The Hero of Your Story

A few years back, I decided I would make my living as a writer and would teach a ‘How to Write Fiction’ class at a local community center. It was an awesome experience but I never expected a lesson about being the hero of your story.

I have spread my dreams beneath your feet.
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

~W.B. Yeats

I prepared an introduction to myself and the course, a syllabus, ten lessons, in-class and at home exercises for each lesson, and reading assignments.  Once the lessons were written, I rehearsed and rehearsed. Finally, I was ready!

Finally, the day arrived. Eight students, ranging from a high schooler to a gray-haired woman of undetermined age, waited for me. I took a deep breath and stepped in front of the class. I welcomed them to the class, introduced myself by name and declared “I am a professional writer.” A hand raised.  A question already?

First Question

“When did you start calling yourself a professional writer?” the student asked. Intellectually, I had prepared an answer to that question, but emotionally prepared? Not so much. I couldn’t even admit to myself that I had just said it for the first time. Instead, I answered with the information I’d prepared, that I had been a professional writer since I began writing with the intent to sell what I wrote.  I think I even quoted the definition of professional to the class.

I was being truthful. My answer fit the definition of professional and my approach to writing fiction.  But, as truthful as that answer was, I had never believed it enough to say it aloud until that night.  Still, the answer seemed to satisfy the questioner.  And despite my anxiety, I got through the rest of that evening.

Fact is, I had nearly 100% attendance for all ten classes. I ended up teaching in that community center for a couple of years.  My classes grew in size and I taught my students skills they could use to improve their writing.  I know I learned a lot.

Life Happens

I made other things a priority while my writing took a backseat to the traumas and banalities of life.

I’ve had to relearn the most important lesson I learned when teaching at that community center course: how to stand up and be who I am.

Watching the Olympics this week I am awed by the dreams we are watching. The athletes proclaim their dream with every trial, every race, every practice. Many of them are fortunate enough to have the support of their loved ones.  But most of all, they NEVER let go of their dreams.  To my mind, each Olympic athlete is a hero of his or her story.

Be the Hero of Your Story

Everyone has a dream. Maybe your dream is to be an Olympic athlete, a writer, a chef, or a plumber. No matter what the dream is, sometimes it is hard to hang onto your dream.  You may have a hard time believing in yourself. Your parents or your partner may be the person who belittles your dream.  It could be they call your dream cute, or a hobby, or your ‘little’ stories.  You excuse them because it’s not really _bad_ stuff they’re saying. Yes. It.  Is.  Stop the negative energy.

Believe in yourself.  Believe in your dream. Make it a mantra: Mine is “I am a writer.” Repeat it as many times a day as you need it. Declare it. Own it. Be your own champion.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Live the life you have imagined.

~Henry David Thoreau

Won’t you take a moment to share your story with me and my readers? Who or what challenges your belief in yourself? Tell us about your dream. Shout it out. We’ll cheer you onward as the hero of your own story.

10 comments

  1. I love to watch the olympics–or anything that is about people living out their dreams (including your story here). So inspiring! My dream has always been to write–and I feel very lucky that I’m doing that 🙂
    Thanks Lynette!

  2. Fantastic and inspiring post! I love the analogy that an Olympic athlete is the hero of his or her own story. Awesome!

    My dream since I was little was to be a well known writer. A writer with readers asking about when the next book is coming out. Some day I will sit at a table for a book signing with a line stretched in front of me. Even now in the age of e-books, I will make this happen if I have to print all those paper-books myself. LOL!

  3. Writing has been my dream since I was a little kid, too. But I never really admitted it to others until I sent out my first query – to Harlequin – and got a request for a full (and a few months later, a rejection). But even though I sold to an epublisher ten years ago, it took awhile to call myself a pro. Thanks for an inspiring post!

    1. Do you realize how big of a deal it was to get a request for a full from Harlequin with your very first query?!!! You are a professional writer, Jennette. Way to go. Keep up the great work.

  4. Great post!

    I always wanted to be a writer, but real life got in the way. Then I made out a list of the five things I wanted to do before I died and number one was write a romance. It came as quite a shock to be honest because the dream was buried deep within my psyche. Four years later – woo hoo!

    We’re loving the Olympics happening in our country and talent, hard work, commitment and perseverance of the competitors are truly inspiring. A bit like becoming a writer!

    1. Woo Hoo is right! Way to pursue your dream, Christine.

      Well, I have to say that I think the Brits have done the Olympics proud. I’m enjoying watching the dreams being realized.

  5. Beautiful post, Lynette. We need to be the heroes of our own lives. Facing our fears and insecurities is tough but so worth it. That way there won’t be regrets and bitterness later in the life.

    1. You are so right, Reetta. Facing our fears and insecurities is difficult but absolutely necessary. Otherwise there may be regrets and bitterness. One of my favorite quotes about facing fear comes, from all things the Disney movie, Princess Diary:

      “Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.”

      Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Reetta.

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