Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Hey, Universe!

It's one of those things you try to hide. You don't tell your spouse or your sister or best friend. Even when the topic turns to goals and dreams, you don't mention it. You barely admit it to yourself. Your writing group is usually the first to know.

But I was at the dentist with children last week and the lady behind the desk I'll call Sandy, because that's her name, asked if I was still writing. (She knows I write for the Beehive Newspaper). I said yes, and then I blurted, "I'm writing a novel." Then, because she asked, I told her what it was about.

This has been happening with more and more frequency over the last several months, so, yes, I've pretty much outed myself. I've told the universe that I am writing a novel. It all started at the writer's retreat last July, when Joan Sowards happened by my little computer table, noticed the first chapter of my manuscript and asked to read it. I didn't know what to say, but yes, so she did and that led to me actually allowing others to read it--members of my writing chapter and even Kerry Blair, who, for the record, gave a positive response. I went on to even allow my husband to read the first few chapters and I caught my 15-year-old son reading it off the computer the other night when he should have been in bed. Now it has become a not-so-far-out-there proposition. Mom's writing a novel and she wants to publish it. It could happen.

I like how it feels to be doing something I've wanted to do for a very long time (my story idea first came to me in 1997--at least my earliest notes on it are from that time period) and that people seem to be fine with it and are even supportive. (Check the acknowlegements when my book is published, you'll all be mentioned!)

Anyway, it's very freeing to just let it out. (Still a bit scary, too, but freeing.) What is your dream? I daresay the universe is waiting to hear from you!

[Originally published at anwafounder.blogspot.com, 3/24/2009]

8 comments:

Sheila Wilkerson said...

Valerie...this is SO cool! Someday I will be able to say I know a famous person, and I knew her when...Happy trails and I hope you will sign my copy. :)

Krista Darrach said...

Awesome Valerie, love your blog! AND I love this post! (as you know). I'm happy to have another blog to follow. Good luck to us both on our "novel" journey to publication....
~K

Brittney Blount said...

Wow, I didn't know this about you! Very cool!!

Anonymous said...

WAHOO! This will be an exciting adventure...thanks for sharing it with us!

Rebecca Talley said...

It is very scary to actually admit to the world that you want to write. In fact, I didn't really tell anyone until after my picture book was published.

Good for you.

Great blog and nice to finally see a face to go with your name.

Stacy G. Anderson said...

Valerie,

Your Blog looks great and we're all cheering you on! Let me know if I can do anything to help....

Hugs galore,
Stacy

La Mujer Loca said...

Know what you're feeling. Been there . . . actually, I'm still there:)

Steph Anderson--ANWA chick

LeeAnne Hanks said...

From just reading your blog, I can tell you've got the personality to write and sell a book (the latter half is equally important). My first novel "Within the Flame", a YA Fiction, has just hit the shelves and it's even more nerve wracking than the first time you give your BF your manuscript and as for an honest opinion, but hope deep down she'll just like it! Haha. Good luck!
~LeeAnne Hanks
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/WithintheFlame.html

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails