Don’t Stop Believing

I woke up this morning and started categorizing things in my head – you know, what I had to get done today and how I was going to prioritize my day. However, despite having a clear direction of my schedule by the time I got out of bed, I really haven’t done any of the things I set out to do. I spent some time on the usual social media sites, like Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads, saying hello to my friends and making some new ones. I watched a little daytime television. Speaking of, wasn’t the girl who played Victoria on The Young & The Restless like seven years old? She’s a grownup now! Wow, I’m getting old. But I digress.

So anyway, instead of sticking to the schedule, I enjoyed some much needed downtime. The good thing about downtime is that it gets you thinking … it gives you perspective, not just on your life but on the lives around you. I also spent some time thinking of the last few whirlwind months.

Bloodspell came out in June. The last three months have been some of the most insanely awesome months of my life, as I am sure the next three months will be, especially as I will still be on tour promoting the novel. I’ve met some INCREDIBLE people along this journey, people that I will remain friends with hopefully for a lifetime – bloggers, fans, reviewers, publicists, editors and fellow authors. And I know I will meet a lot more. Thank you for all your support and good wishes and your friendship, whether it’s in person or on Twitter or on Facebook. It means A LOT.

I know that this journey is only just beginning. The things is I’ve always dreamed of being a writer. I loved reading and I wrote a ton of poetry and short stories growing up, so it seemed like a natural step for me. But things don’t always turn out like you plan it. After a Creative Writing class in college gone horribly wrong (I won’t bore you with the details), I focused on other things like International Studies, French, and History. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have given up on my dream so easily, but I was young and impressionable. I didn’t think I had what it took to be a writer … in short, I didn’t believe in my own voice. After college, I got into Global Telecommunications, drawn by the lure of a fruitful career and lots of international travel. Thirteen years later, I’d done well, so much so that I’d managed my own NY sales branch, and had become a Director of priority global partners with a lot of responsibility.

But as I got older, I realized that something was missing. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my job and I loved interacting with new people all over the globe, but that desire to write (the one that had always been there) started to get bigger, and more insistent. So I listened to it and I started writing again. And I realized that my voice had been there all along, but it just hadn’t been ready. Now it was. A few months later, an early draft of Bloodspell was born, and the rest is history.

*pushes soapbox to middle of room*

The point of this ramble is that it’s important to listen to what your heart says, and to not give up on your dreams. Believe in yourself, and anything is possible. There may be a few hurdles to overcome before you get there, but if you don’t give up on yourself, you will get there. If you want to be a writer, a dancer, an astronaut, an engineer – do everything you have to do to make it happen. No one can tell you that you can’t be something or do something. That said, I understand that life can sometimes get in the way of dreams. That doesn’t mean your dreams are over, they’re just temporarily on hold, like mine were. Look at my journey … the truth is the path to success isn’t a straight line, it’s a squiggling swirly mess. I laughed out loud when a friend of mine posted the inset “success” image on Facebook because it’s so true. Life isn’t a straight line either. Why should success be any different?

But if you don’t give up or get discouraged by the setbacks, you will get there. Embrace the journey. The human will is incredibly tenacious, so grasp ahold of those dreams no matter how big or small, and don’t stop believing!

And yes, you can totally hum the Journey song while reading this post. I did while writing it!

5 Comments on Don’t Stop Believing

  1. Mala
    October 3, 2011 at 11:32 am (12 years ago)

    Maybe I should have you pen my life story. I love you sweetie. You’re the best:)

    Reply
  2. Jeunille
    October 2, 2011 at 6:39 pm (12 years ago)

    For real! This is absolutely the truth.

    Reply
  3. Wanda
    October 2, 2011 at 1:14 pm (12 years ago)

    Actually I am. I’m working on both of them. I just need to keep writing.

    Reply
  4. admin
    October 2, 2011 at 12:54 pm (12 years ago)

    Aww, thanks Wanda! You are awesome and inspiring to me also! 🙂 Now get back to writing that book!!! x

    Reply
  5. Wanda
    October 2, 2011 at 12:51 pm (12 years ago)

    I’m so glad you decided to continue your passion. I loved your book and I loooveee you too!!! You’re just amazing!!!

    Reply

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