Author Liwen Ho

Getting Out of My Own Way

I have always enjoyed writing, whether it be poetry, song lyrics or this blog(!) and have been happy and encouraged to receive positive feedback from people who have read my work.  However one of my dreams has been to have something of mine get published, so that I can have proof that my work meets professional standards (cause publishers have to be more objective than your family and friends!).  Recently I entered a children’s ebook writing contest and was disappointed to find out that I hadn’t made it to the final round of voting.  So it was a total and complete surprise to me when I got an email last week from the publisher telling me that they still want to publish my book!!  I was THRILLED and when I say thrilled, I mean I was doing a “happy dance” for two minutes straight and getting funny looks from E who has rarely seen me, his 2 square 2 be hip mom “cut loose” before!  🙂

My book!!  Buy it at meegenius.com!

It’s just so exciting and amazing for me to fulfill a goal that I never thought would be possible to reach.  I would say I’m usually a glass half-full or very full kind of person when it comes to other people’s lives, but when it comes to my own, my glass tends to run low.  This doesn’t mean I don’t try my best; when you are a recovering perfectionist, you of course put out your best effort.  But my pessimistic side is always at work; even now I half expect to receive an email from the publisher saying they have changed their minds! 😛  This is all because of my greatest fear – rejection!  And rejection means failure and failure only leaves you feeling like a deflated balloon and who wants to feel like that?

I know I got it kind of easy this time around, I mean you don’t usually reach a big goal on your first try.  I’m contemplating writing and submitting more work now (don’t worry, I’m not quitting my day job yet, haha), but I’m trying to get in the right mindset for it, knowing that I will very likely face rejection.  But like they (whoever they are!) said, Rome wasn’t built in a day.  So I’ll just take it step by step, with courage and hope and remind myself that if all else fails, I’ll at least have one book published in my name.  🙂

I just love this song, “Nothing Ever Happens” by Rachel Platten and the words of the chorus (it describes me perfectly).  I think it’s time for me to “get out of my own way”.

In what ways do you need to get out of your own way?

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x