I picked this quote today because I am working on revisions again on my novel in the pursuit of my own dream. I received some great comments from another author in my anthology who agreed to be a beta reader, review my manuscript, and send me honest and direct comments. Her thoughts were exactly that, honest and direct with some smiley faces too. And they were spot on. She mentioned some critical pieces I hadn’t thought about before. Her thoughts made me think deeper, and I loved them. Sometimes we get too close to our dreams and we need a little distance. Distance is hard. It’s hard to let go and think your work might need a little more improvement. But work is always a time for learning and growing, and I don’t think we ever stop doing either one. So naturally, strength is important. So is commitment to the process when it feels like you’ve already invested so much time. Humbleness, definitely. And a strong belief in the steps I’m in, right here, right now.

My plan.

I’m acknowledging the flaws in my thoughts and I’m thankful for her insights, and I’m also grateful for the time off I’d had to work on another project. To keep my mood and attitude running happy and full speed, I might need to revisit my personal missions statement for a little strength. That’s where the foundation begins, with who we are and what we want. Then of course, I have to carve out my next steps. Thinking. Brainstorming. I’m reworking chapter one, the most pivotal chapter in my book and I’m restructuring the flow into the next few chapters, enhancing the plot, shifting the character relationships a bit. My new theme focuses on forgiveness and friendship. What happens when our faith in others dwindle, maybe it’s really the faith in ourselves.

The picture of the lions made me think of my best brainstorming partner in the world. Becky. She’s doing the same thing I’m doing, trying to chase a dream of writing and keeping the momentum high. We help each other. We roll ideas constantly off of each other. And whenever I’m down about a plot line in a story, we text, or she texts me. So lions are a symbol of courage, and these two lions are hanging out, and taking a drink of water. I like to think of it as a brief little break, but with eyes still focused on the dream.

Success comes from ourselves and also the help from others. So thank you Anna. Thank you Becky. Thank you both for pushing me and helping me be the writer and author I want to be. Thank you to my family, too.

source

Believe in you. Hugs and Happy Monday.

A Bit About the Book:

In 2132, “We the people …” means nothing, and it hasn’t for a hundred years.

Or is she? Are they?

Erianna thinks going to Perry Road and joining the national registration program is her next step toward adulthood; the 2132 candidates for adult-classification, though, are in for a big surprise. Especially Erianna.

Thanks to Zane Warren, an awkward but hot guy who won’t shut up about a history that doesn’t—or shouldn’t—matter anymore, Erianna will know. Will learn. That includes finding out what actually happens after registration and doing something, anything, about it.

Fixing what went wrong, what caused the U.S.A. to split into two countries, though, is not on Erianna’s bucket list, but as she faces her future, she must decide whether to fall in line with the American Union’s plan for her, or to consider that Zane might not be wrong, and the time for revolution begins now.

I had a really geat bio in my head around midnight one night …. right before I fell asleep and it disappeared into the nothingness of unconsciousness. Bummer. So here’s something less well thought out.

I want to be young again, so I’m kinda sorta living it again. At least on paper. You see, I write paranormal romance. Now, that stuff can get really hot, and really gritty and well … mine does. But! My characters are teenagers, 18 and under. Like I was once … and want to be again.

Why would I want to be a teenager again? Geez. Because! If you met the man of your dreams at 14 was engaged to him at 19 and married him at 20, wouldn’t YOU want to do all that over again? Especially if you were still in love with him? I mean, c’mon! It’s love! That’s why I write, too.

You see… just because you pass a certain age doesn’t mean you forget what it was like to be 14, 15, etc. Actually, because I kinda grew up with my husband, we both still feel like the 14 and 17 year old kids we once were. So that’s where I’m coming from. You might think it’s totally lame, but you know what? That’s ok! Maybe you’ll like my other me instead.

A Bit Of A Sneak Peek

“Well?” Cam asks.

For some reason, I don’t want her to know. I want to find out by myself if I’m going to get a real life, or if I’m destined to wear hand-me-downs from twenty years ago until I’m ninety. I want to prepare, to plan, to cry if we don’t get to go together, or if I’m not like her.

I’m not, of course—in any way like her. Who am I kidding?

After what seems like hours, but is only seconds, I say, “Nothing.”

“Damn.” She throws her arms up in the air. “Figures. And it’s almost five. So, you know, I gotta go. Mom’s sure I’m going to be chosen to pop out babies, like she is, so she wants to make sure I know how to cook before the fake chefs get ahold of me to ‘teach’ me.” Cam gives me a dramatic eye roll and places a hand to her forehead. “Like, oh, my Oz, Eri, you know? We have people to cook for us for a reason. Duh! If I learn to cook, what job am I going to give someone like your mom, you know? And why would I get picked to be fat and ugly when I look like this?” She bats at her blonde curls.

Wanting to change the subject—to anything but the woes of Cam’s perfect life—I walk to her, give her a hug and a quick pat on the back. “I’ll … call you when I get it, ‘kay?”

“You better. We only have two days to shop for the perfect outfit. Why couldn’t your birthday be October twenty-ninth instead of December?” She snatches up her coat—preparation for the winter blast that will tear into uncovered skin. “And … you’re not a fluke. You will get in the white house, and when January first comes, we’ll be official!” She boogies her way out, hips wiggling. For someone who’s not happy about the prospect of becoming a baby factory, she’s awfully chipper.

I know it’s because she’s waiting to hear my fate. To prove I’m not a fluke. To validate my relevance as her friend—the one girl Cam can give backhanded compliments, and, for that matter, insults all day long, and still walk back in with a smile as if nothing happened.

Cam walks through the hallway and says goodbye to my mom who’s probably still working at her makeshift office in our miniature kitchen—trying, I assume, to avoid the whole days’ events. As much as Cam wants me to not be a fluke, my mom wants me to be one. If I’m like her, nothing will change. Like Cam, I’ll be the same old Erianna, just one day older and as useless as all the other flukes in the world.

The front door opens and closes, and I move to the window. Once Cam disappears from view, and only then, I turn over my P-Comm and touch the one message that sits inside.

The one that says: “Invitation for Erianna Price Keating.”
Giveaway!

Running from September 2 – October 10, with a plethora of prizes! Or, if you just can’t wait, below, you can buy it now for just $2.99!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where to Buy It?

For a muse like Lucianíel, one story’s end is another’s beginning.

In the wake of his author’s sudden death, Luc takes ownership of her surviving creations—four fantastical characters with tales yet to be told—saving them from unwritten lives crumbling around them and giving them a second chance at a literary future.

Luc finds that chance in the unsuspecting mind of Annabelle Iole Gray, a quirky teen with her head in the clouds, nose in a book, and imagination ripe for a brilliant muse’s inspiration.

Or so he hopes.