How do you know you’re meant to be a writer? There are signs but you probably have ignored them most of your life like I did…

I never felt like I was “smart enough” or “good enough” with words.

The first book that inspired me was a poetry book. I found emotions I never knew existed.

This stranger stole my heart with words.

My first thought was how did they know their writing was good enough to be in a book. How did they know they were a writer.

I remember it clearly, that day in the library I was 10 years old and becoming an author became my first dream.

I started writing poetry right away. The type that made me cry before my pen did it’s job.

I used words for healing in my teenage years but didn’t know I was a writer.

In college my favorite course was English. I loved the assignment no matter what topic. I was a C student at that time of my life. Managed to get an A on every paper but I didn’t know I was a writer.

My family relocated from America to West Africa (Gambia) and lived abroad for 4 years straight.

While coping with having a traveling husband I pulled out every strength within me to write the book Gambia Through Our Eyes https://a.co/d/eLtFStg my perspective of living in Africa as Muslim American expats and a homeschooling mom of 9.

It took 2 years to write my first book.

and was sweating when it was time to hit the publish button on Amazon Kdp.

Last year I became a published author but I was always a writer.

How you know if you’re a writer

“Your whole life is a manifestation of the thoughts that go on in your head.” Says Lisa Nichols, my favorite author and motivational speaker.

You know you’re a writer when other writers pull your craft from your lungs. Their work inspires you to have your own wild dreams of being published.

I became a published author after having my 9th baby.

Painful days I pulled myself out of the bed at 5am to write, before I could write even a half sentence my newborn would wake up crying. I questioned myself about whether I would ever finish my book.

I was breastfeeding and crying.

Never knew writing was so hard and I wondered how do I even know if I’m supposed to be a writer.

You know you’re a writer when the words won’t stay quiet. When thoughts pile up in your mind like unpaid bills, demanding your attention.

When you find the perfect words randomly in in the shower and you almost jump out to get them onto paper.

You know you’re a writer when you’ve taken every path except the one that called the  loudest.

Pharmacy technician. Nursing assistant, Nursing school. Health coach. Personal trainer. YouTuber. Land Consultant. Real Estate. You loved it all. You flourished in those identities but none of them yours in the way writing belongs to you.

You know you’re a writer when you’re not afraid of failing at anything more than you fear not writing…

When the pen tells all your secrets and it heals your heart.

When your kids ask “Mommy, why are you sad?” and you know they can hear the unwritten words trapped inside you.

When your notebook is your therapist

When the pen bleeds ink and your eyes well up because finally – FINALLY you let your words out so they can heal others.

You don’t become a writer when you get published.

You don’t become a writer when someone buys your book.

You were always a writer. You just needed the courage to stop running from it.