When I was a senior in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. My family was living in a public housing project, and college was not in my immediate future.
One night I watched an episode of The Flying Nun, and when the show was over the credits rolled by across the television screen. I noticed the episode had been dedicated to one of the writers from the show. “Writer,” I thought. “Sounds like a noble profession. I wonder if I could be a writer?”
Right then and there I prayed and asked God to please make me a writer. I remember promising to honor Him and to do a good job. As soon as I finished praying, I suddenly felt inspired to write my own episode of The Flying Nun. I tore out a few sheets of paper from a marble copybook and proceeded to type out a script using an old Royal typewriter that had a few bent keys. Eight pages later my first attempt at professional writing was finished and I was very pleased with what I had created.
The next day I showed the story to my English teacher, asked him if he would read it overnight, and to let me know what he thought the next day. He agreed. The next day seemed like the longest day ever. Even longer than Christmas Eve Day when you are a child, but eventually, it was time to get the feedback that I had requested. My hopes were high and I was excited!
Seconds later, however, my dream of being a writer was shattered when, as I entered his office, he stood up and tossed my script across the desk to me. He said it was the, “worst thing he had ever read,” and that I should seriously consider taking a job as a manual laborer. “If your writing has no purpose, there is no purpose in your writing!” he shouted as he left the room.
Right then and there I vowed to one day see my name on multiple book covers and to travel around the country encouraging people to follow their dreams of becoming published. To date, I have written and published 35 of my own books and worked as a ghostwriter on over two dozen projects. For nearly 15 years, I was a regular workshop leader and keynote speaker at Christian and secular writing conferences across the United States.
If you have a dream, never let anyone else decide that you shouldn’t pursue it. Walt Disney said, If you can dream it, you can do it!.
John Riddle is an author of 34 books (for traditional publishers), His byline has appeared in major publications all across the U.S., and he has written articles for over 200 Websites. Since 1996 he has been working out of his home office in Delaware as a full-time freelance writer. For nearly 15 years he taught at Christian and secular writing conferences throughout the United States. You can visit his Amazon Author Page at this link:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-riddle-753566149/
www.amazon.com/John-Riddle/e/B001JOYNXG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
