“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
- George Bernard Shaw
Hi, I’m Ollin Morales. I’m a fiction writer, freelance writer, ghostwriter and problogger.
Once upon a time, about five years ago, an idea for a book came into my head. It was story about a girl who was stuck in a peaceful little town, totally secluded from the rest of the world.
After writing some rough sketches, a very colorful and eccentric story was starting to emerge. Every day, after tutoring (my job at the time), I would find myself typing more of the story at local coffee shops, just for fun. Writing notes in between tutoring appointments. Drawing sketches of the characters and making maps when my students were on their breaks.
I began to love this story very much and it started to become the most exciting project that I had ever worked on. But at that time I told very few people about it, because I was afraid that people would think it was crazy that me, a twenty-two-year-old man, was spending his free time writing a fantasy story.
Two years later, after I kept on delaying writing the book, my sister suggested I write a blog about the experience to motivate me. On February 26, 2010, I decided to take her advice. I would finally start writing the novel I had been wanting to write and finish it. I would write this blog journaling my experience so that my readers could encourage me but also keep me accountable.
In no way did I think anyone would really read my blog. But not only are people reading it, they like it. They really like it. It’s growing and what’s more surprising is that…
I like it. I really like it. Who knew I was a blogger?
Over the past two years, this blog has grown to become so much bigger than me, and so much deeper than just my individual effort to keep loyal to my writing schedule. My private journey, now public, has become a lifeline for hundreds of people who have decided to finally pursue their passions. It has touched readers who are struggling to summon up the courage to follow their passions–and the courage to create their own lives from scratch.
Over the past two years, I’ve had to overcome some pretty challenging obstacles to get my novel written. But, thankfully, I keep overcoming those obstacles and I keep acquiring new tools to help me pull through. Each time I overcome a new obstacle, I share what I’ve learned with you so that you, too, can overcome the challenges you face.
So there you have it. Welcome to Courage 2 Create. It’s the story of me writing my first novel… and how life keeps getting in the way. But, really, it’s the story of all of us, and the lengths that we’ll take to create the life we want and give birth to the ideas that we hope will leave our mark on this world.
Ollin Morales is a fiction writer, freelance writer, ghostwriter, and problogger. Courage 2 Create chronicles the author’s journey as he writes his very first novel. This blog offers writing advice as well as strategies to deal with life’s tough challenges. His blog was named one of The Top Ten Blogs for writers by Write To Done two years in a row (2011, 2012), and has been featured on The Huffington Post and Colorlines.com
“Woah! This is a lot to read, and I’m new here. Where do I start?”
Welcome! I recommend that you start here.
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Find the box on the very top of my side bar labeled “Subscribe by E-mail.” Enter your e-mail address then click on the button to subscribe.
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much love,
Ollin
Ollin’s Progress
Goal: One Novel, Published
Step 1: Write 1st Draft by January 1, 2011 √ COMPLETE
Step 2: Write 2nd Draft by January 1, 2012 √ COMPLETE
Step 3: Gather Feedback On Manuscript and Revise. Finish 3rd Draft by January 1, 2013
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Non-Discrimination Policy
Courage 2 Create is committed to the principle of equal opportunity when it comes to choosing its guest bloggers and choosing who gets to engage in discussions. Everybody is welcome to share and read the content provided here. This blog does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, or whether or not you are a Battlestar Galactica fan. Although, if you are not a BSG fan, you may never fully understand my consistent usage of the word “frak” as a suitable replacement for profanity. But that’s okay. I accept you as you are, and love you as you are.
