The Rewards of Being a Writer

As a rule, writers don’t write just to create income anymore than we are called to teach only to make money. (Though when a project succeeds, we won’t refuse the monetary rewards either.)

I’d like to share with you a few examples that demonstrates the rewards of being a writer.I remember when I was first invited to Hollywood from New York and had written my first screenplay, The Christmas Wife, and it had just come out with favorable reviews and several Emmy nominations.  I was on a plane and overheard a conversation between two men sitting in front of me. They were discussing favorite films and one man said, “I guess my favorite film is one I saw just recently, called “The Christmas Wife”. Now, usually, as most writers, I enjoy eavesdropping and remain anonymous. However, I couldn’t resist so I tapped on the gentleman’s shoulder and said,

“I couldn’t help overhearing that you said “The Christmas Wife’ is your favorite film.”

“Yes, did you see it?”

“Well, actually, I wrote the film.” and then the laughter and smiles overtook us all. It was a ‘moment’ which says, “Isn’t life wonderful and inexplicable!”

What a great feeling and confirmation to keep on writing!

This week I received a lovely card from an unknown reader of my book, Heal Your Self with Writing. It was an unexpected gift and confirmation of what I hoped to achieve with this latest book.

Catherine,

After reading Heal Your Self with Writing, I gifted a copy to a dear friend in Utah. We have begun the process of working through the exercises together through weekly phone meetings. Wow! Your direction is so positive and refreshing. Although we’ve just started, we are already excited knowing the healing process has begun and will continue.

Thank you for sharing your gifts, intuition, wisdom, knowledge, and heart through this amazing and healing book.

With gratitude,

Pam G., California

Earlier, I received an eleven page letter from a man in prison who somehow found my earlier book, The Way of Story, and wrote how it changed his life for the better.

I received an email from Iran that, unknown to my publisher,  The Way of Story had been published in their language and that a group of men were meeting once a week and doing the exercises together. They were now reading the book for the second time.

The rewards are many for writing from your heart and soul and hearing that your words have touched others – even strangers you may never meet. I think this speaks for all vocations that arise spontaneously from the heart and soul of each of us – not only writers. Follow that inner calling and serve it deeply and well. Rewards of all kinds will follow!