"No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.”
I’ve been working on a story that is going to change this country.
This book has turned my life upside-down and backwards. In fact, my life will never be the same.
I met Gary Lee Price when he and his wife, Leesa attended my Inspired Writers Retreat at Bear Lake. It was Leesa who was looking to write a book, and Gary just happened to come with her. I fell in love with this couple immediately.
And, surprise!
Upon arrival, we discovered that Gary is a famous, world-class sculptor. He agreed to do a clay manifestation exercise with our group. Everyone enjoyed sculpting and learning from Gary.
As the retreat progressed, we had no idea how deeply Gary's story would impact all of us.
The power couple twisted my arm into considering writing Gary’s memoir with him. Honestly, once I heard more, my arm didn’t take much twisting.
It was one of those stories that strikes you through the heart.
Gary was only six years old when his mother and stepfather died in a murder-suicide on a U.S. Army base in Germany.
(It gets harder from there for a bit. . .but stay with me—it’s worth it.)
Little Gary was sent from Germany to Montpelier, ID, and thrust into a secret world of intense abuse—the caliber of which could twist a person up inside and make one a danger to society.
Only Gary had two things going for him: his art and his faith.
Instead of becoming bitter, Gary used these two gifts to become better.
Every single suffering moment that Gary experienced primed him to become the sculptor that fulfilled Viktor Frankl’s not-so-secret dream for the creation of a "Statue of Responsibility."
Photo courtesy of GaryLeePrice.com
Do you remember Viktor Frankl?
Yes, that one—the Jew who survived four Nazi concentration camps and wrote a book that has affected millions: Man's Search for Meaning.
Sadly, Viktor has passed away. Yet, through a series of miracles Gary was brought together with Viktor’s wife, Dr. Elly Frankl.
What ensued let Gary know that God had a hand in every aspect of his life, even using Gary’s suffering for great things.
It’s so miraculous it will make you cry.
I’ve caught myself sobbing several times in the writing. Sobs of distress, sobs of joy, sobs of triumph.
Why would I share this now?
Because discouragement might be telling you lies:
that now is not the time to write your book
suffering might be saying you’re too weak
it’s too painful
the country is too distracted for anything you say, anyway
In a few months Gary's book will be published, and I want you to know that you can experience triumph just like he has.
And I’m here to tell you:
Trust in your tears.
Trust in divine timing.
Trust in the power of your story.
And then write it.
I'm cheering you on with squeals (and tears) of joy!