I love to talk to new writers and encourage them. Their Pixie Dust is intoxicating and helps rekindle the excitement for the writing process.

I love the thought of writer pixie dust!

Yes, Brinda. Thanks so much for letting me hop over here today. I love your blog. It's cozy and warm and colorful. I may not leave :)

I love to write and I love to share what I've learned along the way with others. Sharing knowledge is a big thing for me. I also get a huge kick out of promoting debut YA authors and reviewing YA books. Can you tell I like YA??? I'm also rather fond of the little pixie muse that sits under my desk, that is until she starts whacking me with her wand to get me motivated to write. :)

I recently go another friend hooked on YA after I recommended The Hunger Games and Delirium. We are taking over. :)

Emily- That is SO true.

Such an uplift reading your column today. On two levels. I spent 25 years as a teacher so have silently ground my teeth on many the occasion of hearing that old saw. And second, my post yesterday talked about the issue of helping, specifically about critiquing and the importance of being positive. I quite enjoyed your thoughts, Lori!

Hi Lynda, There are so many who have helped me as well.

Lori, it is an old expression, but it holds true. The circle is complete when the teacher becomes the student. When we teach others, we also become students. Also ... in one RWA chapter their slogan begins ... one hand reaching forward, one reaching back, to complete the circle. Thank you Brinda for introducing us to Lori :)

I like that slogan a lot!

Christine- Those are some lucky mentees. :)

I used to organize and co host prose and poetry readings with another local author (so handy that he had his own coffee bar) but abandoned that due to time and distance. I miss that part of the life, mostly because I would often encounter new writers.
I still go to readings, new writer's enthusiasm is contagious and inspiring on those days I forget the joy in what I do.

That sounds fun. Coffee and writing and poetry. Heaven.

Isis- I think there are different ways of giving back and judging writers' contests fall into that category of helping others.

Lori: Earlier today I read a similar article that did not refer to writing. The author stated you should surround yourself with three different kinds of people. A person who knows more than you, a mentor; one who knows less, a student; and one at your level, someone you can bounce things off of and relate to. I've always been a believer in teaching others. It cememts the knowledge into your brain, and allows you to approach the knowledge in different ways as you explain it to different people. (Not everyone understands things presented the same way.) Great article

The magic four! I love that. Everyone has a different perspective and different skills to share.

I love meeting with my fellow RWA writers monthly. I owe a lot to the giving nature of our writers.

Emily--it works out so well for both people that way.
Elaine--thank you!
Lynda--I'll be you'd be surprised at what you have to share!
Mary--I love it when my crit partners take classes. Then we all have so much new info to share!

I agree!

I love to share things with writers online, in my critique group, and at conferences. In the classroom, I enjoy teaching writing and seeing the improvement from the beginning to the end of the school year. I also learn things along the way. Sharing and critiquing makes me a better writer.

What's a social life???? Oh yeah, I used to have one of those. Now I live in imaginary worlds. With hot guys...and hot cars. <sigh> Jealous?

Hi Lori and Brinda-- Great post. I've always loved to teach and share with others. I learn so much more that way! These days i find myself being a teacher and mentor on author promotion and i love it because i have to clarify my own ideas in order to teach them. Thank you both for all you teach me. : )

You brought tears to my eyes :) Don't know what I'd do without you, DiAne.