On this 31st day of December, I sit here
gazing momentarily at the New York skyline. The pen swerves coiling on the page
as I pen this emotional open letter. It’s been a momentous year; I’d vowed to
slow down, write less and enjoy the day-to-day beauty that I tend to miss out
on while I’m hunkered down in my writing cave. Needless to say I failed
miserably at this task, my creativity and the anxious minions in my head wouldn't
allow it. In the end, I released more books than I had the year before, six. In
light of this, I've decided not to limit myself or stifle my creativity. Doing
so would only fill me with dread; I’d drown in myself. So in 2014, I've decided
to write as much as I want to, whether I share it with a reading audience or
not. As I've said before, “Writing is my oxygen; it’s my therapy, the very
thing that saves me from being lost in the abyss of myself.”
As we say goodbye to 2013, I’d like to thank each
and every person who’s played a part in my journey; you've made this past year bearable:
Tonya Kappes, thank you for contacting me at a critical moment that gave me
hope when mine was in short supply; your gesture saved me that day. You encouraged
me in the very moment when I was unsure of what worth I’d have in the industry.
Barbara B., my beloved sister, I've looked up to her throughout my life. She went beyond being supportive, investing time and money
despite her hectic schedule to read and give me feedback, even with the
children’s books. Thank you for being the closest thing to a twin that I’ll ever
have, for making me laugh and for loving me. Then, there’s my best friend of
twenty three years Evelyn, who’s been no less than a sister to me and has made
the low points high ones and has been the wind in my sail when I feel I've
reached my limit. Thank you for encouraging me, supporting me and telling me
what I need to hear and not what I want to hear. I thank you and appreciate
you. 
Summarized, it’s been said, “What hasn't been
revealed to the wise and the prudent has been revealed to the babes and the
suckling,” and it’s true. My sidekick, unofficial twin, critique partner S.J.
Dennery has played an instrumental part in my evolution as an author. She was fifteen
years old when she started working with me and it’s been an epic journey. S.J.
Dennery pushed me beyond my limits and when I thought that she was through with me,
she pushed me further. There’s been times when she was arguably hard on me and
I’d go into my writing cave and bury my head in the folds of my arms. I was discouraged
but anyone who knows me knows that I have a determined spirit, even when I feel
as though I’m ready to wave a white flag, my personality won’t allow it. I put
my big girl pants on and revisited whatever the issue was and I came back to
her admittingly nervous. Thankfully, I rebounded every time impressing her more
I had on the last project. There is always room for improvement, I’m a work in
progress and I will continue to strive to improve my craft. S.J. Dennery, I’d
like to thank you for being at my side during my journey in the publishing
world. I can’t imagine being on this excursion without you. I love you with all
that I am or ever will be. |
| Ilia Smith |
Her best friend and partner in mischief, Ilia Smith has
been influential from the start. She’s an avid fan, the kind that would wear
team colors if I had one, she’d stand in line for tickets in the rain if I played
on an athletic team…I am flattered. In a past life, she was probably my
daughter, but I’d adopt her in this life in a heartbeat. Thank you for being a
friend, neighbor and a rebel with a cause.
Benjamin Yon Floyd, I must thank you for reminding me that visuals are equally important. You’re awe-inspiring. I hope you keep writing, the group as a whole enjoyed reading your stories and we anxiously await your novel. Also, the character that you helped to mold in The Legend Of Turtle Pond lent a special quality to the story. I look forward to reading one of your novels.
Genevieve Scholl, you've inspired me to learn more
about photo manipulation and I smile when I reflect on the countless times that
I've read a food scene of yours and had to stop because you made me hungry. I’d
like to thank you for featuring me on your website, for the creative advice and
for sharing my links. I wish you continued success in all that you do.
Special thanks go out to Authors To Watch, The fabulous: Ava Lenoir and Tonya Kappes for
featuring me on their websites and
all of the bloggers who participated in the
On The Isles of Mozambique Spotlight
Blitz Tour.
So as I leave 2013 behind I am thankful and baffled
that friends, family and strangers who have become friends has taken this
journey with me. I am emotional and even though this letter is penned in ink,
it is truly written in tears, happy tears. I am overwhelmed that I've been able
to share the plots blooming in my head with an audience. My initial goal was to
have my book included on the shelf alongside famous authors that I've shelved
for years during my employment as a library assistant. I've been on the shelf
for a few years now, but I never imagined that anyone would want my autograph…I
pause to wipe a trail of tears, …want an autograph of a girl who grew up in a
country setting catching butterflies for fun before moving on to the big apple,
the youngest in the family, a day dreamer, a survivor of a natural disaster and
a survivor in general. As I say goodbye to 2013, I pledge to live more, pause
to smell the flowers, watch a stream flow, and take it one day at a time. It’s
been quite a journey but I’m ready to say goodbye to 2013; hello 2014.
