It's official. We had an amazing launch party for my first Darcy Moreland Mystery, Rough Ride, published by Camel Press. This was a celebration of a dream, finally realized. Everyone has dreams, but the day-to-days intrude. There are jobs, kids, and a long list of to dos. Sometimes you can eke out a little time to follow your passion. So it was with this book. Blessed with a husband who encouraged me and a daughter who was happy just to sit under my desk in the storage room as long as she had an endless supply of paper to draw on. I finished the book, or so I thought. Next came the daunting job of sending it out and getting rejected. I joined a critique group and gave my manuscript to any friend who said they wanted to read it. Meanwhile, I heard at a conference that while you are trying to find a home for your book, you need to keep writing. I got rejected so much that I wrote two more books in the series and finished another book, not in the series.
I sometimes lost heart and thought my dream was impossible, but I couldn't let go of it. I think that's the trick. Whatever your dream is, it is achievable if you keep learning and working toward it.
I would not have realized my dream if I hadn't had the support of friends and family. There is no greater gift you can give someone you love than being there to encourage them when the going is tough and to rejoice with them about the minor victories along the way.
I have been very blessed!