So far all of the drafts, with many more to come.
I never thought about being a writer, it wasn’t a dream of mine until I realized it was a secret dream that I had yet to discover.
The summer after I graduated college I remained in my college town living in an apartment with my roommate. Most of my friends had post graduation plans while I had no plans except to do what I did every summer; read as many books as possible. That summer was different because I felt inspired to write. Not for anyone but myself. I read a lot of comedic books and wondered if I should venture into comedy. I dreamed of having a blog and hoped that someone would be interested in reading my words.
Months later I decided to return to my hometown. I still had no life plans but the passion of writing remained. I dropped the comedy act and constantly thought of a book I read in college, Life Entrepreneurs by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek. The authors wrote about people who took initiative to become leaders and change their lives and their careers making them entrepreneurs of life. The book inspired me to become a life entrepreneur and encouraged me to want to write about the live’s of others and how they discovered their passions.
I knew I needed to practice my interview skills.
I turned to the first people I always turn to when I have an idea, my parents. I asked if I could interview them. This was a little bit of a touchy subject because originally my mom wanted to write the book on her story and her life.
The first thing out of her mouth was
“You can’t have our story I’m writing a book about it, not you.”
I told her I knew she wanted to write a book and she didn’t need to worry because I had no intentions of stealing her story. I only wanted to practice my interview skills so I could write a book about strangers I had yet to meet.
After that initial day of interviewing I did not continue with that plan.
I still wrote in my spare time, but nothing that I shared with anyone else.
The following summer I went out of town and while I was away my parents spoke their story together. I had no idea it was something they were doing and they didn’t even invite me.
Once I returned they presented me with their ideas. They loved sharing their story and decided it was something they wanted to do. They wanted a life change that would allow them to inspire people. It sounded to me like they wanted to be life entrepreneurs. Knowing they couldn’t write their book alone they asked me to help them. The following week I began to interview them about their lives.
I knew there was a writer somewhere deep inside of me, I just needed her to come out. That was the summer of 2012. Since then I have built this website and I am a better writer. It is a blessing how life works and how God works because the three of us are pursing our dreams, but together.
One day I will write that book where I interview strangers about their passions in life.
For now I will continue to help my parents to pursue their dreams while achieving my own of becoming an author.
I want to encourage any one reading this to pursue their passions, and not to be afraid to ask for help from people who have the tools to help you achieve those goals. I never asked if I could write the book for my mom because I thought it was something she wanted to do. Now it is even more of a blessing because the three of us get to do it together.
How was I going to become a writer, if I didn’t have a story to write?
How were they going to have a book written if they couldn’t write it themselves?
My next encouragement for you is to help me help them purse these passions. Share their story and our website with people you know. Help them make the connections they need to accomplish their goals.
[starbox]
