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February 04, 2005

Bouncing Back

Yesterday I heard something that made me think about reaching one’s dreams. The person said, “Trevor you are so lucky you have reached your dream and are doing what you love.”

I am lucky. But to tell you the truth, I created a lot of my own luck. I worked really hard to be ready when luck opened a few doors for me. I was totally prepared. As they began to open I barged through them like a crazed bull in Pamplona.

I believe success is where preparation meets opportunity.

Honestly, the luckiest thing for me is that I never gave up on myself. I have a really good excuse for failing to be a writer. I am dyslexic and as a child I had tremendous difficulty with creative writing and spelling. But I’ve never used that as an excuse for not achieving something I set out to do.

The learning difference was a real hurdle for me once I started writing full-time. I knew I wanted to write books from the age of eight, however, people kept telling me that I would never make it because of my "problem." I was also told I was not talented enough to go to art school. And now I love doing sketches. (Like the self-portrait above.)

I consider challenges as hurdles and believe hurdles are there for a reason. To be jumped over!

I went through a tough time trying to get my first book published. I wanted to see my books in print so badly it hurt, but I kept on getting rejection after rejection. Being rejected is so darn painful. Most people who receive one or two rejections simply give up because the pain and disappointment is too much to bear.

I have over three hundred rejections for books I have written over the years. But that didn’t stop me. I kept on submitting book after book after book. I saw myself as an elasticized punching ball that boxer's train with. Every time I took a blow, I came hurtling back in a different direction. Back and back I came, until I landed my first publishing deal. I didn't rest after that.

I did the same for my second book and my third and even my thirtieth. (I still can’t believe that I have over one million copies of my books in print in 14 different languages. So there Mr. Louw! So much for your report-card comment that said, ‘Trevor Romain will do well if stops dreaming so much.”)

I often go back in time (in my mind) and put my arm around myself as a young child. I see a scared and hurt little boy with his head hung after being spanked for not being able to spell. Spanked for drawing instead of listening. It really feels good to hold that young boy and let him know that everything is going to be alright.

I still get rejections for certain books I propose, but that won't stop me from writing and submitting manuscripts. As long as I believe in my work, I will keep on coming back right in people's faces (like that punching ball) so they have no chance of ignoring what I believe in.

Every now and then rejection will sneak a punch at me, but I come bouncing right back. The more I take those punches, the easier it is to come back!

Posted by trevor at February 4, 2005 08:32 PM