31 Before 32: Ebook Progress - It's DONE!

Y'all I am so excited to share that I am finally done with the writing phase of the eBook. I cannot believe it. It feels so good to be that much closer to accomplishing a goal that I've had for a while. I'll spend this week reading through the book and making some edits. There are some interactive elements that I need to test as well. I'll be sending it off to be read and edited by some folks too. Just the thought of someone reading it makes me nervous but I want to get some extra eyes on it before I apply for the copyright.

I'll be doing some fun things around here as we approach the release of my first eBook. Please make sure that you are following me on social media so that you don't miss out on any of the fun! Until then, here is another one of my favorite quotes from the book that really jumped out at me last night while working...

If there is anything that you want to do please go for it. Don't let being a Mom keep you from achieving your dreams. Allow being a Mother to be your main source of motivation. I know sometimes as Mothers and women we want to feel that we have a big support system. We want other people to co-sign on our ideas to validate that they are good or worth pursuing. I am here to tell you right now that sometimes as a woman and especially as a Mother there will be times where you have to encourage yourself. You will have to push yourself and go for those big dreams even when it seems that no one else is rooting for you.

People may not be aware of how important your dreams are. Make sure you tell them and then show them with your actions. We can do anything that we have the ambition to work for. I am encouraging all of you to reach for your biggest and greatest dream. They say if your dream doesn't scare you then it's not big enough. Let's make 2015 a scary year.

30 Things: My 5 Passions...

In an attempt to really think about my passions I am going to exclude my husband and children from this list. Of course I am passionate about them but I don't feel the need to keep repeating that over and over. So after some thought, my five passions are...

1. Cooking - I love trying new recipes and cuisines at home. 

2. Writing - This blog and everything that has come from it has been so fulfilling.

3. Music - I love all kinds of music. I don't play any instruments but I could listen to music all day.

4. Fitness - As I've said before I am not a super healthy eater or gym rat but I do love to be in shape. 

5. Travel -Since we're constantly moving it's been tough to travel but I am looking forward to seeing more of the world. It's always nice to get a taste of different cultures and I can't wait to expose my children to that. 

Author Dreams 2

Since I am pretty happy with the two children's stories I've written I am going to move on to the next step on my journey of publishing a book. You can not have a children's picture book with out illustrations, right? Welp, that's where I am. Initially I was going to seek out an illustrator to help bring my characters to life. After looking around on the world wide web I decided to do more of a local search. And by local I mean my husband.

Since he was a little boy he has had a gift for being able to draw really well. He won competitions as a school age kid and would draw for fun while we were in college. As a grown up life got him away from his hobby. He recently started drawing again for his job. His unit was looking for a tee shirt design and he volunteered his services. I had forgotten how talented he was. That husband of mine. Is there anything that he isn't good at?

I think this professional relationship between the two of us will work well. He is already use to me telling him what to do. I don't have to worry about paying him. He knows how particular and detail oriented I am. Despite all that not only does he love me anyway, but he also agreed to be my illustrator. I am so excited about us doing this together. I'm writing and he's illustrating. How cool is that? He is going to start some rough draft sketches this weekend. Can't wait to see what we come up with!

Author Dreams

I have always known that I should be writing. I majored in broadcast journalism while in college. My favorite classes were always the writing based classes. I always seemed to do better in the on-air talent classes but I actually enjoyed writing more.

After college, I decided not to go into the tv news business. Mainly because the work hours did not agree with me. I like sleeping and spending holidays with my family. I knew that the real world was nothing like the projects we did as assignments. I have some pretty good footage of me on the campus and in the studio of East Carolina University. Those were great times. But I don't think it's really my path. If I'm suppose to be doing something tv/video related it will happen organically. I'm not going to force it.

Writing comes a lot more naturally for me. It's almost effortless. It's actually the primary reason I started this blog. To write about whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Another goal of mine is to write a children's book. I have been so inspired by my daughter. She is so funny and expressive. I am currently working on two different books. Hopefully they will be ready for submission or self publication by the end of the year.

I'm not looking to be famous or become an over night millionaire. I'm just looking to have my name associated with an ISBN number. I want kids and families to read my stories and find joy in them. Reading to my daughter is my favorite thing to do with her. She loves a good book. Maybe one day she'll be able to read one of my books to her own children. That would be success for me. The sweetest success.