Keep On Keeping On

Our family recently connected with old friends we haven't seen for a long time. Toward the end of the evening, we started talking about books with their two older girls,12 and 13. Both are avid readers and connecting with book enthusiasts is always the highlight of any social engagement for me.

We talked about books a lot and exchanged a few recommendations, then the conversation pivoted to the creative side of putting a good tale together. It was heartwarming to see their eyes light up as we all brainstormed a brilliant murder mystery that involved an underestimated genius girl athlete who is determined to join the boys' volleyball team (or was it soccer...? we'll decide later). Yes, she is just that good. Against all odds, she makes it into the team, but a murder in the locker room puts the long awaited championship on hold and... all evidence points to her.

I had such a great time with them creating possible villains, developing the character of the protagonist and thinking of red herrings we could sprinkle in the story to keep the readers on the edges of their seats.

On the way home, I thought of the oft repeated statistic that 97% of people who start writing a book never finish it. I haven't been able to find a source for where that figure came from, but I can certainly believe it. Minutes, months, days and years pour into words on a page that one hopes will transport the reader into a different world and make them laugh or cry and ultimately create a connection.

There are lots of reasons one would not finish writing a book. One of my biggest roadblocks these past few years was when I tried to write alone. That just didn't work! Having a wonderful writing community to bounce ideas off of and get inspiration from is a godsend for me. There were, and still are, times when my inner critic asks me why I have the audacity to think that my story will matter to anyone. I try not to give her much weight.

I also reflected on how we all have these same roadblocks in other parts of our lives too and perhaps they hold us back without us realizing it. Just think of any challenge you faced- were you able to overcome it without a community, a friend, a colleague or family member by your side? Could you have gotten over that challenge without ignoring your inner critic?

Besides some quality family time, this summer has been all about the latest round of revisions of my book- Born at the End of the World. I've spent over four hours a day in this break refining each chapter with feedback from beta readers and my editor. I am so grateful to those in my author community who have faith in this little dream of mine and support me without even reading a word. YOU are the community that lifts me up and keeps me going.

Asante Sana!

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