Welcome to a new week my dearest radiant sunshines, I hope you had a wonderful weekend and have a beautiful week ahead dancing to your own beat!
Many of you have been following my journey in writing the novel I’m working on, this week I was super excited to find out that Hallmark’s next period for book submissions is this year in September. However, after watching an interview featuring Stacey Donovan, The Publishing Director of Hallmark just a few days later, I quickly became a little flustered. I found out that they rarely do stories that take place outside the US, which is a problem because the setting of my novel takes place in Canada.
My first instinct was, “well I’ll just create a second version of the story that takes place someplace in the US. However, when I discussed the problem with my husband who reflected my own inner thoughts of confliction back at me, “Are you going to change the story you’ve been working so hard on for someone else, or are you going to do you?” I realized at that moment that going back now and starting over on all these details that I’ve woven throughout my story did not excite me.
This quote by bestlovequoteslove.com truly says it simply and beautifully. I’ve decided when I’m finished I may boldly submit my book knowing that I’m taking a risk. I believe in my book and the story I’ve created and I know there are other ways to get my story out there into the hands of the audience who’s hearts it’s meant to touch.
In college, I took a drop in my final grade for going against making a change in a few poems that my professor recommended I revise, which didn’t feel right or settle well with me, even after giving it some thought and trying it out. Later that next school year I got up the courage and submitted one of those poems we disagreed on to the school poetry magazine and had it accepted for publication and received many positive responses from others who read it. It just goes to show that what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another, but that’s okay.
I’m mulling over the idea of self-publishing, which is something I’ve been looking at as a way to publish an illustrated anthology of poetry and short stories. This is becoming an increasingly inspired method of publishing for writers and artists alike to get there work out there to the masses. It’s innovative, outside the box, and there are a growing number of reputable companies available for self-publishing, each with their own unique set of valuable traits for the author to choose from to meet their needs.
Always be open, there may be doors to opportunists you may never have dreamed possible. If we are truly open to opportunities they will find us when we least expect them if we continue moving forward each and every day. Don’t let life’s hiccups get in your way, discourage you, or keep you from dreaming big…some may say the sky is the limit, but they lack adventure and imagination. Keep dreaming as the possibilities are infinite!
What obstacles have you faced head-on by dancing unabashedly to your own hearts rhythm, rather than going with the choices that others tried to make for you? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your stories!💖
What a self-motivating post that is inspiring for the readers too! You go girl and do what your heart desires and success will be yours! Way to go, dear Jenna. 💞🤗💖
Thank you Punam my dear! 😁💖🤗💞
You are so welcome, dear Jenna! 🤗💞
😃🤗💞
What a self-motivating post that is inspiring for the readers too! You go girl and do what your heart desires and success will be yours! Way to go, dear Jenna. 💞🤗💖
I believe in following my heart and my instincts, and in my experience, I am less likely to have any regrets.
I absolutely right, I feel the same way. 😁 ❤️
A great success for your novel, my dear Jenna 🙂
Warm regards from my heart to your heart and many big hugs as well, my dear friend 🙂
Thumbs up for your plans!
Didi
Thank you Didi my dear! 🤗 ❤️ ❤️
Warm hugs from my heart to yours 💞
Welcome, my sweet friend 🙂
🤗🤗🤗 💞
Didi
A great success for your novel, my dear Jenna 🙂
Warm regards from my heart to your heart and many big hugs as well, my dear friend 🙂
Thumbs up for your plans!
Didi
great post. Hope you have a great week!
Thank you so much, I hope you have a wonderful week as well!😊
I admire your husband for keeping on his toes and telling what you exactly need to do..because i was reading that part i was already murmuring ang talking to myself..” no no Jeena..you should not change it”..
Lol 😁 He knows me too well and is afraid to tell me what I need to hear…which is good even if I don’t always want to hear it at first. ❤️
I admire your husband for keeping on his toes and telling what you exactly need to do..because i was reading that part i was already murmuring ang talking to myself..” no no Jeena..you should not change it”..
Great uplifting read! 😀 Hope you have a lovely week ahead! <3
I feel that I've genuinely improved my writing a huge amount by trying my hand at different short stories; in turn that's broadened my range of stuff I can consider submitting for self-publishing / an anthology, so if one doesn't work so well at least I've got more backups now.
True. I feel the same way, my writing and skills have only bloomed as I’ve continued writing…just like my art and style continue to grow and expand. 😊 Have a wonderful day and week ahead!❤️
Great post! Bravo on sticking to your guns! Just remember The Beatles were not signed by a number of record labels!!
Xoxoxo
So many amazing writers, artists, and musicians alike it took years of attempts before they became well known…some not even in their own lifetime. 😊 ❤️
Great post! Bravo on sticking to your guns! Just remember The Beatles were not signed by a number of record labels!!
Xoxoxo
Courageous stories, Jenna! It inspires me. As for myself, many years earlier, my peers and family members believed that I should go to medical school because I did well in my academics. For a while, I think I believed it until I got burnt out. My heart though is in music, art, writing. Lately I’ve enjoyed sewing. It’s been an interesting journey!
I understand, I have a similar background story with my education. I truly believe it’s important to do the things that bring us joy and fulfillment. 😊 ❤️ Thank you for sharing your own experience with me Sa, I always look forward to reading your comments (and posts..which I hope to stop by soon)!
Indeed! 🙂 I hope you’re health is improving. I know that life can be a whirlwind! Just celebrated my one year blogging anniversary! A sweet friend created some opera cake for me. <3 <3
Awww congrats!😃❤️❤️
I had to look up what opera cake is 😉 but it looks scrumptious!😁
Thanks Jenna! It was wonderful! I shared a piece! 🙂 <3
I will check out soon, I can’t wait to read some of your posts again!😊 ❤️
I love your husband’s advice and that you know the rewards of standing up for yourself! Good luck!
So true..we have to do what feels right for us and follow our intuition. 😊
Good luck, Jenna! You’re lucky to have a husband who supports you. Our husbands know how to say the right words. 😃❤️
Thank you Winnie! Yes indeed, we don’t always see eyes to eye, but we’ve always got each other’s back and support each other. 😃💖🌷
You’re welcome, Jenna! So very true! 😊❤️🌹
😊❤️🌹 Have a wonderful week Winnie! 🙂
Have a wonderful week too, Jenna! 😊❤️🌹
Thank you Winnie!😊 💖 🌸
Good luck, Jenna! You’re lucky to have a husband who supports you. Our husbands know how to say the right words. 😃❤️
agree, your husband gave you wise advise!
I’ve met many who self published and selling your own books, finding your own outlets is super hard slog!
But then JK Rowling got 16 rejections, self-published and …
I agree! 😊 We have to keep going a no just mean that may not be the right door and a yes is just that much closer to the correct door.😁❤️
oops forgot to say I’ve usually danced to the beat of my own drum … still gets me marginalised but being true to myself is absolutely paramount 🙂
oops forgot to say I’ve usually danced to the beat of my own drum … still gets me marginalised but being true to myself is absolutely paramount 🙂
I couldn’t agree with you more! I’ve always been the exception to the rule dancing to my own beat.😃💖
Wish you good luck for all your future endeavors Jenna! With a life partner like that, I’m sure you’ll scale many heights!❤️❤️
Always remember – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”❤️
Wish you good luck for all your future endeavors Jenna! With a life partner like that, I’m sure you’ll scale many heights!❤️❤️
Always remember – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”❤️
Thank you Richa, so very true indeed! ❤️❤️❤️
This is beautiful! I love this…Hope the novel is going well. Belated Happy Mothers Day ☺💕
Thank you Pam! 😊 The novel is going slow, but steady at the moment. I’ve been rotating my creative energy on different projects. 😄 I hope you had a wonderful mother’s day! Mine was nice as I got to catch up with all of my moms and my grandma. 😁 💖
Yes! Absolutely agree with everyone else. Staying true to yourself is the one lesson that has stayed with me since I learned it the hard way.
I absolutely agree. It is a hard lesson to learn sometimes, but an important one indeed. 😊 ❤️