Dip Your Pen Into Your Soul

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."—Henry Ward Beecher

I'm amazed when a truly gifted writer doesn’t pursue his gift, but someone who aspires to be a writer but their writing lacks spirit, originality, passion, and sparkle has the moxy to pursue publication.

Recently I talked to a man who is a gifted writer.

The problem? He doesn't believe it.

His writing is lyrical, beautiful and passionate. I encouraged him to attend a writer's conference hoping he'll find the courage to write. He's lucky. His wife encourages him.

I was close to a woman who is a gifted writer. I encouraged her to write.

Her problem? Her emotionally abusive and controlling husband.

Her children recognized her gift and encouraged her. She began to write. Her husband said, “Why are you doing that?” She stopped writing—to the disappointment of her children.

What prevents you from dipping into your soul and painting those words on paper? Fear? Family circumstances? Procrastination?