Romancing the Stone and The Talentless Writer
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As a young girl Catherine Lanigan had always dream 
of being a journalist. And when she was in college, young Catherine thoughts she was preparing her future as a writer has just begun. Little that she knows her professor felt that she is a talentless writer.
In fact her professor called her in the office for a chat and said to her, “You have absolutely no idea about plot structure or characterization. How you were ever recommended for this class is beyond me. You have no business being here. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never earn a dime as a writer.” He then suggested to her to get out of journalism. The professor said, “So, I’ll make a bargain with you. I’ll be your crutches. I will get you through my class and give you a B if you promise never to write anything ever again.”
So for fourteen years Catherine Lanigan didn’t write. Instead, she read everything she could get my hands on. Her thinking was if she couldn’t write it herself, she can read what others had the talent and courage to do.
The summer of 1979, Catherine was in San Antonio. A group of television producer and film crew was in town. She went up to talk to the writers and one of them asked her “If you wanted to be a writer, you’d be writing.”
Catherine then related her tale about the professor. When Catherine finally finished her story, the man said, “Why, I’m ashamed of you. You haven’t even tried. Here’s my card. If you ever write anything, give me a call.”
Catherine went home and took Action; she bought a stack of lined paper, a pack of pens and started writing a novel about World War I. She borrowed a typewriter from a friend, typed up the four hundred pages and sent them to that man — the writer.
A month later Catherine received a phone call from that writer and he said, “I read your manuscript and it was good. I sent it to my agent, and she’s going to call you in half an hour.”
Thirty minutes later, the phone ring again. It is the agent Kathy Robbins and she said, “Catherine, you are startlingly talented.” That is how it is all started…
Since that day Catherine Lanigan has published many successful books. That include: Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile and 26 other novels and non-fiction books.
Don’t let anyone kill your dream!
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action than No Action
Other related post by Giovanna It is never too late!
With determination you can accomplish anything. Even to bring home the cows!
What Oprah saids about passion?
Be so Motivated that nothing can stop you!
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I hate teachers that discourage their students from trying. It’s even worse when parents do that to their kids as well. The real question though is where you draw the line on encouragement.
Hi Steve
I agree with you that it is very bad when teacher and parents discourage the children from trying things. That is a great quesion you did bring up, when do we draw the line on encouragement… Well, I would say for as long as the child or the person believe it is possible. And as long as it is not hurting anyone. I would continue to support and encourage.
That is just me!
Thank You for your comment, I look forward to reading more from you.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
On one hand, good for her. She should go back and rub it in his face. On the other hand, I agree with the professor. Those books are not very good. At least they were lucrative though.
That’s just one opinion though. Keep feeding the dream.
Hi Justin
The spirit of it is “Keep the dream a life!”
I know my mother love her books
Thanks for your comment.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Amazing how life works out! The lesson to learn is to never give up on your Dream!
Hi Jacques
This is an great story. Don’t even let any one kill your dream!
Thanks for your comment, I look forward to reading more from you.
Giovanna Gacia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Giovanna,
Thanks for the uplifting true story. I too, have always wanted to write….no matter how many times I have started and stopped, I will NOW continue to do so. I am going to do a series of Audio, Video and Blogging to write for now…..as I find that the easiest way to get out what I “need” to say about soooo many things. Thanks for your continued encouragement to go ahead with “Imperfect” action. That has certainly been one of my hangups…….needing it to be “perfect” before I publish my Video, etc.
I have just come through an very “painful” , but insightful experiance over something that happened to me 30 years ago! I’ll be sharing it on my Blog and will send you the link later.
Blessings to you for all you do…..it really does make a difference,
Dolly Lutz (Inspirational Speaker)
Could it be that this professor couldn’t stand the thought for a young writer being able to succeed on her own in life and wanted to silence her thoughts and kill her dreams?
Hi Dolly
I am so help to hear you are breaking free from the need of being perfect
Perfection is the journey of a lot of Imperfect Action! I saw your video, beautiful coloring and you look great 
Thanks for your comment, I look forward to reading more from you.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Reinhard
It is funny you should ask that! In an interview of Catherine Lanigan, Catherine did say, “I met a psychologist one time at the place where I worked days while getting my writing career to more financially stable ground, who explained to me about the professor. “Don’t you see what happened? His response was violent and angry. To coerce you into a bargain like that means that he was jealous. He saw something he didn’t have. He saw talent.”
So you may just be right!
Thanks for your comment, I hope to read more from you.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
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