Checking In

November 18, 2024

The last few months have been an absolute whirlwind! Between writing, editing and finally publishing my first book, IDK What To Say: A Guide For Navigating Social Situations, returning to work and back to school season, launching my author website and social accounts AND beginning every day at 6am sharp to work on writing my novel, Amber Luna, My Bright Light  ... Phew ... my original little corner of the internet here on blogger just about slipped my mind. Sorry it took me so long to make my way back!

As I've been working on reaching more readers through socials and events, I've been truly humbled by and am grateful for the show of support from both family, friends, and yes, even strangers on the internet. There's no greater feeling than knowing your true self is finally in alignment with what you're actually doing with your life. Achieving my dream of being a published author doesn't mean all of life's problems have magically melted away overnight. I'm not prancing through flowering meadows wearing a cape and sun hat just because I have a link on Amazon! Responsibilities and the realities of everyday life remain. But taking steps to do what I know in my heart I'm meant to do gives me peace, despite all of life's challenges. Being my most authentic self is the ultimate goal and I'm learning new things about myself every day.

I think as a writer the most important mission is to help others be their authentic self. There's so much more to being an author than writing just for the sake of telling a story and hoping it keeps a reader's attention for a couple of hours. The real goal of a story, the characters, the struggles they face and the things they overcome, is to write in a way that makes a reader feel like you're really with them- on their front porch, riding as the passenger in their car on a long road trip, wherever, and telling them, "You aren't the only one that has felt this way or thought that mean thing or struggled with a weakness that you're too ashamed to admit to anyone. Don't believe me? Let me introduce you to this character that I think you'll be able to relate to."

Yes, people read to escape reality, to have a good laugh, to be swept away by a romance or transported to the future in a dystopian world. But sometimes, I think we read to figure out how to make it through our own lives, and hopefully, how to do life better. Writing creates a space where inspiration and clarity align and provide the key to understanding ourselves and each other. This is the true power that comes from being a writer. Harnessing this power requires not only skill but also empathy, courage, and authenticity to express the human experience with honesty and integrity.

This is my intention. This is my purpose. Keep Shining!