To Write, Perhaps

Sometime roughly five years ago, a little voice inside me said, "You should write a book."

To be honest, I've always enjoyed reading more than writing, and especially reading trilogies or series. Anything that can pick me up and plop me in an alternate reality for a short while. I like to get so wrapped up in the storyline and the characters that when it's over I always feel like I'm missing something. And I am. I'm missing the magic it made me feel while I was reading it. That magical feeling you get when you are so vested in the characters and so into the alternate reality that you just cannot stop turning pages. You know you never want it to end at the same time you hurriedly keep flipping pages. I'm addicted to that feeling. I chase it in book after book after book. So at first, I told that little voice she was a lunatic.

As a teacher, I always read the books my students were into. The popular ones eventually made into movies, and the not so popular ones too. As I became older and continued to read young adult books, I just kept thinking there were parts I would do differently. I would always think up alternate endings or different conversations for my beloved characters. And then that little voice again said, "You should write a book." Because if I wrote my own book and had my own story, I would have the freedom to do whatever I wanted for the characters.

Keep in mind, this wasn't a realized dream of mine until out of college. I didn't take writing classes or major in writing, and I had no idea how to go about doing this. But for some reason, I listened to that little voice.

Five years.

It has taken me five whole years of writing, research, and plain ol' hard work to finally have something to present to you. I have put my blood, sweat, and tears into honing this craft.

And at times it has really sucked. This has been one of the hardest things I've set out to do. This isn't the first book I've written. But, I hope it's the first of many books that I get the honor of introducing you to.

It isn't perfect. I've experienced so very many emotions in this process and more than once walked away from my computer convinced I didn't have what it takes...

...but I just kept coming back. I kept going.

After all this time, I'm still not certain that I have the natural talent to achieve all my dreams as a writer. I'm not certain a single person (other than my mom, of course) will buy my book. But what I am certain of, is that hard work pays off. And I've never been afraid to work hard.

So, here we are. It's been harder than I ever could have imagined and I knew it wasn't going to be easy peasy going in. But, I am finally ready for you to meet the characters I have been carrying with me these last years. I am absolutely horrified to put my work out there. Completely 100%, knee-shaking terrified. At this point, I feel I owe it to the characters to publish. I could work on this series for another five years and I still wouldn't be convinced it was perfect or good enough. It has come a long way. So I'm ready for some feedback...good, bad, or ugly.

Getting to this point, of course, would not be possible without my loved ones and supporters. Thank you especially to my husband, who when I first admitted I wanted to write a book, instead of laughing at me, he simply looked at me and said, "I think you'd be great at it." He chooses to love me unconditionally and is my soundboard for all things writing. I would never have started if it weren't for him. He protects my dream in supporting me every step of the way. And he has read every word of every draft. In other words...he's pretty much amazing.

And thank you to the rest of you, you know who you are, that were the people that lifted me up, dusted me off, and pointed me back in the direction of my laptop. Thank you for your love and support and for not being the people I have to prove wrong.

Because let's be honest. Not everyone was super supportive of this silly dream of mine and I was laughed at on more than one occasion. Or people just didn't "get it".

"Why would you want to write a book?"

"You can't make any money at that."

It isn't about the money, though admittedly I would love to be able to write full-time someday. It's about creating that alternate reality. That magical feeling for all of you. Taking you on that journey with me. Unless you are a lover of books like I am, you won't get that. And that's okay.

I just hope I do my characters justice and you love them a fraction of the amount I do. And I hope more than anything you feel that magical feeling.

So without further ramblings, I'm pleased to announce my first book will be available to purchase on October 14th, which also just so happens to be my very first 29th birthday. More information will be released to you in the coming days so stay tuned.

I'm terrified. And excited. And terrified.

It is going to be a crazy, emotional couple of weeks. Send tea and cookies. Stat!