It is hard to believe that in less than a month one of my dreams will have come true! It seems like a lifetime ago when I started writing Always and Forever. I was 7 month pregnant with twins and on bed rest when I first started writing about Ava and Shadow Hill, trying to keep my mind active and focused on something other than the uncomfortable aches and pains in my legs from being on bed rest.
Now, 3 years later, Always and Forever is the first book of a series. I started back into writing the third book in the series a month ago and have been getting chills as I determine the future for Ava and Shadow Hill. I have am filled with excitement thinking of my readers taking this journey with me, and hope that while reading these stories you will all become as connected to these characters as I have.
If nothing else, this experience has taught me to be brave. I have always been stifled worrying about what others will think of me, never taking risks, rather making choices I know I would be successful at. Life is easier that way, right? As I have gotten older, and dare I say wiser, I realized I want to be a role model of confidence for my children. I am pretty good at "acting" confident, but that was because I always try to be in situations where I knew what to expect, not leaving my comfort zone. The process of getting a book published has definitely been outside of my comfort zone.
Every time I write, every time I edit my stories, I feel proud. Writing a novel is not easy, and certainly takes time, and I am proud that I have been able to balance being a loving and present mom for my kids, a partner
to my husband, a prepared and engaged teacher, all while writing a story about characters that I have grown to love. I tell my kids and my students each day to believe it themselves, that they can do anything they can put their mind to. I know that no matter what happens, I did just that, and will never look back
again and wonder "what if?"
I would love to hear your experiences of a time when you took a chance, went out of your comfort zone, and reached for the stars!
I hope you all will enjoy reading Always and Forever as much as I loved writing it!
Now, 3 years later, Always and Forever is the first book of a series. I started back into writing the third book in the series a month ago and have been getting chills as I determine the future for Ava and Shadow Hill. I have am filled with excitement thinking of my readers taking this journey with me, and hope that while reading these stories you will all become as connected to these characters as I have.
If nothing else, this experience has taught me to be brave. I have always been stifled worrying about what others will think of me, never taking risks, rather making choices I know I would be successful at. Life is easier that way, right? As I have gotten older, and dare I say wiser, I realized I want to be a role model of confidence for my children. I am pretty good at "acting" confident, but that was because I always try to be in situations where I knew what to expect, not leaving my comfort zone. The process of getting a book published has definitely been outside of my comfort zone.
Every time I write, every time I edit my stories, I feel proud. Writing a novel is not easy, and certainly takes time, and I am proud that I have been able to balance being a loving and present mom for my kids, a partner
to my husband, a prepared and engaged teacher, all while writing a story about characters that I have grown to love. I tell my kids and my students each day to believe it themselves, that they can do anything they can put their mind to. I know that no matter what happens, I did just that, and will never look back
again and wonder "what if?"
I would love to hear your experiences of a time when you took a chance, went out of your comfort zone, and reached for the stars!
I hope you all will enjoy reading Always and Forever as much as I loved writing it!