I am an author

I looked up author in the dictionary: the writer of a literary work (as a book).

It doesn't say "published book." It just says "book." I wrote one, folks. Typed those precious three letters -end- about an hour ago.

So, I guess I am an author.

I can't yet share much, but I can tell you you'll find Lincoln in this book, he'll inspire you and you'll learn from him. Along the way, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll stop and think.

There's more to this whole writing process than meets the eye, folks - tears, exhilaration, doubt, certainty. And, at the end there is one tremendous sense of satisfaction!

Next steps
This was but one step in an ongoing process. First, you fight the ideas. Then, once you find it, you fight to keep the words from rushing out at times when you can't capture them. Next, you make it the biggest priority ever, so you can write, write, write. You write till you drop. You write till you're done. Then you type -end-.

It will rest a bit now, then undergo sculpting, rest a bit again, get some polish, and travel away.

I'll let you know how the journey goes. I can tell you I'm very proud of my little gem.

Thanks to all who offered their support. I did it!

Ann

In the zone

To fulfill a lifelong dream and, hopefully, to entertain and inspire others, I am now working on a manuscript. I must make it a priority, or it will not come to be as it is destined. I must be: In. The. Zone.

So, effective immediately, I will not be checking Twitter or my other social media vehicles. Writing is, it must be - for me, at least - a very solitary journey.

Distractions are DreamKillers, so I must slay them first.

Encouragement, on the other hand, is a DreamBuilder. I need it. If you are so inclined - or destined - to encourage me, please post a comment on my blog. I will not check daily and I may not reply often, but I will read every one, and they will fuel the writer that is me, and I will be forever in your debt.

If I can leave you with one final thought, as I begin this journey, it is this: Listen. Do you hear who you are or are supposed to be? Do you see your dream - off there in the distance? What are you doing to make it come true? Isn't it time to start?

And, of course, I'd be remiss in not saying, look every day for the lessons you can learn from our friend, Mr. Lincoln, and hear, and use them in your lives.

Outta here and in the zone...

Hugs,
Ann

Long gone - Gone longer

To all my readers: My apologies for not posting more frequently in 2010. This has been a busy year for my family and me, and I readjusted priorities for a while.

I wanted to let you know they've shifted again, but keep your fingers crossed. You just might have something pretty doggoned cool to look forward to.

I am now writing again - but in a different medium.

I've been blessed through my late-in-life writing and research career with some of the most magificent mentors ever - brilliant, gifted, supportive, prolific writers. They've been with me as I tried to find myself, provided me with information I sought and, above all, encouraged me with great sincerity to pursue my dreams. I have, and it has been good, great, quite often even greater than great.

Now, with a subtle nudge (Okay, it wasn't subtle. It was a push off a cliff without a parachute.) from another incredible mentor, I am writing - a book! The words are coming in torrents and I think, I believe, I know, this is the story I was supposed to tell all along. As one of my oldest (in time, not age), dearest friends told me when she heard, "Ann, you've been writing around writing long enough!" And so, I write.

If I achieve my goal, it will teach, entertain, make you laugh, make you cry and fulfill one of my greatest dreams.

Yes, if you were wondering, Mr. Lincoln is in it - and a suprising supporting cast. No, none of them are vampires.

Thanks for dropping by. Thanks for your support. Don't forget - learn something new, every day - every single day. And, if it's about Lincoln, all the better.

Please know, I will be back in the blogosphere eventually. It's been too great a part of my Lincoln life to leave behind.

Till next time,
Ann