As a writer you hope that your words aren’t just read, the information assimilated, and then the message simply forgotten or discarded.

You hope that at the very least in some small way it evokes some sort of emotional response- be it a smile, a laugh, or even anger.

If you’re very lucky someone will be moved enough to comment. That’s why when I first started publishing books in 2007 I printed and kept my first ever hate mail. I was so proud! Some teenage yahoo actually took the time to repeatedly send me insulting and derogatory messages on MySpace. I made it! :p After all, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.

Seriously, though, I am very proud when a professional, such as a reviewer or other figure in the publishing business, says a kind word of encouragement or gives kudos to something I’ve written; but I am humbled and beside myself when another writer or reader is moved by what I have to share with the world. Hearing from your peers is so personal, so enjoyable. It makes all the struggle worthwhile.

The truly rewarding moments for me occur when I find that my words touched somebody’s soul; that I didn’t just provide some small measure of enjoyment to someone’s day, I actually made a difference in their life.

I recently ate my own words and decided to join LinkedIn. I know I said I wouldn’t bother with yet another social networking platform, but on a friend’s encouragement I did so. She told me it was all professional networking and once I got the hang of it I came to see it as somewhere in the land between Twitter and Facebook, but for professionals to connect with each other to learn, share, and discuss. No Angry Birds or silly poking. *Whew*

I joined a group on LinkedIn called Poetic Asides, which is actually a side arm and regular feature of Writers Digest. It seemed like the perfect place to showcase my poetry and expand my readership. Truth be told I’ve been thoroughly enjoying reading everyone’s content more than sharing my own. There’s some amazing stuff there.

One such posting I started was for “Take Me as I am” from my 2010 book Under a Sunlit Sky. It’s been “liked” a few times and the comments have kept me blushing with pride ever since they started rolling in. Here’s a collection of them:

• Wow! That’s a great poem! ~ Yasha Jones

• Very enjoyable poem. ~ Janice N. Richards

• Love your poem! It is beautifully written and flowed perfectly.~ Sarah Douglas, G.C.D.F.

  • Very good. Wish we all take people as they are. ~  Julia Clark

• Very, very nice. Keep posting. ~ Madeline Sharples

  • Lovely poem and so very true it would be so good if everyone would do that. ~ Julie

• What a beautiful poem! It picked my spirits up at a time of deep distress. Thank you so much for posting it. ~ Audrey Roth

  • I really enjoyed “Take Me As I Am”. It’s true. We need to dig deep inside and realize our wonderful potential. For those with low self esteem, please read this poem! It has your name written all over it. If you take me as I am you will encourage me to invest who I am into who I will become into a mature legacy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts R. Wolf. ~ Diane Frye

Those last two have me all flustered with pride. To know that what, for me, was but a few minutes of doodling on a word pro, could actually help someone feel a little less alone in the world; that my words could actually help someone’s healing process. Brings a tear to my eye, actually.

To me that was more rewarding than selling 10 copies of my book. It was food for my soul. When I read each commentary, for a few brief metaphysical moments two souls in two distant corners of the world were connected on a level that was special and unique.

I can not thank these kind people enough for their comments and I can only hope that we share many more moments such as this in the future.

 

© 2011 R. Wolf Baldassarro/Deep Forest Productions