Reflections on Success Omar Tyree

Seeking Success at an Early Age

I knew I wanted to be a writer as soon as I completed my freshman year of college at the University of Pittsburgh in 1988. I found that I had a gift for comprehending literature as well as creating my own. So at the tender age of 19, when fellow classmates were still confused about what they wanted to do with their lives, I decided that I would make my living writing books. And not only would I make a living from it, I planned to excite and inspire people through the many stories that I had to tell. However, when my around-the-way-boys back home in Philadelphia heard about my plans to become a writer, they all figured that I was riding a rather strong college pipe dream. They laughed at me as if I was a drunkard named Noah, who had just built an ark and said that it would rain for 40 days.

“You really think you're {going}to write some books, man. Are you crazy? What are you {going}to write about?” I answered, “Us, man. The neighborhood. The things that go on. Things I think about. Things we talk about. Everything!” I guess they figured that “writers” were born on planet Mars and then beamed down to earth. And I couldn’t possibly be a Martian because I had spent my whole life chilling with them. But they all knew that I was smart. They all knew that I had a way with words and a knack for details. They all knew that I loved watching movies (two and three at a time). I had the longest attention span. And I had always been the one to break things down into molecules.

In my freshman year at Pitt, I had published a student diary, received an A grade in English Comprehension, followed by an A in Creative Writing, and had helped plenty of my college peers with their writing assignments. I had all of the skills and the track record to become a writer. All I had to do was do it! To make a long story short, I transferred to Howard University after my sophomore year at Pitt, to major in Print Journalism at “The Mecca”. I went on to publish essays, short stories, poetry, and political commentaries. I organized my own column in the student newspaper Food For The Thought, and wrote my first two novels, Colored, On {a} White Campus, and Flyy Girl, while I was still an undergrad. As soon as I graduated (with honors) in 1991, I formed my own publishing company (MARS Productions), based on the education that I had paid for at Howard. Then I borrowed money from family, friends, and business associates to produce my first books for sale.

I was not to be denied, and I refused to wait around for someone to validate my writing skills. Education is indeed power, and my education told me that the hard work, dedication, execution, and persistence behind the man will eventually make the man! Six novels later, I’m still doing it. Now when I visit my good friends back home in Philly, they all speak to me in earnest. “Hey, O, I got a few book ideas I want to put out, man. How do I get started?” There {aren't any} shortcuts in {any} business! Work your plan, and plan your work.

Omar Tyree is the author of several books including "For the Love of Money" and "Single Mom."