project inspire // a beautiful encouragement tag-like thing from my friend, Jenna

Hey y’all!

A couple weeks ago, I got a message from a sweet blogger named Jenna. She asked me if I’d like to take part in Project Inspire. I, after reading her description, immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of it.

Is there someone who’s been an inspiring light in your life? Someone who’s never let you quit, even when you desperately wanted to? Or someone who’s been there for you, no matter what?

Chances are, you answered ‘yes.’

And that’s why I want to extend to you an invitation. An invitation to join something called Project Inspire. It’s nothing big or fancy, just a small mission (a blog tag) to inspire, encourage, motivate, and appreciate all those people that have helped you and your writing. 

excerpt from Jenna’s email

And so, here is Project Inspire! (Thank you, once again, Jenna! ❤ )

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The rules:

1. Thank and link back to who’s blog you first saw the tag on; link back to the creator of the tag.

2. Answer the questions given (when you mention a person in your answers, link to their blog/website if they have one)

3. Include 5 of the biggest things you’ve learned about writing, and how they’ve changed you.

4. Don’t tag anybody.  We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to take part in this. So at the end of your post, leave the open invitation to any of your readers that wants to do the tag.

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01. Who’s someone who’s inspired and motivated you to pursue writing?

Honestly, Jaquelle Crowe (now Ferris!! she just got married and I’m over-the-top excited for her.) She is the co-founder of my writing community and I own her book. I don’t think we have actually had a one-on-one conversation more than once, but seeing her around the community, leading and encouraging the students, reading her book, listening to the Age of Minority podcast; it makes me feel like I know her. She has been such a role model for me, both in normal life and in author-world (is that a thing? idk). I look up to her a whole bunch.

*heart eyes* *hands her halo top ice cream*

02. Who encouraged you when you felt like giving up?

Ugh, this is gonna sound super cliche, but it’s true. My parents and my best friend have both been my constant go to sources of encouragement. When I need a hug because of that one pesky plot point, I go to my mom and she’ll tell me to go drink some tea (A+ advice, btw. My mom is probably the wisest people I know.) When I need to scream about how much I simultaneously hate and love being a writer (it’s a real struggle, guys), I go to my best friend. What’s great about her is that she listens very well and is like “it sounds like you feel like ____, how about you do this?” and it’s very calming. I love them both very much.

03. Was there a person (or even a blog post) that came at just the right time to give you the boost or motivation when you needed it?

Yes! I ran into my sweet friend, Abigail, right after I moved to the south, and it was just what I needed to get myself back into the rhythm of things. Reading her beautifully written posts gradually began to remind my brain that “hey yeah we do the wording too”. She also has saved my sorry little butt a couple times by guest posting! (eternally grateful, dear!)

*smuffle hugs*

04. Who’s always been there for you, through thick and thin with your writing?

Oh dear, are we going to get sentimental? Honestly, once again, (surprise, surprise!) it would have to be my best friend. She’s kinda the best, man. 😀 But I can’t talk about constant support without mentioning my super sweet buddies and pals on YWW. I love you, adorkable and quirky family. ❤

05. Who’s helped you make your writing better, wasn’t afraid to give you honest feedback, and helped improve your craft?

Oooh. Hmm. Well, lots of people, really. But I think the main few would have to be my YWW buddies, Olivia and Olivia. (I swear I didn’t realize you were both named Olivia until I wrote this oh my gosh that’s hilarious.) They have both stepped up and read articles and little snippets and given feedback in the most friendly, nurturing manners. I love em.

*hands you cookies*

06. Who’s given you doses of healthy laughter that brightens your day and brings a smile to your face?

Sarah. Hands down. Guys, please go read her stuff. As a fellow sarcastic person, I adore her writing style. She’s also really witty and honestly, that is one of my favorite things.

*slides her a couple elvish blades of various shapes and sizes*

07. What’s your favorite inspirational quote?

Don’t give up. Push through droughts. Channel the inevitable disappointments into your craft. Break molds. Think. Create. And most importantly, stay alive. And in the meantime, make it about others. That seems to work. Stay strong, live on; power to the local dreamer.

Tyler Joseph

Or this one XD

Write what you know, so they say, all I know is I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE OR THE RIGHT WAY TO WRITE IT. This is big, lady, don’t screw it up. This is not some vaudeville I’m reviewing.

Katherine Plumber, DISNEY’S Newsies

08. Is there someone you just want to take a moment to thank, for anything?

I want to thank you guys, really. You have been a constant support group of sorts, and I would not be where I am today without you.

Enough sentimentality.

I would also like to thank pizza for existing. I love you.

09. What author and/or book inspired you to write better stories and motivate you to strive to give your message to the world?

Oof. So many stories exist and so many have inspired me. A few I can mention off the top of my head:

• John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series
• Mistborn by Branden Sanderson
• The Viking Quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson
• The Freedom Seekers series also by L.W.F ^
• Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
• A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle

the list is very lengthy, y’all. it does not stop there. *sigh*

10. What piece of advice do you want to give to other young writers?

The main thing I would say is this: don’t do it alone.

It is so hard to stay motivated/inspired/focused when you don’t have anyone keeping you accountable or checking on your well-being.

Trust me, we all need writing buddies. They make our lives so much easier and hey! You can make some online friends on the way!

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The five big things I have learned…

1. Take care of your inner muse. Listen to music, read books, sketch things, sit in silence and drink tea, all of these are ways you can refill your creativity.
2. Don’t expect everything that you write to be like J.R.R Tolkien or any other classic author on the first try. This one is pretty self explanatory. If you set your standards unachievably high, you are just setting yourself up for pain. (this is not learned from experience. XD )
3. Sometimes you need to write crap. that’s about it.
4. When your brain says break, you take a break. Don’t overdo it. Please don’t. It doesn’t make anything better.
5. Allow yourself to think outside of the box. Sometimes your best ideas are the ones you never thought you would have.

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Well, thank you once again for spending this time with me! I hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to hop on over to Jenna’s blog as well!!

Now go forth, mis amigos and amigas, and smile. Your day is just beginning. Make the best of it. Don’t procrastinate. Work hard. Make me proud. 🙂

Love you all,

Madeleine ❤