Read this the next time you’re ready to give up on your dream.

I have always been a reader. I think I was a reader before I was able to read. I was raised in a home full of books. I can remember gathering a STACK of books, and my mom reading each and every one to me (multiple times, I’m sure). I’m sure my mother never wants to read a Berenstain Bears book again even 30 years later.

The thing about really bookish people is that our love of reading usually leads to a love of writing and a dream of being an author. Most of us don’t ever write that book. Even less end up being a bona-fide, published author. So many of us give up without trying.

True, not everyone needs to be an author. Like other childhood dreams, being a writer goes  the way of being an astronaut-fairy princess policeman. They grow up and find something else that becomes THE dream. Then, they chase that dream with a fury and never think about being an author again.

The ones who never let go of that dream though often give up anyway. Why? Well, odds are, you won’t get published. Odds are you will never have a bestseller and will never get to have tea with J.K. Rowling. So, people keep that dream tucked away and never do anything about it because life gets in the way or they don’t want to fail.

I know. I was that person. I gave up after being told by a high school English teacher that I wasn’t good enough. I gave up when medications for a health issue in college seemed to disconnect the synapses needed to write coherently. I gave up when I needed to just find a job and be a grown up. I gave up when I found myself pregnant unexpectedly and bogged down with anxiety and exhaustion.

Then, I realized that it was impossible to NOT write. I have lived with this story that I absolutely HAVE to tell. If I don’t get this out, I will have not done the one thing. I will not have chased THE dream. Plus, I REALLY want to have tea with J.K. Rowling. (Call me, Jo?)

I’m poor. I’m busy chasing two toddlers. I stay up late and I get up early. I write during naps and while they play outside. It sucks some days. It gets hard and they interrupt. They have asked 500 questions and requested my help 20 times while I write this post.

So, what is your dream? What is the big thing you struggle and fight to do? Don’t give up. DO NOT GIVE UP. It isn’t impossible. Focus on the small step you CAN do today toward that dream. Do it.

My Latest Obsession…

I don’t have to tell other writers (especially freelancers) about the 5 million gurus who will tell you everything you need to know to wake up a millionaire tomorrow. They are EVERYWHERE. They are full of unrealistic, really terrible advice. No one is getting rich off their advice except them.

So, imagine my surprise when I stumbled across Melissa! She is a-maze-balls. Seriously, no more smarmy, salesy advice. Plus, she makes me snort laugh, FULL ON WEIRD NOSE NOISES. I got to spend a week in her Obsession preview class and let me tell you. She has nailed it. This was not another free training that is really just a long infomercial. She brought it all to the table.

In a business that is run by big egos and selfish intentions, Melissa is a breath of fresh, generosity-filled air. (And I am not just saying that because I won a sweet prize! What?!?!)

Seriously, if you are wanting to take your business to the next level but want to do it right, you need to check out Melissa’s Obsessed course. A full year of awesome advice, challenges and attention from the best? YES PLEASE!

And hey, if you are just getting started and that just isn’t in the cards yet, check out her self-paced training, The Swirl Effect. Everything this girl does is bangin, on point phenomenal.

Oh NaNoWriMo…

It is November so of course I am slogging away to write my first project ever for National Novel Writing Month. I am so excited to see if I can knock out the first 50,000 words toward my first novel, Winds of Revelation.

I am so thrilled with this project and just cannot stop the ideas from bubbling up. Now for the hard part of organizing them all and getting it down on paper. I cannot wait to complete this and share it with all of you. Here is a little look forward to where I am going…

Of course, as always happens, I spent my first full day of the month busy with the little minions instead of being able to write. I am sure it will not be the only day that makes this challenge all the more interesting. For now, I am going to jump back into the world of Nievgorow and see what secrets Will is uncovering today.

Anyone else participating? Share your username in the comments and let’s be buddies!