Those who know me have seen my passion for writing. It is something I enjoy doing in my free time as well as in the classroom. My mind is always coming up with a new plot. I can never seem to focus on one story -- it's always multiple. I asked Sara two questions, "Why do you like to write?" and "What advice do you have for beginning writers?" I've only been published a handful of times and none of them as awesome as the book she wrote that won many awards titled, "Girl at War." Hearing how she came up with this book, the process and the many hurdles she had to overcome, I became inspired and driven to continue writing no matter what.
Sometimes as a writer we can feel dejected and lonely because it is quite a lonesome career. Sending out your work and getting a thumbs down is not anyone's favorite moment. However, we artists are used to that. We have to push through the thousands of rejections in order to get that one solid YES! Being Deaf is hard enough living and working in the hearing world, but to also have to constantly see the words, "We regret..." at the top of many emails and letters can be overwhelming.
She told me to never stop reading, imagining or writing everything and anything. I hope I stay the course and never let others tell me "I can't."
She ended with, "The world needs your stories, The world needs more Deaf stories." Her words couldn't be closer to the truth. There are so many people in this world both hearing and Deaf that could use our stories. It just might help them find who they are and learn what the Deaf community really is about -- not just the Hollywood version. Writing is a part of me like the skin on my bones. I. Will. Not. Stop.
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