Overcomer Series with Renee Fisher
What do you do?
I am a full-time writing coach and biz consultant, an author of 9 books and a speaker! I absolutely love what I do and I love my clients (who doesn’t like writers?).
Growing up, did you always dream that you would be doing what you’re doing now?
No! Growing up, I wanted to be an architect. Then, I went to college to become a high school math teacher. It wasn’t until I was half way through with community college that I realized I wanted to be a writer. I knew I had a stack of journals of my personal thoughts of health issues I had overcome, but I never thought in a million years that I had a voice and that it mattered. So I dared God. I told him, “If you heal me–I’ll do anything!” And He healed me and the rest is history. Or should I say His-story!
What made you decide to “go for it” in terms of your career goals/ambitions?
When I was working at Outreach Events booking the top Christian speakers, it was then I knew that I had to just go for it. I spent almost 2 years there learning behind the scenes what it actually took to become a successful author. I worked hard to apply everything I was learning and then I quit my job in 2009 and never looked back!
Did you face adversity? How did you overcome that?
When I quit my full-time job, I was already on disability. As a single twenty-something I couldn’t handle doing it all (working full time and launching myself full time as a writer). My anxiety got the best of me, and I know it was God’s way of saying, “I got this!” Anxiety is a beast I’ve fought all my life, and it is only through God’s grace that He has allowed me to share my story of answered dreams for others who are fearful to share their story with the world. You can and your story matters!
A lot of women have these big goals & big ideas that they’d like to bring to life, what advice would you give them in terms of how they can make that happen?
Writing a book is THE HARDEST THING I have ever had to do. I’m not a mom yet, so please give me the grace to come back and change my answer. However, I know I’m not the only author to utter those same words. One of my most favorite things ever is to come alongside an author and help them self-publish their book. It’s in these monthly coaching calls that I’m able to truly address each obstacle that stands in her way. Most women, including myself, usually end up realizing that the hardest obstacle to overcome is herself.
What’s the biggest regret you have when it comes to your blog/shop/business?
That I didn’t jump sooner. Instead of going on disability, instead of fighting to try and do it all and support myself in the whole process–I should have just moved in with my parents sooner and quit my job without all the crying and the tears and the anxiety and the “I don’t have what it takes to dream” saga. I did have what it took, and it took me many years to recover from prolonging the jump. Fear paralyzes but faith gives flight to new dreams.
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
Traditionally publishing “Forgiving Others, Forgiving Me: Finding Freedom in the Journey from Pain to Purpose” with Harvest House in 2013. I spent over 10 years to get my life’s story published. Another publishing house picked it up around the time of the recession but canceled my contract when the market collapsed. It was a miracle that Harvest House picked it up and published it!
And, just because we like our coffee around here, how do you take yours?
I don’t drink coffee. I wake up like this!
I believe in the story of the overcomer. That has been my story and I believe that is your story too. We want your journey here on the blog to help encourage others just like you and me. If you’d like to share that with us, please come over and share your story with us!
Was this story an encouragement to you? Share it with others!
