Growing up, my grandfather gave my brother and me books as birthday and Christmas gifts every year. I didn’t appreciate books as a child because I wanted lots and lots of toys.
When I turned 12, I decided to read one of the books while I was grounded. The book was called “The Charm School,” and the story captivated me so much that I wanted to become a writer.
Being mesmerized by the story made me want to write stories and have others experience what I did at that moment. I was able to follow my passion because of one teacher in my life.
My immigrant parents wanted me to become a doctor or lawyer
When I told my parents, at age 12, that I wanted to be a writer, they laughed, thinking it was a kid’s dream.
My mother is from Kenya, and my stepfather is from Congo. They told me pursuing prestigious careers was the only way to be successful. I heard repeatedly that writers don’t make money, and it would not be a career that brought honor to our family.
I told my friends, cousins, school teachers, and anyone who would listen that I wanted to be a writer. Everyone thought I was too young to understand and that writing wasn’t a realistic career.
My middle school English teacher was the one person who believed in me
When I started middle school, I was fortunate to have Mrs. Nantz as my English teacher. In my very first class with her, I fell in love with writing again.
She introduced us to classic books, writers, and writing that challenged our developing brains as middle schoolers.
For two years, Mrs. Nantz encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a writer and taught me how to write. She worked with me after school and during lunch breaks. She gave me extra homework and new and exciting books to read. She gave her time so generously and for free.
She cheered and celebrated every poem, short story, paper, and piece of writing I turned in. Her support, guidance, and education showed me it was possible to be a writer and helped me learn the skills.
I didn’t immediately take the path of becoming a writer as an adult
I didn’t pursue the path my parents wanted, was kicked out our my home, was homeless at 17, and had to get three jobs to survive. I got “grown-up” jobs and started a business at 19.
At 21, I started writing for fun again. That year, I wrote my first book by hand, read books every day, and began pursuing writing professionally.
By 23, I was blogging and building an audience, sharing my thoughts on life and work. I self-published that first book, “Tales of the Everyday Working Man and Woman,” and it felt incredible to finally make money as a writer.
I wrote a second book, “Are You Living or Existing?” and a third book, “Stop Chasing Influencers,” for which I was able to sign a traditional publishing contract.
It was an incredible moment to show Mrs. Nantz the results of her influence
Twenty years after the encouragement and belief of an English middle school teacher, I was a professional writer with three published books and a full-time living as a writer.
Mrs. Nantz and my grandfather are why I’m a professional writer today.
I wanted to show Mrs. Nantz what her influence had led to, so I cried hard when I packed up and sent her signed copies of my published books.
She got the books, called me, and we both spent time crying together — it’s one of my proudest moments in life thus far.
Every year, Mrs. Nantz shows her students my books and what’s possible as she teaches them about English and writing.
It’s also special that my children witnessed this journey from jobs I hated to living my dream as a writer. They also got to hold my books and tell their friends about them; my youngest child also writes.
In a way, Mrs. Nantz’s influence and belief in a 12-year-old’s dream now spans multiple generations.
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