When I sit down to write a book, I want to write the very best book I can. I’m not happy if it is just good. Heck no, I want it to be excellent. After all, I didn’t set out against all the odds of being a published author to write so-so books. If I had, well, I can tell you I never would have gotten published in the first place. My constant search for excellence got me thinking….
Right now, the world is watching the very best athletes on the planet compete in London at the Olympic Games. These are people who have dedicated their lives to their particular sport. I’m sure every one of them was tempted at some point to give up on their dream of competing at the Olympics. Don’t you think those gymnasts would like to eat a Twinkie now and then? Maybe Ryan Lochte wanted to go to the movies with his friends instead of swimming laps? But did they? Probably not. They stayed focused on their goal, their constant journey to achieve excellence—to be the best of the best.
Now I’m not going to compare myself to an Olympic athlete. My exercise consists of a brisk morning walk. But I like to think I do have one thing in common with them. Like them, I have kept focused on my dream. Kylie, too, has kept her focus on discovering what type of paranormal she is and how to use her powers. And she has had quite a few distractions, but her main goal has remained constant. You’ll be surprised in Whispers at Moonrise all that Kylie learns and exactly what powers she discovers. At one point, those powers leave her pretty darn frightened. But like an Olympian, she faces her challenges, and stays true to her goal.
I set out many years ago, not to win an Olympic gold medal, but to be a published author. I stayed focused and I achieved that goal. And every time I sit down at my computer, I give it my all, and write the very best book I can. I owe that to myself and my readers. Those Olympic athletes never gave up on their dreams, and neither did I. And neither should you. Commit to your dream and stay focused. You never know how far you can go.
So tell me your dreams. What do you want to achieve? I’ll give away a Shadow Falls t-shirt to one of you who answers my question.