15/03/2020
Just to encourage someone out there today, especially writers and motivational speakers! Please do not underestimate the work that you are doing. I've read a lot of inspirational stories from women, and many a time I hear that voice of being inadequate or some degree of low self esteem because of something that happened to us and left us with scars. Dear writer, whether you are a man or woman writer, you are doing a great job so let the world be the judge of the impact that you've made. At times the world or society does not tell you the impact that you've made, people are not always kind, they will say hurtful things, yet deep down in their hearts they admire your achievements, they admire how you've succeeded against all odds, and even draw inspiration from you. They are probably applying your ideas to their daily life, to help others, to raise their families or even applying your principles at their work place.
What am I saying: when you write or speak, you pour your heart out and feel empty at the end, that is normal because you are giving your all to the world. You drain yourself and feel empty at the end, do not despair, you've done great, at times when you inspire someone, it doesn't seem tangible. People will hear you in your book, listen to your speech and go and think over what you said. You are probably inspiring someone in another part of the world, someone you've never met or seen. At times do not seek approval from those around you, because they might not give it to you. At times 'the prophet is not accepted in his hometown.' Start with the few who accept you. Writer / speaker you've shown a seed and you might not physically see the fruit of what you seeded, but you have made an impact that you are not aware of. Its like a preacher preaching the word of God. They preach and froth week in week out, they might lose their voice trying to convince the congregation. Then at times they make an alter call - noone turns up. They get discouraged, but one thing they know well is that a seed has been sown. People have heard the message, they will think over the word and change their ways. For some they need to hear the word over and over again, until that time they decide to make a turn around. 'Faith comes by hearing....' so the word says.
So when you feel empty and drained and feel you haven't done anything useful, please be not be discouraged, that is exactly how you should feel. You have given to the world, emptied yourself to the world, therefore you feel drained. At times you feel your manuscript or book is not good enough, and at times people will tell us in our face that it's a 'rubbish' story. At times we feel we are inadequate in ourselves. Then we get so scared or embarrassed to publish our books thinking we are not good enough, or our English is not good enough. Writer, books have been translated from one language to the other. Also leave the grammar and spellings to your editor. And in this digital age, the computer will do the first corrections for you. So as writers, let us learn to use today's technology, just get on with it.
So please, let's publish our work, start small if you are afraid to produce that 15 000-word book. 'He or she who never tries never fails'. Collaborate with other writers, mix with like minded people / writers. Write a letter to your local paper as a first. Newspapers are always looking for new writers and new stories. There is always a lot to write about: potholes in your neighbourhood, anti social behaviour, conservation issues, cultural issues, or your cockroach-prone President etc. You are a writer, a speaker, God will work in mysterious ways, if you feel drained, in a week, one or six months, you will feel replenished and ready to give something to the world again. Let's not bash or criticise ourselves, we are doing a good job as writers, we are achievers. The impact is to society and not to us. How many people managed to put pen to paper and come up with something tangible like a book or motivational speech? Let's get on with writing. I for one am waiting for inspiration from other writers, society is rich with stories, please let's get them out, and let's not be afraid to write.
My name is Ruth Pink: I've written a book called 'Being a Woman in Africa.' Get in touch with me if you need a copy ❤
