by Reba J Hoffman, Ph.D
As many of you know, I was
in Illinois on the Road to Freedom Tour on my bicycle when I tore a ligament in
my knee. An MRI revealed a full tear of the medial collateral ligament (the
inner supporting ligament).
I was told by experts that
my tour was over. My heart told me something else. So I began brainstorming
ways I could keep the Road to Freedom going in a way other than the bike.
I packed up Dakota (my
custom built Waterford touring bike), and shipped it to Florida. I flew to
Florida after attending the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference(ACFW) in Indianapolis.
Something very interesting
happened. My knee stopped hurting. It stopped aching. When I removed the
brace, it felt vulnerable, but not injured. So, I decided to test it. I began
walking everywhere I went. Ten miles to the store. Fifteen miles to church.
I didn’t have even a twinge
of pain. So, I did the unthinkable. I hitched a ride to the friend who was
storing my bike, took it out of the box and reassembled it, then rode it forty
miles home.
Guess what happened?
Nothing. I've ridden completely pain free since then. I took a five-day mini-tour to
central Florida. One day I wound up riding 97 straight miles, fully
loaded with fifty pounds of gear.
In two days, I’ll resume the
Road to Freedom Tour… ON MY BIKE.
So why am I telling you
this? Because in your writing career, you MUST know it’s not over ‘til you say
it is! You decide!
Has your critique partner
told you to find a new hobby? Get a new one (critique partner, that is).
Did the editor you met with
at a writer’s conference tell you their third grader strings words together
better? Even if it’s true, commit to maturing in your craft.
Can you wallpaper your walls
with rejection letters? Okay, why not do that? It will make quite the
conversation piece when you’re a New York Times Bestselling Author!
The point is, they don’t
decide when your writing tour ends. Only YOU do. They can’t tell you to stop.
They might spout the words, but it’s you who gives them power in your life.
I think of all the women I
would not be able to help if the Road to Freedom Tour ended. It would be
tragic. Almost as tragic if those books you have inside you don’t get written
because you let someone else decide your writing career was over.
You decide!
Has someone—or a circumstance—made you think your
writing career is over? What did you do about it? Share it here!
Reba J. Hoffman is the founder and president of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is a natural encourager. She serves as Member Care Coach for My Book Therapy and is the author of Dare to Dream, A Writer’s Journal. You can connect with Reba through her motivational blog, Finding True North, or by email at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @MagellanCoach.
Reba,
ReplyDeleteGod has given you a gift, and you have shared it with us. May God richly bless you!
Thank you, Lori. God indeed blesses us richly!
DeleteI started writing a novel 15 years ago and set it aside repeatedly until I recently finished it. If I do not sell one book, it won't matter because in researching the materials, I discovered a simple philosophy of life that has been in existence for over 3000 years that is still applicable today. The world would be a better place if our world leaders would lead with this same simple philosophy.for the meaning of life. As a Lily Among Thorns by Rudy U Martinka.
ReplyDeleteLife really can be simple. Simple goals. Simple days, with God leading us each step of the way. Thanks for sharing Scatterwisdom
DeleteYou are amazing!! God is amazingER!
ReplyDeleteI love that the experts told you it was over. God probably laughed at that and waved His hand and said "Watch my Reba, you're all going to eat your words. Or her dust. Whichever comes first."
You inspire me, Reba!! You just blessed the socks off my entire day!!
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you as you continue your journey... :)
Bless you Reba, I love your spirit and encouragement. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that! I agree with Jennifer (us redheads have to stick together), you are amazing! Godspeed and protect your journeys. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for continuing to share your journey and your tenacity, Reba. I choose a quote a month to keep me going. November's just might be, "I decide."
ReplyDeleteThanks for these words. You are an inspiration. I have heard so much about the storycrafters retreat, and am so much looking forward to it. My book therapy team really helps boost me up when I am sitting at my computer and nothing is coming out of this brain! May God continue to bless you on this journey. Safe travels
ReplyDelete