Two Hundred Thirty-six years ago, a group of individuals determined they wanted to live a life independently of the queen’s rule. They came up with a plan. Their resolve was so strong, they made bold statements such as, “give me liberty, or give me death!”

The so believed in their dream, they were not deterred. Roadblocks were obliterated. Enemies were crushed and they gallantly fought for what they knew was their destiny. Their cry was freedom. Nothing stopped them and, when the last musket fired and the last redcoat retreated, the United States of America was born.

I know you have a dream of being a published author… or at least a writer. You think of it often. That desire ignited a flame inside you. But something is holding you back. You want to be free to live your dream, but you remain under the rule of something or someone. It’s time for a revolution! It’s time to declare your independence!

Our forefathers were writers, too. In their first book, the Declaration of Independence, they wrote that YOU have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Being a writer makes you happy. I can’t believe you hate it and you’re torturing yourself. If our founding fathers wrote you the right to pursue what makes you happy, why wouldn’t you? I salute those who paved the way for you and me because they gave us a roadmap to follow in our own pursuit.

1) Believe in your dream purely and wholly. You will find all sorts of strength to fight for what you believe in.

2) Recruit those who believe in your dream. Yes, contrary to what you may have been led to believe, there are those out there who support your cause of being an author.

3) Write it down. If you believe in something so strongly knowing it will change your life forever, you better take the time to write it down. Declare it!

4) Fight for it. You must be willing to fight for what you believe in. Sometimes you’ll know the enemy at the end of your emotional musket who has taken up arms against your cause. Be willing to stand up for what you believe in.

I’m proud to be an American. I would take up arms this minute and fight for the freedom of the citizens of this great nation. I would lay down my life to ensure our country remains the land of free and home of the brake.

I’m also proud to be a writer and I will fight to my death for your right to string prose together in meaningful fashion. I believe in you, your dream, and your story. As a writer, you have the inalienable right to the pursuit of prose.

Write Your Declaration of Independence Today! Pursue it with all that’s in you and you will be free!

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Reba J. Hoffman is a natural encourager and Member Care Coach at My Book Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is the founder of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She is the author of Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal published by My Book Therapy. She also publishes a motivational and encouraging blog, FindingTrue North. Contact Reba at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com.