The Beauty of a “Good News” Buddy

When I sold my first story to Chicken Soup for the Soul, I was excited on many levels. I sold my first story! I received a check for $200. It was in a real book in real stores where real people could buy it. I was shopping with a relative and went into a bookstore. There it was. My book. Or at least the book that had my story in it. I pulled the book from the shelf and flipped to the page with my byline.

After she read it, she walked over to the register and handed the book to the clerk. “Can you put this back up on the shelf?”

“That’s really nice,” she said to me and we exited the store.

The person with me was my mom.

Now I’m not telling you this story to make you feel sorry for me. I have a really great mom. She’s wonderful in a thousand different ways, but she didn’t understand how long it took for the acceptance. She didn’t realize that I had waited for nearly a year to see it in print. She didn’t know that the $200 check was my first real paycheck as a writer.

It was nice to her. Not just nice, but really nice.

In today’s Tuesday Tip we discuss why it’s important to find a “Good News” buddy and what that looks like.

Why it’s important

Writing pays off in several ways, but payment can be a long time coming (or meager in the beginning) so those who view success in dollars may not get it. But those who understand the eternal value of reaching 150,000 people with an article do. A “Good News” buddy can keep you grounded and excited about this call of writing!

What does a “Good News” buddy look like?

You have a slew of friends right here at COMPEL. When you receive your first acceptance or your twenty-seventh, we are excited with you.

However, in addition to COMPEL, it’s fun to have a “Good News” buddy in your everyday life. That might be a spouse, a good friend, or a writing friend who lives in the area. While I have a lot of amazing people who cheer me on, my designated brag buddy is my adult son. He delights in hearing good news, whether that is an acceptance or an email from someone who reconnected with Jesus after reading one of my books.

Having a designated “Good News” buddy allows me to share my good news and move on. If someone else doesn’t understand or their eyes start to glaze over as I talk about blogging or selling an article to a small denominational magazine, that’s okay. I can appreciate the other qualities they bring to our relationship and not stress when they aren’t as excited as I wish they were.

Have a “Good News” buddy; be a “Good News” buddy

When my friend Jennifer called to say her four-year journey to publishing was a reality, I cheered with her. I knew the tenacity it took to stick it through finding an agent, writing a proposal, working through two years of revisions, and receiving rejections.

This was something I had prayed about with her. This was a dream that, at times, seemed like an impossible dream. All she needed in that moment was for a friend to say, “Great job, Jen. You hung in there and this is the result.”

We not only need a “Good News” buddy, we have the opportunity to be one to others. In a ministry and career where successes are often small, we understand that it’s always exciting to achieve a dream one small step at a time.

Your Turn

We realize this is an unusual Tuesday Tip, but some of you may feel that you’re flying solo. We care about that. As a COMPEL Member, your assignment is to get involved in COMPEL Community groups. You are invited to join the Confetti Friday community group where we celebrate good news each Friday! Not a COMPEL Member? Join to become a part of our vibrant online community!