Today I have been challenged to focus on my belief in myself as a writer. Do I truly believe that I can write and be published?

Without a doubt, I do. Since the day I had my first article published in the New Jersey Bergen County ‘Parent Paper’; since the day I recovered my old, tattered third year (Yr 9) essay (‘First Chapter of a Novel’) – entitled ‘New Beginnings’ – and read Mr Smart’s comment at the end: “You have the makings of a writer, I think”. He was the most inspiring, witty and memorable teacher I ever had. I treasure his words, as they help bolster that belief.

I have been paid to write as a freelancer for a national charity, I have been published numerous times on a Christian webzine. I believe I can do this.

For me the challenge is now: Do I believe in myself as a novelist? As an author?

I’m working on that one. And so I will take up the challenge to get up earlier and simply write. (See http://goinswriter.com/believe/)

Writing is my passion and my purpose. I have pursued other things and also have other talents, but to write is my current calling which I cannot ignore. Words, phrases, stories, ideas, topics of controversy and topics of everyday life, opinions and insights, contemplations and poems: these are the myriad themes I delight to express, whether anyone cares to read or not. This I know, however; each one remains a living legacy of who I am – a writer.

For this reason I will continue to finish the novel that began with a vision and a dream. I will continue the work I have begun, despite the odds against me, choosing to revel in the joy of writing. Thus I join with hundreds of others to declare it once more. I am a writer.