“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.”
—Beatrix Potter

Many of us feel the nudge to write, but excuses hold us back. I fell into that category until I was challenged to begin.

In 1996, my husband said to me, “Stop telling me someday you’re going to write a book. Do it now. Quit your job. I give you one year to get anything published.” My youngest son was a senior in high school. Was I too old to begin a new career? I’d felt the urge to write for the past five years, but I was afraid to get started. Afraid of failure. Afraid I was too old to begin a new career. Where would I begin?

I wanted to write. I could taste the words.

“I believe in you,” he said.

Those words touched me. I accepted the challenge and devised a plan to work smart and effectively. I approached my writing goals like a full-time job. If I wanted to reach the ultimate goal of publication, I’d have to soar to the top of the slush piles. I organized my days into writing, studying how-to books, and reading in my genre. I researched writing conferences—the ones that would teach me the most and provide exposure to agents, editors, and other writers. I started a writer’s critique group that met for over ten years.

During that first year, I wrote devotions, articles, a short story, and a historical novel. Sure, I received rejections along with acceptances, but I never returned to my old job. In 1998, my first novel released. Oh, the excitement of tearing into the box of author copies! The cover . . . the book’s name . . . my name. A dream come true.

That was more than ninety books ago. But don’t think it’s been easy. Every novel is a little tougher to write. The characterization must be deeper. The plot’s twists and turns more unexpected. The setting more intense. The dialogue and emotion must resemble a sword fight. My nonfiction books? Like clawing my way up a cliff.

Techniques and tools of the craft weren’t immediately dropped into my brain. I experienced lots of deletes and rewrites—still do! Writing is about hard work and sacrifice.

And my sweet husband who challenged me to write? He’s still my biggest cheerleader—and my nightmare editor. His encouragement allowed him to work alongside me full-time. He must have seen something in me that I missed.

The older we get, the more wisdom is packed into our heads. We may need to organize our time to reach our goals. What are our priorities?

“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.”
—Stephen King

What is holding you back from reaching your goals? Be courageous and toss off those shackles. Now is the time to pursue your writing dreams. I believe in you, and I challenge you to begin.