Gratefulness for the journey is such a hard thing to allow yourself to feel as a writer. The hustle of author marketing work, the intense pull of creative writing, and the long road before success is seen; can make the journey so unbearable that you just want to move through to the end.
One of the reasons I am journalling and blogging more is to keep a record of the many feelings, emotions, and cycles I experience when working on my writing career. Right now, I am at a precipice. I have such a happy high. I am approaching the launch of my very special book baby, Cherrywood Inn: A Legacy. But I am also at the edge of failure to follow thru for my next goal. I feel as though if I do not use the momentum to get further along in my writing of book 2 in this series, I will lose the success I have yet to accomplish. Now full disclosure, God has already shown me where this series is going to take me. I have had views, dreams, and daydreams of what Cherrywood Inn will be to readers and viewers. So a part of my push and drive forward is to get to that moment. But I have realized this week that I haven’t always been grateful for this hard journey.
Even on the edge of change, there should be pause.
Well, as it is said, once you know better, do better. So I would like to take the time to share parts of this journey, which I am still in, that I am grateful for. Here goes:
Grateful to God for the continual ideas- This goes without saying, but I feel the need this week to say it. Thank you God for all of it!
Grateful for the rough period in June of last year when I thought I would never finish this story.
Grateful for my tribe, circle, my family, and friends who single-handedly crowdfunding my editor bill in February and March of this year. My work would have never made it through to publishing without the support.
Grateful to my writing coach and editor for providing help and guidance well beyond the contractual period. Katie and Kristen, you are real gems.
Grateful for my in-house family support during my writer’s retreat and the full month of NaNoWriMo.
Grateful to the vendors, banks, and external organizations who have had a hand in the design and printing process.
Grateful for the power in this laptop and its ability to keep pushing through. We got this!
This is a short list and of course not all-inclusive. The list is clear enough to keep my heart and eyes on this journey. I am seeing all the things that 10 years ago as a writer I prayed for happening. I prayed for a position, or day life that would allow me to write more. I got that. I prayed for writing friendships and a support system. I got that. I prayed for direction in my writing voice. I wanted focus and confidence on who I am as a writer. God gave me that. I can proudly say, I am a romance author.
Today I pause to be grateful for the journey.