It’s taken me a while to find the courage to share a new adventure I’ve been pursuing, but I’m finally ready. As ready as I can be! The best place to start is the beginning, so here we go.
I have previously mentioned that since I was a child, I have wanted to write a book. I studied journalism at Penn State, but I haven’t used my degree in the sense that I don’t earn a living from writing. Sure, I blog. Yes, I’ve freelanced. Right now, though, I work as a personal assistant and dog sitter.
Spending my days with dogs nourishes my soul ❤
I feel very blessed to be able to earn money working such fun jobs and having a flexible schedule that allows me to use my degree and passion in creative ways. I think it would be tough for me to work in the journalism field and still want to write for fun. I’ve never tried it, though, so I could be totally wrong.
My childhood dream of wanting to write a book has stayed with me my whole life, but for reasons I can’t explain, the time never felt right. Until recently.
Around Christmastime, I woke up one morning and the first thought in my brain was a story idea for a book. It was more of a question, like what if this happened to someone, then what? I let the idea sit in my head and heart over the holidays and began plotting the story out before the New Year.
I can’t describe the goofy grin on my face when I started to think about characters, plot, and what I wanted for the story. It took me a few weeks of driving myself (and probably Jimmy) crazy with questions and ideas before I outlined the gist of the plot. We would be eating dinner, and I would jump up and literally run to our office because I had to write down an idea right that very second. I started plotting in a notebook, then moved to a word document on my computer. Then I started a spreadsheet. Then I started another spreadsheet.
I bounced character ideas off my family and started to research topics I wanted to address, but wasn’t very knowledgeable on. The whole time I plotted, I didn’t tell a soul about my idea. I kept it a secret because I was afraid it was awful. I’ve heard that you should write the book you want to read, and that’s what I’m doing. I just worried that no one else would want to read it.
Once I gathered the courage to stop planning and actually start writing, I became even more excited. I wrote a few chapters. Then another few. I decided to tell my mom my story idea and she liked it. Then I sent her a few chapters and she said she loved it. I hit my tenth chapter and began to edit. I sent those chapters to my mom and she said she way dying to know what happened next. I told her I wasn’t even sure exactly what would happen next, ha.
So, that’s where I’m at right now. I’m writing a book. I was hesitant to share this with the “blog world” because I thought what if I fail at this or quit or hate what I wrote? I also felt like I was keeping this big secret because I blog about my life, and lately I spend a lot of my life writing. I just felt weird not sharing this new adventure. I don’t know where it will take me, but I’m loving it right now. 🙂
YES!! I often daydream about writing a book, but haven’t yet decided what kind. Perhaps one day this will happen, but I think sharing it on the blog is a great step. There is no failure just refocus. If it doesn’t happen it’s because you refocused on something else! I have faith you will complete this book though, and who knows what will happen from there!! 🙂
You would be an amazing author, Brittany! You really have a way with words. I had a tough time picking between fiction and nonfiction. Then I was like… I can do one and then do the other when I finish the first project! I am so good at limiting myself without even realizing it that I often have to step back and be like wait… I can do that! Haha.
I love what you said about there not being failure, but refocus instead. That is such a wonderful way of looking at things! Thank you so much for your belief in me! It means a lot 🙂
That’s a super exciting new adventure! 🙂 I think that even experienced writers probably have similar feelings — what if I fail, or if no one wants to read it? But even if you decide to quit, or you take a break from it for a while, that doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. I firmly believe that the things we do and experiences we gain can teach us a lot.
All the best with your writing! Are you going to share what it’s about, when you feel ready?
Thank you, Grace!! You’re probably right about experienced writers!! I also agree that every experience can be a huge learning opportunity if we choose for it to be!
I think I will share what it’s about at some point! When I gather more courage 😉
Please finish it soon!!!!!!!!! I’m obsessed with knowing what happens to all of your characters and their lives!! Love you, and I’m so proud of you baby girl!
I’m workin’ on it! 🙂 Thank you so much for being a beta reader and for being incredibly encouraging! It means the world to me. I love you, too. So much! ❤
I’m so excited for you!! The passion you feel for writing and this project is so evident. I cannot wait to read it!! You better believe I’ll be buying when you publish. 🙂
Thank you so much, Amy! Your support and encouraging words mean so much to me!! ❤
OMG. How exciting Allie!!! I am so happy for you in this new endeavor! What an awesome project. You’re an amazing writer so I know your book will be fantastic!!!! I’d love to read it someday. 🙂
Thank you so much, Kaila! I really appreciate your kind and encouraging words! I would love for you to read my book some day!! ❤
Oh Allie thank you for sharing ❤ It is a huge step to say something out loud, I totally get that! That's how I felt when I went vegan, after saying it, the impact was larger somehow, in a good way of course. I will pray for the words to come to you and can't wait to hear more about it 🙂
Thanks, Ellie!! It is a big step, huh?! It’s scary and awesome and exciting. All sorts of feelings! Thanks for your prayers, too! That means SO much to me!
Great to hear! I love writing too (how-to and technical is my preference), and I can’t wait to see how your book works out!
Thank you so much, Stephen! Kudos to you for being into technical and how-to writing! That’s definitely not easy! I really appreciate your support and encouragement!
I remember you mentioning this several times and I think you are making a great choice and move.
Thank you so much, Hollie!!
Ahh! You go, girl! I am so looking forward to reading it! I’m excited for you, friend! 🙂
Thank you so much, Rach! You are the best! ❤
That’s so neat!! Look at you, reaching for your dreams 🙂 Keep it up!! You HAVE to let us know if you end up submitting it to a publisher and what happens!
I’ve thought about writing a book before, but I’m pretty sure I could only write non-fiction. I typically ONLY read non-fiction, so that’s probably why. I just love learning about different topics and hearing different perspectives from people 🙂
Thank you so much, Brittany! I will definitely keep you in the loop on what comes of this adventure!
I am usually more of a non-ficton gal, too! Over the past year or two, I have finally branched out to fiction, ha. The idea of making up a story/world just fascinates me! I am still a non-fiction lover, though! My favorite is memoirs!
Allie, that’s AWESOME!!! 🙂
My dream is to write a book one day, but I definitely need to stop dreaming and to start writing as well. I love that you’ve already done so much work on it and that it’s really coming together for you! I am beyond excited, and I can’t wait to hear more about your writing process. 🙂
Thank you so much Nicole!! Your encouragement means the world to me!
I hope you write a book one day because you are an AMAZING writer and I would absolutely love to read your book!