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My Writing Journey

As a child, I wasn’t particularly fond of reading. However, things changed during my first year of high school. My friends were excited about a new movie, Carrie, by Stephen King. One of them asked if I had read the book. I hadn’t, so they gave me a copy to read before the movie came to town.

I took the book home, read it in my spare time, and quickly fell in love with the author’s writing style. I was captivated by the vivid details and loved how I could imagine the story unfolding in my mind.

When I finished Carrie, I knew I wanted to tell stories. I began keeping journals and writing short stories, though it was a secret I kept to myself. The process was more challenging than expected, but I continued writing throughout high school.

Life, however, had different plans. I joined the U.S. Air Force and served four years, mainly overseas. I got married and started a family with no regrets about the path I chose. Once my youngest daughter went to college, I felt it was time to pursue my writing. What started as a hobby quickly turned into much more. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams—sometimes, it’s something you’re born with.

Fourteen years ago, during the Christmas holidays, I fell ill and had a vivid dream about a brother and sister facing their worst fear. Their family was moving cross-country at Christmas. I could see them clearly in my mind and hear their voices. It felt like a calling—I knew I had to write their story.

Initially, my wife thought I was a bit crazy, but I stuck with it. I committed to reading and writing daily, teaching myself along the way. That’s right—I’m a self-taught writer with no formal training. My education has come from a handful of books on writing, some online classes, and a large writing conference I attended in Dallas in 2019.

In my opinion, the value of storytelling doesn’t lie in the number of degrees you hold but in how you tell a story. Crafting a novel is a skill developed over time, and reading is vital because it allows you to see how others tell their tales.

I read Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan about ten years ago, and his writing profoundly influenced my writing. I reached out to him, and he promptly replied to my email. We continued to chat, and his best advice was to enjoy the journey. He was right. The publishing world is full of firsts: the first time I held my book, the first time I sold a book to a total stranger, my first book signing, and so on. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, but that’s all part of the journey.

I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling like I wasn’t an actual writer or didn’t fit in. At times, I doubted the quality of my writing. But my mind self-doubt shifted during my next book signing. It was an incredible high—people who had purchased some of my earlier works were now seeking my new book. Just like any job, writing has its ups and downs. But if you love what you do, don’t give up.

So far, the highlight of my career has been signing a contract with 4 Horsemen Publications. Let me tell you how it happened. I was offered a table at a show in Orlando, which I gladly accepted. I’m not one to pass up a free table and the chance to sell my books. On the event’s second day, one of the authors invited my wife and me to dinner with them and a few other authors. We were excited to attend, but the author had to cancel at the last minute. Nonetheless, I decided to go and enjoy the evening.

When my wife and I arrived, we were greeted by the Chief Operating Officer and the Senior Editor of 4 Horsemen Publications. I had the feeling that I had been set up. After a wonderful dinner and listening to their pitch, I knew I was right. I also knew it was time to take my writing to the next level. Of course, I had to submit my work and see if it met their standards. After a few long weeks of waiting, I was offered a contract. I’ve never been happier and still write under the 4HP label today.  

Some of the most important advice I can offer an inspiring author is to read and write daily, even if only a paragraph or two. Never give up. If you enjoy writing, then write. Most of all, enjoy the journey!