Two childhood dreams. One: ballet dancer. Two: published writer. Books became my solace. A way to be safe in an otherwise unsafe environment. Between the books I checked out at the library and the paperbacks I savored, I read ALL the time. Books meant the world to me. I wrote poetry and short stories as an adolescent. These writings were private and never shared. I never showed them to anyone. I wrote my memoirs in 2015-2016. I remember the day I finished. I printed the manuscript and placed it in a drawer. It remains there today.
The journey that led me to write Isabel, Awaken, my soon to be published manuscript, began after a wonderful trip to Malta. This inspirational trip opened my soul to remember my love of books and my long lost goal: to write one of my own. A novel. With encouragement from friends and family, I began writing this story. It was a struggle at first, but fate intervened and I found my Sisterhood of Writers to help me on my journey. These women and I have become The Scribe Hive. This sisterhood encouraged and listened. The support I feel all writers need — we have in The Scribe Hive. The struggles of writing can be lonely and hard and a support network is key. At times I questioned my own abilities to make my dream a reality. Then I had a dream.
I was a published author. I was being asked by a famous man, I only remember he was famous, not his name at all, to write his story. A story long in the making he told me. I remember feeling excited that he asked me. Me, with no works to my name. He said he loved my style. He told me there will be movie to accompany my book and suddenly I was seated watching the movie play out. The joy of seeing my story on the big screen made my heart leap and I felt a wide grin form on my face. As I left the theater I was greeted by people who read the book, and expressed how much it helped them. Next the dream switched to a book signing. Everywhere I went I experienced a lovely feeling of support and encouragement.
When I awoke I rededicated myself to work especially through the long process of edits and re-writes. The true hard work of becoming published. You may wonder about the dancer part. I accomplished that mostly. Another tale for another day. If you have an unfulfilled dream, start now and make it your reality.
Thanks for reading!
~B. R. Maryse