Do you believe things happen for a reason? Sometimes, I do, but other times, I’m not so sure. I have had LOTS of things happening lately, so much good and love, which I am working daily on making a conscious effort always to see, and also a great deal of loss and pain and a sort of restructuring of my life. It seems that happens every so often, and it’s odd: change and moving on, trying your hand at new adventures and letting go of things that have run their course or are no longer serving you. I spent much of my life fighting these things when they happened, holding on to what I’d invested in. As a Virgo (for the astrology people), I am firmly loyal to many things: people, places, and traditions, but change can be healthy, beautiful, needed, and sound. Being loyal to yourself and your core values is most important, and sometimes, we lose that in pleasing others or trying to make things work that are no longer working. A relationship, a job, or a friendship may no longer align with you, and some of us stay too long just because of comfort and being invested or “loyal.” It’s also our history, part of our lives, so that isn’t always easy to let go of as it can feel like you’re letting go of a part of yourself. Isn’t that what life is, though, constant building, sculpting, and reshaping—aligning, aging, and evolving, watching people, places, and parts of us come and go, opening and closing doors while finding solitude within ourselves in between it all?

I had a restructuring in my “other job,” and it’s taking me some time to adjust. I wasn’t entirely happy with how it came to be, but I feel the universe answered what I’d been asking; although the route was not exactly what I’d envisioned, is it ever? However, things may work out, so I have more time between writing my third book and “my other job” to try something others have encouraged me to do. I’d never thought about doing this, but so many authors and writers ask me for help in this area, so I thought, why not? I like banking on myself. No matter how scary it is, I am disciplined at whatever I do. I give everything all that I have, sometimes to a fault. Sometimes it works out, and many times it doesn’t. So, where my passion for writing and creating is where I live my truth; I wanted to offer all that I’ve learned to others with the dream of writing a book or helping launch an already written one.

I have spent years making millions of mistakes, trial and error, wasting money, and banking on others, learning what not to do and what doesn’t work to create a vast database of information to help others in what does in this genre. I have curated email lists for reviewers and awards, templates for everything you need in a book launch, as well as a stellar team of editors, beta and alpha readers, and marketing and social media experts in my journey, all vetted after utilizing dozens of ones that scammed me, didn’t deliver, or were just plane horrible. I can help the person who hasn’t written one word yet with where to start reviewing tense, genre, and word counts, as well as where and who to market to and provide coaching along the way. I and my team can also help with book editing, design, marketing, and platform needs or show you how to do these yourself. My years of wasted time and money can work for others… isn’t that great? –sigh

At the same time, I certainly do not know everything and am constantly learning to sell books, improve my writing, and get it out there for people to read. I’m not looking to scam or make a million promises that won’t come true. I have done this all myself for years and started with knowing nothing except that I had a story I wanted to tell. I am now a multi-award-winning author and poet with a publishing deal and a second novel out in October, and I am working on my third. I have been featured in Reader’s Digest and Life & Style Magazine. I’ve also been on numerous podcasts and radio shows, given countless interviews, appeared in multiple newspapers and press releases, and continuously speak at engagements around New England.

I like giving back, and that’s the real motivator here. The universe restructured my life because I manifested it, too. I would have chosen an altogether different route, but I’m not in charge here, and that’s probably a good thing.

What do you all think? Have you tried something new? I’m never afraid of failure, but I am scared of wasted time, as we all should be—there is only so much of it. I write—and that is my heart, and I am tired of wasting time on anything else that isn’t in that wheelhouse. In adult life, we do what we must, but I want to help others who wish to write and get their story out without wasting their time and money. I’m already doing all this stuff, so why not help others along the way? So many stories are left untold, and that’s the real tragedy.

While I am building this service and gathering the team… tell me about your new adventures or one you’re pondering. I’d love to hear! Start writing it down and thinking about it—manifesting… that’s where it starts, but be prepared for detours and alternate routes getting there.