LDStorymakers and Encouraging Authors

This last weekend, I attended LDStorymakers, a conference in Provo, UT. It's centered heavily toward LDS writers of all levels, from the New York Times bestsellers like Brandon Sanderson or Dan Wells to the unpublished hopeful writers with their first manuscripts in hand. This is my second time going to this conference representing the publishing company I work for. Even though my face feels like it's going to fall off from too much smiling by the end of it, I love every minute of talking to authors and seeing their expressions light up with passion as they talk about their works in progress.

At least 12 hours is better than smiling as often as Barbie does.

One of those authors stopped by to talk to me. I recognized her from the same conference last year. There, she had approached me with her query to see if her book was something my company might like to pick up. I had just been told by my editorial board to avoid memoirs or other personal nonfiction, so I had to tell her no. However, I did not leave it at that. I felt that her story was an important one that many people in my area might want to hear, and I let her know not to give up.
This author told me that because of what I had said a year ago, she had kept pushing, and her book--exponentially improved--was going to be pitched to an agent for consideration. That agent, should it work out, will find the right market for the book where my company could not take a memoir.
Of all the things I learned at LDStorymakers, I think what has stuck with me most is that an opinion does matter, especially to an author. I know that in my capacity as an editor, my opinion and my word is taken with rather more weight, so I must watch everything I say and convey. This, however, applies to everyone with whom an author takes the risky chance to share their work.
There are stories of bestselling authors, composers, playwrights, musicians, and so on who were told to quit, burn their manuscript, get a real job. They didn't listen, and went on to change the world.
Think, though, how many other authors may have stepped out to change the world if the criticism had been tempered with encouragement. How many of them gave up, hid their manuscript in a dresser drawer, and sat behind a desk?
This is not to say that criticism or some harshness does not have its place. I'm an editor, for goodness' sake. Sometimes my job is to criticize, or be harsh. But I am always aware of my impact I may have an author's dreams, whether I'm sending an acceptance or a rejection letter.
Encourage, rather than disparage. Yes, even if the writing sucks. Frankly, we all sucked once at writing. We improved, or will do in time, if we are just given the chance.