Living in a world of comparisons and competitiveness,
everyone experiences doubt at one point or another. If you’re currently having doubts about any
goal (or anything) in your life, this story is for you!
As a teenager, Catherine Lanigan was frequently told
she was a gifted writer. She loved writing and eagerly entered college as a
journalism major. During the second semester of her freshman year, she was
selected to participate in a creative writing class, taught by a visiting
professor from Harvard.
Catherine jumped at the opportunity to participate in
a class that was usually reserved for seniors, and enthusiastically wrote her
first short story. After she submitted it, the professor called her into his
office and told her, “your writing stinks.” Devastated, Catherine asked him if
there was anything good about her writing—the plot, the characters, the
dialogue. He responded with, “nothing.” The professor went on to tell Catherine
she would never make it as a writer and it was a waste of her parents’ money
for her to continue as a journalism major. Because she had a 4.0 GPA and didn’t
want to fail the writing class, the professor made her a deal—if she promised
to never write again, he would give her the gift of a ‘B.’
She accepted his offer, and didn’t write for 14 years.
Years later during a trip to San Antonio, Catherine came across a
group of journalists and writers talking by the pool. She gathered the courage,
approached them, and admitted she’d always wanted to be a writer. One man asked why she wasn’t. She told him she had it on good authority that her writing
wasn’t any good.
The stranger said something that changed Catherine’s
life, “It’s just one person’s opinion.” He gave her a business card
and told her if she ever wrote anything to send it to him.
With new enthusiasm, Catherine went home, wrote a
book, and mailed it to him.
The rest is history.
Catherine’s first book, Romancing the Stone, not
only became a bestselling novel, it also became a blockbuster movie starring
Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Catherine’s follow-up novel, Jewel of
the Nile, also became a hit book and movie. Catherine continued to pursue
her dream of writing, penning and publishing 33 books.
The next time someone tells you you’re not good enough
or you’re not cut out to be, do, or have something you passionately desire,
remember it’s just one person’s opinion. And, the next time you experience
self-doubt, think about Catherine’s story and remember it’s not what others
think that matters, it’s what you think…Always believe in yourself!
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
Restart in Bristol, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—He’s a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another pass at love? https://amzn.to/37cCw1b. Now available in audiobook: https://adbl.co/3hgKZpF.
The
Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in
Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance
Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him.
When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv.
Also available in audiobook: https://adbl.co/2WAsOnp.
Nora’s
Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's
Favorite 2019 Contemporary Romance Bronze winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner:
She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags.
Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX. Also
available in audiobook: https://adbl.co/2VArr7c.
To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter,
please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/. I blog once a month, and I don’t send spam—ever!
The Success
Principles by Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/39SgKSt
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
