Find Your Magic.

I've gotten a few emails lately that have actually made me cry. I literally had silent tears streaming down my face. I love hearing about all of your writing endeavors and I'm so humbled to hear that my writing has helped you in any way.

Now that I have BlackMoon Beginnings and Scorching Secrets out in the public, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. I feel like a lot of us writers and readers can relate to each other in some way. To me, reading is an escape. I read because for a short period of time, I'm somewhere else. My mind is focused on something else and I forget about everything going on around me. I write...just because I love to. Before I use to think that I liked writing because I was in control...but I'm not. My characters are in control. It's their story--not mine.

Let me give you a little background about me: I was and still am a very self-conscious person. I don't have much self-confidence. I'm a relatively shy person.I'm easy target. I can't stand up to people. I have trouble saying no, because I hate disappointing people. I can't lie. I will start laughing or just creepily smile at you. But that's okay. I'm slowly coming out of my shell. I'm slowly gaining a backbone and becoming more assertive. College has helped me realize that there's no need to be shy. We all have different experiences and besides a select few people, no one cares. They don't care that you were the nerd in high school. College is a clean slate. I feel that it has helped me a lot with my insecurities.

Writing is a release for me. Reading is a release for me. When I decided to write, I just wanted someone to relate to my story. I wanted someone to read my book and be inspired. I wanted someone to read it and think they could do that too. I'm not talking ending a supernatural war like Ryanne is attempting to do. I'm talking about overcoming insecurities and putting yourself out there. Writing and publishing is hard work. You may not think it is, but it's true. Publicly publishing something is opening yourself to criticism from an abundance of strangers. For someone who already has a low self-esteem, it's hard convince yourself that it's worth it.

There's always going to be someone that tries to tear you down. Whether it be a family member, a friend, an acquaintance, or a random stranger, there's always going to be someone there. But you have realize, there are people rooting for you. There is someone out there that wants to see you succeed. The nay-sayers are always going to be around, but surrounding yourself with people who care makes it all worth it in the end.

I'm only 19. I thought that if I told people that, they'd automatically disregard my book and choose something else. I thought that they'd think, "Oh that was written by a teenager, it can't be good." In the beginning, I just told everyone that I was in college. Once a few people found out my age, I realized that it can actually be a good thing. I don't think that writing should have an age attached to it. If you love writing, write. It's that simple. You don't have to be in the twenties or thirties to put your work out there.

I'm so thankful for everyone who has supported me during this process. You all have made me realize how worth it putting yourself out there is. It's a struggle, yes, but what rewarding thing in life isn't? I believe that if you don't have push yourself, you don't deserve the prize at the end of the finish line.

Living inside your comfort zone, is safe. I realize that it is comfortable in there (hence the term comfort zone), but sometimes the most worthwhile things lie just outside. Taking that simple step across the line is a challenge, but it may be the most fulfilling thing you do. Life isn't about success, it's about learning. Failure is destined to happen, but wallowing in it never changes anything. Learning from mistakes is one of the strongest things you can ever accomplish.

Put yourself out there. Step outside your comfort zone. Try something new. You never know what can come from that.

Find your magic. Until then, don't let the muggles get you down. :) 

 

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