Ahh, what would writing from me be without potty humor?
It would be crappy most likely. Har har. Don’t worry, this isn’t a newsletter all about poop. I have exciting news!
I’M FINALLY PUBLISHING WHAT’S LEFT IS HOPE!
I know, I’ve said this before, but that was before I met my celebrity idol, Hoda Kotb!
Anyone who knows me knows that meeting Hoda has been a dream of mine for years. I mean, hello, the original title I wanted for my book was Are You There, Hoda? It’s Me, Hope.
I met her at the Spring Joy 101 retreat, and she was every bit as kind, gracious, welcoming, and lovely as I had imagined. I got FOUR hugs and pictures to prove it.
During my first hug, I blabbered about how she inspired my first novel. She grabbed my shoulders and said, “That’s amazing. I want to read it! Can I read your book?”
… ummm …
I had to say no to my idol. Why? Because I’d given up on writing and left my book hanging out on the proverbial pot (my laptop), not shitting, not entertaining, not doing anything.
I came home angry at myself.
My editor and dear friend, who has poured his time, energy, and support into Hope, has pushed me to self-publish. So have my husband and parents. So have my friends. But I needed validation from a publisher that it was “good enough.” I said that if my agent couldn’t sell it, I would self-publish. But fear held me back. Doubt crept in, and I did nothing.
I’ve now written two novels that are sitting on the pot. I let them both down. I let myself down. I let potential readers down.
My fears and doubts have kept me from so much. It’s time to create my own success instead of waiting for a publisher to do it for me.
So, I’m going to self-publish. What’s the worst that could happen? Someone might not like it. I guarantee there will be people who don’t like it.
But what if?
What if someone else likes it? What if they LOVE it? What if they read my work and laugh, cry, or simply escape the hard for a little while?
That would be success!
I already know two people who will love it (thanks, Mom and Dad).
I’m doing it before it’s too late. I’m doing it for those who want to escape into the world of Hope. I’m doing it for myself.
Because tomorrow isn’t promised and in the end, What’s Left is Hope.