once or taken the wrong path, but I look around me now and smile.
I am where I want to be, with whom I want to be, doing what I want to
do. Getting here was a convoluted journey with plenty of missteps and mistakes along the way, but I firmly believe that if you are finally where you are happy you can let go of the rest and not waste precious time regretting the 'how' of it. In fact, all those so called missteps and mistakes can help in developing the characters you write about making them live and breathe and take on all the nuances we possess as human
beings.
People are complex...layer upon layer. Life's experiences wrap around each of us and shape us into who we are or, most often, we shape ourselves with our choices. If you have chosen to be a writer, make your characters as multi
dimensional as you are. The dark and the light and the many shades of gray in between.
Believe in the power of your words. Believe in yourself and keep
going. There will be those who love what you write and those that are less than flattering. Take what you can learn from both and move on.
My mother had the first poem she ever submitted rejected and never wrote
again. Indie authors have a wonderful opportunity to push past those 'gatekeepers' and connect with the world. It's a gift of our
times. The support is out there…other authors, readers, bloggers…the list goes on and on. Don't let self-doubt be your biggest obstacle in achieving your
dream. Go for it!