Wistful Wednesday

How Things Change

As I sit here writing this post, I can't help but to reflect upon how things change - and how quickly it can happen. Just two weeks ago, I was at a crossroads in my life where I was actually contemplating whether or not to continue with the pursuit of publishing. Last week, I received a bit of encouraging news when I made it through the first round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest.

This week, I received news that I won another contest that I had entered, this one sponsored by Romance Junkies. What makes this one special is that, after being voted upon by readers - who helped me move on despite the fact that I was in a three-way tie for the third spot in the finals - my story was chosen by Heather Osborn of TOR as the winner. Now I get to send her a partial of my story! Oh, and I won a netbook, too!

So this little bit is not me bragging about my good fortune. It is about me trying to encourage anyone who is - or will be - at the point I was at two weeks ago. If, like me, you were ready to give up because you kept hitting brick walls, if you truly believe in yourself and your writing - don't. Don't give up. You just never know when or how your life can change. Yes, there's no guarantee that either of these things will lead me to greater successes on their own, but they've both served to bring me closer - and to renew my faith and hope in myself as well as my desire to be more successful at writing.

So please, if you feel despondent and ready to give up hope, leave a comment here and I'll try to talk you through it. For here is an instance where I can honestly say, I know just how you feel.

Thank you so much for being a part of the roller coaster journey of my path to publishing success!