Meet William Hartwick | Author and Motivational Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with William Hartwick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi William, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Living with Tourette Syndrome, my life has been about risks and subsequent rewards. When I released the Invisible Backpack, “A life of Courage,” my 1st book, it allowed me some freedom in life I never thought I would have. The risk of opening oneself up to the world in a vulnerable way has reaped many rewards in my life, including this interview. Risks are often not taken because of fear of failing. The only real fear in life is fear itself. Some risks are taken monetarily, some risks in relationships and others in emotional ways. My risk is speaking to the world about a condition that is highly judged, and the reaction is my reward. People across the world are reaching out and appreciating ,accepting, and helping themselves from the risk I took, releasing my first book. I’m now working on my second book entitled Norma,l Basic and Average… NOT, which is one continuous rhyme, my autobiography. When it is released , the risk/reward benefits will be that of helping myself and making myself whole and strong as a human being. As an educator, both teacher and principal, for the better part of 30 years, the risk was vulnerability and being able to help children understand themselves as they were meant to be. That is a true risk with an amazing reward. I get to spend the rest of my life taking risks that are easier and more meaningful because the first risk I took was overcoming the condition of Tourette’s Syndrome and persevering each and every day of my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My book The Invisible Backpack is a rhythmical story of my life thus far. I write in complete rhyme and I’m the only one in the world doing it, which is the uniqueness about me. living with Tourette Syndrome is a gift of love, a gift of sharing and a gift of rhyming and telling a story that is captivating and different than anybody else. Going through school I was considered functionally illiterate and was not able to read or write very well. I would be considered the least likely person to become an author and a poet in the typical educational setting. However writing has allowed self healing. Journaling took care of my feelings and emotions of dealing with judgment in a way and the only way I could. Putting thoughts in rhyme and the uniqueness sets me apart from the rest of the literature world. As an educator of 30 years and now an author and motivational speaker, it was never easy. I was considered functionally illiterate and never able to read or write very well. I was dismissed from college five times because I could not make the grade. I have never read a book cover to cover in my life and never passed a language arts class. The difficulty is living in a system that’s failing most people. Education is the best invention of modern times and the worst system. The top 10% get A’s and the rest of us are considered failures. In that traditional system called education life is not was never easy for me. I overcame it with self love I overcame it with self-acceptance and I overcame it with the world accepting me in a written, unorthodox form never seen before. I’ve learned many lessons along the way but believing in myself and knowing that you die once and live every day has given me the opportunity to share today and many years to come. My book The Invisible Backpack is a gift to myself and to the world. One of my recent reviews said I’ve given the world freedom of expression allowed of poetry accessible anyone. When you pick up my book and open it it’s not a cover to cover read. Some call it a daily devotional and others say it t the most inspirational words they have ever read I call it my gift to humanity. For when my time is up on earth, my carbon footprint are my inspirational words on a page. My second book coming out Normal, Basic and Average…NOT is one continuous rhyme of my autobiography. What I would like the world to know is to find your way and what makes you and live it every day. There’s no need to be in a box and accept the persecuting world of judgment. Open your heart ,open my book, and find another way. loves is the he answer and self love is the key.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I recently moved to St Augustine Florida from Northern California where I spent my entire life. St Augustine is the oldest city in the country. I would highly recommend Downtown St George Street as a historical perspective. You will find many great food and beverage establishments, shops and history here. The other night we went and saw Willie Nelson at the amphitheater. There are many concerts available throughout the yea. I also got to be part and watch the performance Shen Yun, based upon a 5,000 Chinese dance style which is one of eight companies throughout the world and St Augustine hosted a night. The best time to visit is Christmas holiday season. St Augustine is also was given the title of one of the most celebrated holiday season cities in the world. Millions of lights light up downtown and they’re on for 24 hours a day 7 days a week from the end of November to the end of January. It’s a stunningly beautiful city, very safe, very kind people and very spiritual. The World Golf Hall of Fame is also inSt Augustine and as a golfer it was spectacular to see and visit. The ocean and beaches are also very beautiful. If you have a four wheel drive vehivle you csn actually drive along it for about 12 miles an experience the beauty of the Florida coast firsthand.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate Shout Out to Sherry Lynn Potter my 5th grade teacher. She is the most amazing person in my life ever. She believed In me and gave me hope when I had none. She found another way for me and allowed me the freedom to be myself no matter what others felt or told her about my behavior. She knew there was something special about me and she often told me that life will come to me in a very positive way as long as I love myself. Often people don’t recognize it because of fear. She also taught me what it’s like to love God and be a child of His walk. I thank you, Sherry. May you rest your soul in heaven. I love you and I miss you every single day.

Contact information:

Website: https://zh.makementalhealthmatter.org/quarterly-tv-specials

   New cover Sandra and Read

   William’s Resume’.docx

   Schools Pitch

https://a.co/d/8pkTWUS

https://readingwithyourkids.com/the-invisible-backpack-a-life-of-courage-rwyk-certified-great-read/