Pass It On

Inadequacy surrounds me, whispering in my ear, “You’re not good enough.” And yet, I have several friends who come to me, asking questions and advice, and soaking up what I tell them. Why? Because I have had two books published, and they’re still in the process of finishing their first manuscript. Despite what I might think about my level of knowledge, I’ve still gained more than they have so far.

Thanks to a friend who is an amazing editor, who saw the potential in my manuscript and took me under her wing, not only correcting mistakes, but explaining along the way so that I could learn from them and no longer commit those errors again and again, I learned. I’m still doubting myself as I apply what she taught me, but the more I write and edit, the more I trust my instincts. Does that mean I’m ready to pass on my recently honed skills?

I’m getting there.

And the more my friends show their appreciation of the tidbits I share with them, the tips I point out in their own writings, and the articles I pass on when I know it’s something they’re struggling with, the more I trust myself to be able to do this.

Not everyone has the same skills. And not everyone with the same skills has the same level of those abilities. But we all know how to do something better than someone else. You might be better at catching comma splices, while I am getting better at catching head hopping (jumping between POVs with no warning). As I read for pleasure, my brain never completely puts down the editing glasses, and I almost always catch at least a little mistake in other books now, too.

My point is, even if you don’t know everything, you always know something you can share. Find that something and pass it on. It not only encourages the one you shared it with, it also boosts your knowledge level even more.

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Amy R Anguish, author of An Unexpected Legacy, grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Check out her new book, Faith & Hope, available now.

Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor