It’s not easy. Nothing about life is easy in any way. And just as we’re different in all ramifications, so are our needs. For many of us, our problems are money-related. But then, there are those whose problems are health-wise, some have to do with their families… in the end, we don’t get to choose the cross life gives us. We carry it, whether we like it or not.
This is why being a helper and a kind person is not limited to how much you’ve got in your bank account. Not everyone needs money, some people just need your time, and some people need your company or your advice. And then, there are those who need your skill. So, whatever it is you have to offer, if you can do it to make someone happy, then by all means, do it!
Of the good deeds I’ve done during this holiday, I’m not going to talk about financial assistance. Instead, I’ll talk about people I’ve helped out in other ways. And these are people who are writers or want to be writers. I’ve been approached many times by people because even though they have beautiful ideas in their heads, they have no clue about how they can put them down.
And for me, being a certified Book Project Consultant, it’s my job to help out people like this. Working hand-in-hand with them, I help them plan out the book from start to finish. That way, they will know everything they need to write even before they put down the first word. It also helps because it prevents writer's block from impeding their writing.
Some time at the start of this month, I was approached by someone who really wanted to write an epic fantasy. However, she was having serious issues with self-esteem and even when she made up her mind to write, she just didn’t know where to start.
I had to first of all get rid of the mindset that she was not good enough, or her story was not worthy of being written. Because no matter what I did later on, if this particular one was not treated, then every other thing would be for nothing. So, I continued chatting with her. Even before we started working on her actual story, I had her write a few flash fiction just to let her know that she had what it took.
After all that, we were finally able to start working on her story idea. She’s just an armature writer, so her idea was all over the place. But she has talent and is determined to get the job done. I helped her outline the story and get it in order, making sure that she followed the right sequence of events so there wouldn’t be plot holes.
So far, I’ve been able to outline up to 20 chapters already and the story is almost over. She’s still not sure how she wants it to end and that’s what’s stomping me. However, she has started writing and so far, she’s five chapters in (I think, not sure right now). I’m thinking of not pressuring her to figure out the end, it’s possible that as the story progresses, she can come to the conclusion on her own and won’t need my help on that one.
I actually hope that’s the case because it would make me happy. It would mean that my work with her was successful. For now, I’m looking forward to seeing her write her first full-length novel and I’m certain she has what it takes to make it work.
Honestly, I didn’t plan this. I didn’t plan to help her at all. I charge for things like this, because it takes time and energy to consult, so I always charge. But I guess the season must have gotten to me. As we spoke, I decided to help her out and today she’s writing way better than she was a month ago. That’s a win for me.
So, like I said earlier, charity does not always have to be money. You can use what you have to help out those in need, one simple act from you could set one person on the right path for life. But you would never know because you never tried it. Don’t wait until you have all the money in the world because you will never have all the money in the world.
If you see yourself in a position to help, try to help. It’ll come back to you in one way or the other. Never forget that.
