So a round of reviews have come in, and another round still to come in mid-September. I am reflecting on my earlier post, “To be or not to be reviewed.” It didn’t hurt to keep my fingers crossed because so far, they have been mostly positive. Of course, I dreaded reading the negative parts because I expected the negatives would have been worse. After all, Consonance is my first novel.
Now the reviews are trickling in and I’m expected to finish my task. That goal is to complete the series. I thought I was in over my head with a novel, but to write a series, I am crazy! Being a caring nurse, a loving mother, and a devoted wife is all I know. To be a writer is new territory for me. I endured the sleepless nights of revising x 3, the frustrations of creating a scene, keeping a character’s dialogue consistent and believable. My list could go on, and despite all the irritating homework, I enjoyed writing the book.
I realized that I can do more when I challenge myself. Personal growth is rewarding, setting goals and accomplishing the first one is a wonderful feeling. I learned something about myself, I’m stronger and determined than I thought. With a lot of faith, I can do anything.
I’m aware that some people don’t take me seriously as a writer. The fact I was able to write a story when I didn’t think I could taught me this: if you have a story to tell, there is someone out there willing to read it. It doesn’t matter if it’s one, ten, or hundreds, there is an audience waiting for entertainment.
Like a teacher reading to his/her class full of bright-eyed little children in anticipation for the ending, make your story be heard. Let your voice sing through each chapter. Listen for the applause at the finish of your last sentence. You’ll never know what you’re capable of unless you try.
One of the reviewers recently posted one of his favorite quote after submitting his review, “Our greatest mistake is to fear making one.” It made a lasting impression on me. If I’m afraid of my vulnerability, I would not have discovered something about my abilities. That I’m not bad, “not bad at all.”
Many thanks to the first round of reviewers:
http://lisafobia.blogspot.com/
http://samerkauthor.wordpress.com/
http://freeworldauthors.com/blog/
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