John Riddle is an author and a resident of Bear.
When I was a senior in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
My family was living in a public housing project, and college was not in my immediate future. Like many teens, I was trying to figure out where I belonged and what direction my future might take.
Then, one night, something unexpected happened.
I was watching an episode of the old show, “The Flying Nun.” When the program ended, the credits rolled across the screen, and I noticed the episode had been dedicated to one of the writers from the show.
“Writer,” I thought. “Sounds like a noble profession. I wonder if I could be a writer.”
Right then and there, I prayed and asked God to please make me a writer. I remember promising to honor him and do a good job if that dream ever became reality.
As soon as I finished praying, I suddenly felt inspired to write my own episode of “The Flying Nun.” I tore several sheets from a marble composition book and sat down at an old Royal typewriter with a few bent keys.
Eight pages later, my first attempt at professional writing was complete.
I was proud of it.
The next day, I handed the script to my English teacher and asked him to read it overnight. I could hardly wait to hear what he thought. But, when I entered his office the following day, he stood up, tossed the script across the desk and delivered words I have never forgotten.
He told me it was “the worst thing he had ever read” and suggested I consider becoming a manual laborer instead.
“If your writing has no purpose, there is no purpose in your writing!” he shouted, as he walked away.
At that moment, my dream felt shattered.
But something else happened, too.
Right then and there, I vowed that, one day, I would see my name on multiple book covers and travel around the country encouraging people to follow their dreams.
That painful moment became fuel.
Today, more than four decades later, I have written 42 books, with three more scheduled for release later this year. My byline has appeared in newspapers, magazines and websites across the United States. I have interviewed celebrities, athletes, veterans, business owners and everyday people with extraordinary stories.
And I still love writing just as much as I did when I sat at that old typewriter.
In 2002, I launched I Love to Write Day after a conversation and moment of inspiration while driving to a writers’ conference with my oldest daughter, Bonnie. I officially declared each Nov. 15 to be a day dedicated to encouraging people of all ages to write.
My goal was simple then, and it remains simple today: I want people to discover the power of writing.
People can write poems, stories, journals, greeting cards, essays, songs or even the beginning of a novel. Writing helps people express emotions, preserve memories, share ideas and discover confidence they never knew they had.
What amazed me most was how quickly the idea spread. During the very first I Love to Write Day, more than 11,000 schools across the country signed up to participate. Libraries, bookstores, churches and community groups joined in, as well. When USA Today featured the event, the response was overwhelming.
But the greatest reward has always been hearing from people who decided to try writing because of a little encouragement.
That encouragement matters.
One of the biggest joys of my writing career recently came from collaborating with two of my grandsons, Matthew and Timothy Ceban, on “More Than a Game: Life Lessons From the Baseball Field.” Watching a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old share stories, lessons and memories about baseball reminded me why I fell in love with writing in the first place.
Writing creates connection.
It builds bridges between generations. It preserves family stories. It gives people a voice.
And, sometimes, it helps a kid from a public housing project believe that impossible dreams might come true.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
