Did you have a memorable Independence Day? I did. One critical fact I couldn’t help but think about is that FREEDOM ISN’T FREE — it comes at a great cost. I want to thank all of those military men and women who have served our country, who now serve our country, and who will serve our country. I also want to thank those who train our military service dogs who play such a key role in securing our freedom. Without all of you … the thought makes me shudder.
God bless America!
Freedom of Speech
One of the greatest freedoms granted to writers is the freedom of speech. Without that right, we could not express our views, write those stories we have a passion to share, and help those who could not receive help without the written word.
A Beacon for Life
I had 3 children — 2 surviving who I am incredibly proud of and one who came between them. Mary Kathryn was Trisomy 18 and stillborn. It was a very difficult time and I wrote a book, A Beacon for Life. For me, it was cathartic, and I wrote it with the intention to only help others. The thought of making anything off of it wasn’t even in the picture. A traditional publisher picked it up, but as with all new authors, the contract clauses were grey, non-negotiable, and standard. At the time, I traveled the country doing speaking engagements and my goal was to buy books to donate. The publisher set my retail price at the high end for a book that size and my mere 30% author discount didn’t make my book affordable for me to purchase and donate.
One evening I got a call… . This was the beginning of print on demand and that is how my publisher operated. Someone ordered 3 books and 303 books were printed. They had no way to store them and wanted me to buy them. Needless to say, I negotiated them down to $3 per book and donated them. I have letters from those my book helped that I keep as a reminder of the importance of the written word. My book helped more than I could have ever imagined.
Make A Difference
As a writer, we all have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others. Does that mean we need to be published to make that impact? Most of us think the answer to that question is a resounding YES. However, I am here to tell you that the answer is NO. Yes, you have the opportunity to reach more people if you are published (but that does not mean you will); the more important goal is to reach those you are intended to reach.
My son recently told me how thankful he is of my writing. I am an older mom (almost 37 when I had my son). He told me it was comforting to know that all he had to do was read something I wrote to hear my “voice.” You do not need to be published to hear the voice of the author and gain encouragement and help from their written word. I know a “young” man whose mom was never published, but whose written word provides comfort and inspiration to this day. Who do you want to reach?
© 2018 Karen Van Den Heuvel Fischer
