Friday, October 17, 2008

Paying Forward

I just finished reading Catherine Ryan Hyde's beautiful book PAY IT FORWARD. What an awesome story and great idea.

It got me thinking about writers.

Writers in general are very giving people. We give our time, our ideas, our sweat and sanity to mostly total strangers. Why do we do that?

To help humanity, of course. I know, you're saying how can a paranormal romance, or a kid's picture book, for that matter, help mankind?

The answer is simple: they simply do. We writers touch at the heartstrings, offer up hope, love, light in a world that is sometimes dark, dismal, and full of hate. We make folks smile when all they want to do is cry. And sometimes we make them cry too, in a good way. We come into readers' homes, hold their hands on dark, scary nights, and remind them they are not alone. We dip into the past and show them hundreds of possible futures. The world is a beautiful place. Sometimes we just need to see it through other people's eyes. The eyes of a writer.

That's paying it forward. I'd like to hear how authors have touched your lives.

6 comments:

Word Actress said...

I like the idea of paying it forward. I'm always helping newbie writers in the same way other writers encouraged me when I first started out. I've had my fair share of loss in this life and I don't know how I would have gotten through most of it without the words and inspiration from others that may have been down the same sad path. I've always believed we are all more alike than different and that we all have stories to share and tell. Since we're in the business of words, I'd like to share three phrases I've heard recently that resonate with me and I suspect will with all of you. They are 'Ask Yourself What Matters', 'Be Nice' and 'Love It'. They seem to make almost any situation seem, well, just better...Happy Week-End...Mary Kennedy Eastham, Author, 'The Shadow of a Dog I Can't Forget' and the novel-in-progress 'Night Surfing - A Story of Love and Wonder in the Waves of Malibu'

Kimberley Troutte said...

I love you words, Mary. They do make me happier.
And the titles of your books sound interesting too.

Cat Wisdom 101 said...

My mom always said that you catch more flies with honey. Best of luck with your blog! If you'd like, I'd be happy to add yours to my blog roll. I have a new blog as well at www.laylamorganwilde.com. Let me know.

Paulita said...

So many books inspire me. I love finding nuggets of truth inside them that I think are written only for me. I hope people will feel the same way when they read my novels -- when they are eventually published.

Kimberley Troutte said...

Paulita,

Isn't that a great feeling when you read something to truly speaks to you? I'm with you, I honestly hope my words touch readers in some way.

Keep writing, keep reading, everyone.

Kimberley Troutte said...

Layla,
I would love to be added to your blog roll. I need to figure out how to add folks to mine too. Still learning here.
It's a brand new world.