Another birthday has arrived. The big 3-1. Got some fun plans with family and friends. Should be a good day. At this moment, I’m listening to an awesome remix of a Katy Perry song and working on the penultimate chapter of my second book’s rough draft.
Now I’ve known that I wanted to write since I was about 20 years old. But the older I’ve gotten, more solid that believe has become. In the time since the the first book, I’ve gotten ideas for several more Star Brigade and non-Star Brigade novels. I get excited about the idea of crafting these worlds and the blessing to have something I’m passionate about.
The first Star Brigade book was a long labor of love, with many moments of self-doubt and discouragement. And that was probably part of the reason I didn’t go the traditional publishing route. I was scared of the rejection. I’ve heard the horror stories of first time authors who don’t get any interest from publishers or agents.
Even worse, those who manage to land deals get royally screwed. So I went the print-on-demand route. I don’t regret it. This allowed me to get my book out there, even if not in the brick and mortar stores.
I got my book reviewed, some scathing, a few mixed, most very positive. I remember the very first book review I received for Star Brigade; First Renaissance. It was glowing. And I jumped up and down like a giddy school girl. How good I not. This was public validation of my hard work.
There have been many times over the years that I’ve made promises of what I’ll do differently and what I’ll change. Most of these resolutions haven’t stuck. Ha! But when it comes to my writing, I want to change that. Aside from finishing the second Star Brigade book, I know that I have to start actively pursuing a career as a writer.
Writing is something that excites me, motivates me, allows me to see the world through a different lense. The ideas that flow through my head about my characters and the journeys I plan to take them on sometimes lights up days where I don’t feel like mustering a smile.
So as this birthday ends and another quickly approaches, I have to see if book writing is a profession that I’m truly cut out for, no matter how much I love it.
My dream is vivid, so I work hard to live it.
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