recognized initiative by the National Council of Teachers of English to “draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing we engage in and help make writers from all walks of life aware of their craft.” In less than two weeks, more than 100,000 writers will put pens to paper to kick off National Novel Writing Month, a frenzied quest in which participants strive to complete a 50,000-word novel in a month.

For those of us who write for a living, these writing-designated events might give us the extra encouragement we need to start or finish a project; some good vibes from the collective creative energy of thousands of writers and other aspiring authors. Or, the events may pass with little notice — just a stream of #nanowrimo tags in the Twitterverse. For us, writing is such a part of our ingrained lives that on any given day, we’re probably writing, revising, outlining, book marketing, or handling the administrative details of a writing career. The time of “aspiring” seems foreign now; days so far in the past that we can’t recall whether we actually lived them or just read about them in a history book. Is this a good thing? I don’t know. I change my answer a lot.

I hear from many readers who aspire to write. Teens, adults, young kids, grandparents, teachers, students, librarians. They often share their fears that they’re too young / too old / too inexperienced / too boring / too insecure / too whatever to write a book or short story or screenplay or poem. I think all writers feel that way — even published ones. Even long after our first sale, again and again as we travel the loops of the writing and publication roller coaster over the course of our careers. I know I do. But the thing that’s most helped me overcome — or at least, accept and manage — those fears enough to keep me writing, to keep me trying, is encouragement.

Encouragement can come from my husband, cheering me on, bringing me hot tea, reminding me how much I love to write even on the most frustrating days. My proud parents, selling books to their friends or updating the family on the latest news. My agent, reminding me that I can do it. That he has faith in me and my work. My editor, telling me what she loves most about the latest draft. Even Chancho, my three-legged lucky writing pig, has been known to lift my spirits from the fog. But sometimes, encouragement comes from someone unexpected. Someone less involved in and less affected by my personal, day-to-day ups and downs. A fellow author, offering a virtual hug as we wait together for news on an acquisition or a review. A librarian, writing to say how much she enjoyed my book and how long the hold list is for a copy. A teacher who may not even realize how much she influenced and encouraged me way back when I was a student, or how much her efforts mean to me even now, decades later.

All of us who visit AuthorsNow have a connection to writing. Whether we’re authors, teachers, librarians, bloggers, parents, readers, or lucky writing pigs, we all share a love for stories. We all have an investment in the craft of writing and the creation of books. As such, we have a responsibility to nurture and encourage those who want to write. Those who want to see their words printed on pages for all of us to one day read and enjoy. So I want to declare today, and all the days in November, and all the days of every month, National Writing Encouragement Day. If you see or know a writer — aspiring, published, seasoned, just starting out, still dreaming of those first words on the page — encourage him. Give her the thumbs up or a quick pat on the back. Let him know that you’re excited that he’s writing. That you’re proud of her. That you know he can do it. It might just mean the world to someone. For those who write, a little encouragement might be the difference between aspiring and achieving.

And for all the aspiring writers out there who think they’re too “something” to write a book, I share this quote, posted today by Cheryl Renee Herbsman, author of BREATHING:

“Waiting for your life to change is like looking in the mirror and expecting your reflection to smile before you do.” ~ unknown

It’s the National Day on Writing. And it’s National Writing Encouragement Day. So… you know what to do.

~ Sarah Ockler, Author of TWENTY BOY SUMMER

About The Author

Sarah Ockler wrote and illustrated her first book at age six-an adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. When she approached her parents about publishing it, they taught her a new phrase-copyright infringement-and encouraged her to pursue original works. Sarah heeded their advice, legitimizing her writing career with the publication of her first short story, “The Crazy Mixed-Up Candy Cane Machine,” in the elementary school paper.  Read more about Sarah Ockler.

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