Most people have goals whether they are daily, weekly, yearly, or lifelong ones. One of my goals has always been to write a novel. Well, I wrote my first one, Weather Permitting, over ten years ago, but never published it. When I finished novel number two, Relative Consequences, I was determined to get it published, and I finally did it. I sometimes have to pinch myself that I actually accomplished this feat. However, I’ve got the scars to prove it. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that writing a book is easy.
To achieve that goal, I walked or trudged the road of insecurity and frustration for many years. I know I must have changed the beginning and the ending of this novel at least fifty times. It’s always been a work-in-progress until I bit the bullet and said YES, it’s finished.
Now, I’m no spring chicken, more like a mature (I hate to say old) well-preserved hen. It took a while for me to get my act together, but I was still able to accomplish this long-term objective. My only regret is that I didn’t start sooner. I wasted a lot of time. I shouldn’t have used life as an excuse not to do what I really wanted to do. My advice to someone who is trying to decide whether to make a stab at an ambition or goal is don’t hesitate. Don’t wait until something gets in the way or sidetracks you. Life has a way of doing that.
Like Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.” You wake up one morning, look in the mirror and gasp. Who is that person? The one who obviously didn’t get enough sleep last night; the one whose eyes have shrunken into little black dots on a wrinkly face. Don’t make the mistake of wasting time that could be used toward making a dream come true.
To quote Steve Perry of Journey,
“Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to that feelin’…”
So, don’t give up, keep at it! Although it’s sometimes a long road to get there, you can achieve what you want –whether you’re writing a book, starting a small business, saving for retirement, or taking a chance. I say go for it!
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This Saturday, March 12, is my BOOK LAUNCH DAY or PUB Day (in the biz). My novel, RELATIVE CONSEQUENCES, will officially be for sale and “on the shelves” as they say. I’m so thrilled! I’m having a small get-together with family and a few friends to celebrate the event and plan to shoot video and an interview to share in my next post and on social media.
Thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered Relative Consequences. I appreciate your support so much. If you do get a chance to read it, please post a short review on Amazon, Bookbub, Barnes & Noble, or BookBaby BookShop. It doesn’t have to be a reiteration of the plot or summary, just a phrase or two. I really appreciate your support!
https://bit.ly/3IMV1Nk https://amzn.to/3GN4l1M
Sincerely thankful,
Jody Herpin
Jody Herpin 