The time I almost gave up on Writing

And this is why I don’t tell many people I’m a creative writer.

I had a teacher back in my freshman year of high school, and during an assignment, I mentioned that I wanted to be an author. I don’t tell most people this because I know most of them won’t take me seriously. I get a lot of, “oh yeah, my kids used to write stories.”

That’s got to be the worst thing you can say to a young writer. Or… That’s what I used to think.

So here I am. Already uncomfortable because I had to give a presentation, and I don’t know if I caught her on an off day, or if she just enjoyed crushing kids’ dreams, but after I sit down she begins a lecture that was really out of nowhere.

I was really angry so I can’t remember all that she said, but it went something like this:

“When I was your age (and she was looking right at me), I never thought I would be doing this. I had dreams and plans to go to college, but it didn’t happen like that. I just want you to know that life doesn’t always go how to want it to. I never thought I would be doing this. Ambitions are great, just as long as you keep in mind things don’t always work out.”

That’s not verbatim, but you get it.

I. Was. CRUSHED.

Now, I’m sure this woman had good intentions trying to prepare us for life. But I was already dealing with doubt. I was discouraged that no one would take me seriously, and I was considering giving up on writing.

With this extra nudge of doubt, I found myself feeling even worse. I tried to picture what I would do if I didn’t pursue a career in writing. I had dreamed of being an author since I was eight years old, there was nothing else I wanted to do.

And then a thought came to me. It had to have been a God thing because I don’t know where this came from.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Read that again. Where there is a WILL, there will be a WAY.

I’ve got plenty of willpower. Determination is my middle name. And I eat losers for breakfast…

I don’t know about you, but when I set my mind on something that is what I’m going to do.

It was an uphill climb to get back to feeling confident in my writing. After that, I didn’t share that I was a writer, but it’s amazing what a little bit of encouragement can do.

I have never felt so confident being a writer as I do now because now I have people who think what I do is awesome! I have received lots of encouragement not only from people in my life but also from some of you! Your congratulations when I finished the first draft of my sci-fi book was so sweet! Thanks to everyone who congratulated or wished me luck.

I was beginning to feel like nobody cared about my passion. My dream of becoming an author, and that really hurts. I can’t even describe the feeling.

But now that I feel more comfortable being a writer, let me just give you a word of advice.

Go prove them wrong!

Thanks a bunch!

— Nerd

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