The Four People Who Helped Me Become a Writer
Why it's important to encourage others in their gifts.
My forthcoming book, A Way With Words releases in August and is available for pre-order. Given that this is a book about words, which have been my vocation for all of my adult life, I dedicated this to four people who are responsible for me being a writer. Here’s the dedication:
Mrs. Birginal, for telling an awkward junior high boy that he had talent
My father, for constantly telling me I'd be a writer one day
My first boss, Julie Dearyan, for pushing me to get published
My mentor, Bill Swanger, for reminding me that writing is a ministry
I could have mentioned so many others: the publishers who took chances on me (and still do), the friends who opened up doors, my agent who works hard on my behalf, etc. I could also dedicate every book to my wife, who graciously allows space to write and encourages me with every project.
But these four helped me in such a profound way, especially early. I’d like to elaborate. The first person who saw any writing talent in me was a junior-high teacher named Terrie Birginal. I went to a private Christian school and it was while doing English composition, where I had to write essays and papers, that she said, “Dan, I think you have a knack for this. I think you should pursue this.” Simple words, really, that fueled a lifelong obsession with words. You can’t know it at the time, but words of affirmation from an adult toward a possible skill you might have are so valuable. Especially for an awkward, slightly chunky kid with hideous glasses and not a ton of athletic talent.
Then there is my father. He saw what I was doing in school and wanted to supercharge it. I know Dad had dreams of me taking over the plumbing business, but he was able to put that aside and keep whispering in my ear: “Son, you are going to be a writer one day.” He didn’t even realize how important that encouragement was. Dad wasn’t much of a talker, but these words gave me a love of words that I have to this day.
Third, my first boss, Julie Dearyan, hired me when I was still in college and gave me a full-time writing job at a Christian organization. I was so young and green and didn’t know a thing. Those early years I did a lot of copy-editing and collaborative writing, but the deadlines and tight words counts were so vital to helping me learn to write fast and on deadline. Julie also pushed me, hard, to get my work published. This was back in the day when you had to send a self-addressed stamped envelope to magazines (remember those?).
Fourth, my late mentor Bill Swanger came along at a critical point in my writing life. I was pastoring a church and was wondering if I should keep writing. I had a few folks (not in my church) tell me I shouldn’t. He told me that not only should I keep writing, but that he wished he’d done the same when he was younger. He encouraged me at a time when I was deeply discouraged about my calling. Bill helped me see my love of words as a ministry to the body of Christ.
I think about these four people often and the countless others who either encouraged me or opened a door for me. It makes me want to be that same kind of person toward others who might be where I was at various points in my career. I want to encourage others in their gifts and open doors for others to succeed.
What about you? I’d love to hear who helped make it possible, who encouraged you along the way, who gave you a bit of a lift in your calling.
Interesting Links
David Brooks has a really sobering column on five crises America is facing right now. Worth a read.
My former colleague Alex Ward has a great reading list on American history. Alex and I used to talk all the time about our favorite biographies and as hard as I tried, I could never ever out-read him.
David French is intrigued and perplexed (as all of us are) by the recent rulings on abortion by the Supreme Court. I think I see a silver lining here for future rulings, but not sure. Anyways, worth a read (though requires a subscription to The Dispatch, a worthy investment in my opinion).
It appears, though it’s a bit early to say definitively, that this new wave of coronavirus infections is less fatal than March and April. This Bloomberg piece shows why. Worth a read.
This piece by Abdu Murray came out in May, but it’s worth revisiting. The honor and shame culture of the East has come, it would seem, to the West. If you are perplexed by cancel culture, this will help you understand it.
What I’m Reading
I’m reading a few books right now and have much more capacity now that my time is less occupied by a book manuscript.
I’ve just started Dane Ortlund’s magnificent Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ For Sinners and Sufferers. I urge you to get a copy. It’s a penetrating look at the heart of Jesus, a perspective I fear we often miss in our Bible study.
I am nearly finished with Freedom’s Detective, which is a fascinating book about the man who first took on the Klan in the 1800’s. I’ll likely add a few more to my beach reading pile, perhaps a Brad Thor novel or a biography.
Personal Projects
Okay, some updates on projects. I’ve sent the last two months holed up every night and weekend finishing the manuscript for The Characters of Easter, which will release next Easter.
More immediately, my new book, A Way With Words is releasing from B&H in August but available now for pre-order. If you are at all interested, I urge you to pre-order. Here is why:
You’ll be among the first to get it
You’ll get quite a few extra bonus items with it, including:
An exclusive webinar with me and other pre-order folks
The booklet, A Social Media Survival Guide
A chance to win a complete library of my books
You help get the word out. Pre-orders tell retailers that there is interest in this book and they order a lot of copies.
So if you want to pre-order, purchase from your favorite retailer, then return to the book site and upload your receipt and we will send you the free bonuses!
Lastly, we are about to relaunch my podcast with a special series. I have recorded episodes with some amazing and surprising guests. Stay (i)tuned.
Stay in Touch
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If you have any feedback on One Little Word, I’d love to hear from you. Connect with me on Twitter here.