For this weeks blog I wanted to do something a little bit different, so bare with me. While, my editor is taking a look at my book, I figured this would be a good time to play around with my blogs a bit and really go into what writing means to me, my crazy process, and why I continue to do it. When I first started this journey confidence was definitely an issue. I always want to completely be vulnerable in my writing and pore my heart out on each page, which let me tell you is completely terrifying, but for me necessary. My most recent project, The Power Within series, has been an incredibly rewarding experience, which makes my vulnerability well worth it. With each review, new person I get to connect with, and with each story we share together I know I am on the path that I am meant to be on. Am I the perfect writer? No, definitely not, but I love what I do, which keeps me going. Everyday I get to sit down and make new worlds come to life, I get to teach while entertain, I get to spread my message of always loving who you are! I still can't believe how much this story and my message has been embraced, but I will be forever thankful that people are hearing and loving my voice.
People ask me what my writing process is all the time now and to be honest it is nothing that spectacular. I force myself to write something everyday even if it turns out to be terrible, because that at least is a thought that could potentially turn into something amazing later. While I am in writing mode I try to completely be in my story, which makes sleeping sometimes an issue, but my brain likes to always be thinking. I want my readers to feel as if I am talking directly to them, so after I write something I read it to a friend and see if it feels natural. For my middle grade fiction series, The Power Within, I wrote from the perspective of my autistic daughter, Daphne, so for this I wanted the readers to hear her voice and be taken away to her world. It at times was not easy, I had to stay genuine to her, but it was well worth it. If you are someone who wants to write, my advice to you is to find your passion and your writer's voice will follow. Passion for me is number one. The other stuff can come with practice.
Okay, so back to the confidence thing. Let me tell you when I first start writing not only was I scared to death of what people would think, but I was also petrified to put myself out there, like really out there. I couldn't hide behind a desk anymore. I am still nervous at every event I work. My first live reading, holy moly I felt like my heart and stomach were about to no longer be on the inside, but I made it through. It was a great learning experience. I am now traveling, being a featured guest, and doing talks. I had to get pictures taken for autographing for my featured guest spot. The first thought I had was, "Who would want a picture of me?" I went ahead and got pictures taken despite that voice in my head saying that I wasn't important enough to have autographing photos. With each photo shoot my confidence has boomed! I was really surprised by that. Between the photo shoots and connecting with fans of my book I have realized that I can do this and that silly voice in my head needs to just be quiet. To really put myself out there I am going to share some of my favorite pictures by some super talented photographers. I want people to be proud of who they are and rock it, so if I want to spread that message, I better be willing to live it. Here I am rocking it.
I am going to end this little blog post with my message I share in both books, You are strong, you are beautiful, you are perfect exactly how you are! Thank you!
photo by V photography
photo by Jsphotostl