So thankful for all the growth in my life lately…
I don’t mean the ‘numbers and clout’ kinda growth, because I could never really bring myself to become good at that (and hence see very little of it🙈). No, I mean the kind of growth that comes in almost imperceptible shifts; the kind of growth that just knocks on your door one day, like an old friend you’ve never met before.

It’s been a year since I started to query my debut novel, and I know so much more now. I know about the market and how hard it is to break into, especially with a book that’s not particularly commercial. But I also know what I DO want, and it turns out, that’s not getting traditionally published at all costs.

In a recent conversation I had online with another author, I discovered I knew exactly what I want! Namely: a) be in a support group of creative allies, and collaborating over going it alone; and b) building a small but dedicated audience, over making my work the most commercial it can be.

Somewhere in the months since the first episode of The Raven’s Toll came out, it appears I have grown into this knowledge. Growth has knocked on my door, and I welcome it.

For years and years and years, I wrote things that I didn’t publish. Which is fine – I needed that time – but now I can finally see the power of presenting things. Determining something is done and sending it out into the world. From the moment you do that, apparently it brings on a whole new dynamic. One that makes me feel very happy and alive right now.

So I would say: go out into the world. Regardless of whether or not your work is perfect. Regardless of the audience it may or may not find. Putting it out there – putting yourself out there – is enough. It’s enough to encourage growth, and one day that growth will knock on your door. And no matter what it looks like, I promise it will feel great.

NB. I: Did I follow my own advice? No, I didn’t, and part of me regrets that, which is why I’m writing this. I still don’t mind I took so much time honing my craft, but I definitely didn’t have to be such a perfectionist about it:).

NB. II: The plant? In the picture? Is one of my windowsill tomatoes; a late bloomer, just like me. <3