I think you'll all agree with me that Daniel has given us a very thought provoking piece today.
So I'll keep schtum and let him tell us about one of his Defining Moments:
Defining Moments
The blog prompt I choose for today was "what event in your childhood had the biggest impact on your writing career." Now, if you know anything about me at all, you know my childhood wasn't flowers and rainbows. My childhood was dark and painful. So, I struggled with the topic, and almost abandoned it. Until I remembered this:
::in Estelle Getty voice:: Picture it - Central Florida, 1993. The weather is sunny, the sky is filled with seagulls, I'm fifteen years old and have just written a poetic masterpiece about the POWs left behind in Vietnam. I take the poem to my father and read it. Dad mostly ignores me, asks if it's about Star Trek, and then laughs me and my poem off. "Go do something useful and clean your room or study for your history test." I argue that my poem is useful, and he counters with "you're never going anywhere with writing."
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Hey, Danny? That's not a fun memory. It's not even inspiring or uplifting." And I'm almost willing to agree with you.
Consider what happened next: I snatched my poem away and stomped off to my room.
But I did something else as well. I got angry.
I can clearly remember clutching that crumpled up poem in my little hand and swearing I'd prove my father wrong. I remember biting back tears and snarling at my wall, "What does he know? Nothing! That's what! I'll be a writer! I'll show him!!!"
That fire kept me pushing and pushing, kept me reaching toward that goal of publication. It kept me trying when the stack of rejection letters kept growing and growing. And it got me to where I am today.
Every time I submit a story, I think about that poem. Every time I sign a contract for a new story, I think about that poem. And every time I open up a new Word document and type the first few lines of a new story, I smile.
Because I did it - I proved him wrong. :-)
My Links:
Join me next week when on the sofa - or in the garden - depending on the weather, will be Patricia Logan to promote her new release, Captive Lover, released on the 15 August 2011.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us Daniel. I for one applaud you for not giving up your dream and for proving him wrong and becoming the fantastic writer that you are.
ReplyDeletexxx
Hey Daniel:
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you didn't give up. So many of us do. But if it's what you're meant to be, you will do so no matter what. Big hugs! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful article Daniel. I am so glad you didn't give up and persevered. Hugs hun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me, Lisa! And thanks for your kind words :-)
ReplyDeleteJohnny - Thanks! And yes, I feel the same. There's a country song, "Shes In Love With the Boy" that has a line in it: "What's meant to be will always find a way."
Dawn - Thanks very much! :-) ::hugs back::
In my case, my mom was the one who said I'd never make it as a writer. I gave up for years until I realized that only I had the power to follow my dreams. Signed 3 contracts this year alone, and more to follow. It's why I always encourage my kids to follow their hearts b/c anyone can do anything they set their mind to! Good for you for not giving up!
ReplyDeleteThats awesome Daniel!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya there! We always want to hide our faces and grumble when we get a rejection but the benefits of getting the yes make it worth all the agony.
great post
Kellie - I'm glad you stuck with it, too! None of my family was supportive, but my father was by far the most outspoken in his disapproval. A lot of my young childhood was spent trying to prove him wrong!
ReplyDeleteRawiya - Yes, success definitely makes the struggle worth it!
Daniel, it takes a person of tremendous character and inner strength to defy a parent at that age. I congratulate and admire you. I had a similar experience with my own father. Not about writing, but another matter and the day I stood up to him was a life-changing event. I'm glad you're soaring. I hope you frame that poem and keep it someplace you'll see often.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Daniel. Moments like that define who we are, and you defintely passed the test.
ReplyDeleteMargie - Thanks so much! I'm glad you found a way to stand up for yourself, too. I think that's the day I really started living. And you know...I'd never thought of framing it. I should! :-)
ReplyDeleteDA - Thank you very much! :-)