R.E. Bryant's Blog
June 1, 2016
A Noble Idea
Noble was inspired and written for different reasons. For many years I’ve always wanted to do something I had never done before. You know, try something new and see just how good you could be at it. There were many different ideas I had about what I wanted to try, but ultimately it was book writing that I settled on. It would allow me to develop my project from home without being away from family, and didn’t cost much to be creative. And it could be a life changer too…if it found that certain level of success. (Who doesn't dream about such things.) But the first and most important reason for me to write Noble was none of the reasons mentioned above. The true reason I decided to write Noble was to set an example for my children. That was it. It was that simple. It was an idea I had one day which is what motivated me get moving and do something different. So let me explain.
You see, the example I was looking to set for my children was simple…No matter what you want to do in life, if you worked hard at it, you can achieve it. It was a message delivered to many of us by our parents at a very early age, and one I felt many kids these days were missing, mine included. They were missing a message about the greatest part of our country; opportunity. The ability to create something out of nothing and prosper from your hard work.
One day, about four or five years ago, I watched my son while he played. I was thinking about some of the issues my wife and I were having with him. His learning, social skills, and his lack of enthusiasm towards sports or other activities. I recalled thinking to myself that I hoped he followed his dreams, and didn't settle for anything less than what he aspired for in life. Albeit, he was only five at the time, but my wife and I could see some developing issues on the horizon. I thought briefly about who I could point to as an example of someone who had become successful because of their hard work. After a few famous and very successful people had crossed my mind, I suddenly realized that I, as his father, should be that example. What child shouldn't look to their parents as such. The problem was I felt below average to rank as an example for my own kids. Seriously…below average. It was a wake up call. Sure, I had found success already in life. But I had also found failure. I always felt I could do more. Achieve more. I felt I wasn't living up to my own potential. I wanted my children to achieve greater accomplishments in life than I had. What parent doesn't? But if I expected them to achieve great things, why hadn’t I? How could I expect them to do so, if I had not? It wasn't just that I hadn't achieved great things, but honestly, I hadn't even tried.
At the time I was disappointed where I was in my career, worried about the direction I was headed and most importantly about their future. My son was showing signs of a learning disability, and it was obvious to me watching him as he tried his hand at sports or even socializing, that he was different. Not that being different was bad. He simply had some learning disabilities which we could help him overcome, but he also had different interests. Rather than try to change his interests or mold him into what I and others expected him to be, I decided I could help him use those very interests to show him how to be productive. I wanted to show him how to embrace them as a creative talent. This was the first step.
So how does a father teach his son (and some years later his now spirited and thriving daughter) to make a wonderful life out of the very things he or she wholeheartedly loves? Simple…take what the child loves, in this case movies about space adventures, spirited characters, and all other things imaginative, and write a book. Become his hero. Granted Noble is not a book for children, but still, I would become the example of the individual I looked for to point out to him as a person of success.
The jury is still out on whether or not Noble is a success. However, the lesson itself will be a success. No matter what others may think of the book, good, bad, or indifferent, the book was a product of hard work and created opportunity. That is the lesson I hope my children will learn. Opportunity isn’t about wishing for something. Opportunity is about creating something, and that in which you create, opens the door to additional opportunity itself. And that folks, was the idea and inspiration that led to the creation of Noble.
For those who choose to read Noble, I hope it fulfills whatever expectations you may have, and (just maybe) even exceed them. In this industry, receiving reviews and word of mouth is the true foundation to success. By writing and sharing a review, you will help me reach others who may also relate to my reasoning for writing this book, while also reaching out to fiction lovers everywhere who love a good read. And I hope they do.
Thank you to all of those along the way who have inspired me to continue this journey. It has proven to be a lesson in life I too have embraced. Now on to book two. :)
Thank You,
R.E. Bryant
You see, the example I was looking to set for my children was simple…No matter what you want to do in life, if you worked hard at it, you can achieve it. It was a message delivered to many of us by our parents at a very early age, and one I felt many kids these days were missing, mine included. They were missing a message about the greatest part of our country; opportunity. The ability to create something out of nothing and prosper from your hard work.
One day, about four or five years ago, I watched my son while he played. I was thinking about some of the issues my wife and I were having with him. His learning, social skills, and his lack of enthusiasm towards sports or other activities. I recalled thinking to myself that I hoped he followed his dreams, and didn't settle for anything less than what he aspired for in life. Albeit, he was only five at the time, but my wife and I could see some developing issues on the horizon. I thought briefly about who I could point to as an example of someone who had become successful because of their hard work. After a few famous and very successful people had crossed my mind, I suddenly realized that I, as his father, should be that example. What child shouldn't look to their parents as such. The problem was I felt below average to rank as an example for my own kids. Seriously…below average. It was a wake up call. Sure, I had found success already in life. But I had also found failure. I always felt I could do more. Achieve more. I felt I wasn't living up to my own potential. I wanted my children to achieve greater accomplishments in life than I had. What parent doesn't? But if I expected them to achieve great things, why hadn’t I? How could I expect them to do so, if I had not? It wasn't just that I hadn't achieved great things, but honestly, I hadn't even tried.
At the time I was disappointed where I was in my career, worried about the direction I was headed and most importantly about their future. My son was showing signs of a learning disability, and it was obvious to me watching him as he tried his hand at sports or even socializing, that he was different. Not that being different was bad. He simply had some learning disabilities which we could help him overcome, but he also had different interests. Rather than try to change his interests or mold him into what I and others expected him to be, I decided I could help him use those very interests to show him how to be productive. I wanted to show him how to embrace them as a creative talent. This was the first step.
So how does a father teach his son (and some years later his now spirited and thriving daughter) to make a wonderful life out of the very things he or she wholeheartedly loves? Simple…take what the child loves, in this case movies about space adventures, spirited characters, and all other things imaginative, and write a book. Become his hero. Granted Noble is not a book for children, but still, I would become the example of the individual I looked for to point out to him as a person of success.
The jury is still out on whether or not Noble is a success. However, the lesson itself will be a success. No matter what others may think of the book, good, bad, or indifferent, the book was a product of hard work and created opportunity. That is the lesson I hope my children will learn. Opportunity isn’t about wishing for something. Opportunity is about creating something, and that in which you create, opens the door to additional opportunity itself. And that folks, was the idea and inspiration that led to the creation of Noble.
For those who choose to read Noble, I hope it fulfills whatever expectations you may have, and (just maybe) even exceed them. In this industry, receiving reviews and word of mouth is the true foundation to success. By writing and sharing a review, you will help me reach others who may also relate to my reasoning for writing this book, while also reaching out to fiction lovers everywhere who love a good read. And I hope they do.
Thank you to all of those along the way who have inspired me to continue this journey. It has proven to be a lesson in life I too have embraced. Now on to book two. :)
Thank You,
R.E. Bryant
