How I Started My Blog and My Book

During a conversation with my bestie, Laura, a year and a half ago, I told her that I was thinking about writing a book. For about 10 years, I had been making notes, jotting down ideas and stuffing everything into file folders for a rainy day. My wise bestie suggested I start a blog to get my creative writing juices flowing.

I questioned what a blog was and she referred me (for at least the third time) to The Pioneer Woman. I visited the site for the first time and finally got it. Ree’s website is now one of my favorites, and she is one of my idols.

Blogging has become one of my new passions. I absolutely love it. I’m always taking pictures of everything, and scribbling blog entry ideas down. Having a place to unleash my daily random thoughts has been one of my best therapies for staying positive.

What my blog first looked like:

Social media has been one of the most amazing tools for me to help fuel my desire to finish this book. I have connected with some unbelievably driven individuals, in particular women solepreneurs on Twitter and Facebook.

In April 2009, I learned about a free tele-seminar called Write a Book in a Weekend being put on by Donna Kozik. This concept intrigued me and I was completely inspired during the call.

I happened to have the next weekend wide open, so I took advantage of my new knowledge and started writing. My traveling husband was away, so I started writing that Friday night and continued all day Saturday. A lot of the content of this book was written in those two days. However, it took focusing again to finish. Thanks to Donna for encouraging aspiring authors to pursue their dreams.

I recall mentioning what I was doing that weekend to my mom. She laughed out loud over the phone, and then quickly bit her tongue. I suspect she had déjà vu and was not giggling out of disrespect or lack of support. You see, my mom was a teacher, and she majored in English while getting her education degree. My sweet mother proofread countless papers for me from elementary school right through to University. Spelling and my use of the English language have always been subject areas that I struggle with. That day, my mom probably saw a manuscript sitting in front of her and her favorite red, ballpoint pen in hand proofing!

After writing lots that weekend, I put the content to the side in a filing folder and kept building my blog. I added a mock up of my future book to our dream board.

Mock up image on our dream board:

It’s cool how the actual cover of my book, has the same color scheme and imagery of this mock up!

For the next 10 months, I looked at this image almost daily. Finally this past spring, I dug out my previous writings and the process of self publishing my first book unfolded. Since announcing the launch of Live an Amazing Life, I have had many people ask me how I did it, was it hard, etc. I plan to put my journey into a series of blog and vlog entries in the future – for those interested in learning from my experience.

If you’re aspiring to do something in your life, attract the people to help you achieve it.

Over the past 18 months I have had some of the most moving experiences of my entire life. I’m so blessed that I could work with my network and create new relationships along the way,that have helped my dream become a reality.

Thanks for your support – as a follower, friend, and cheerleader, you’ve helped me become the woman that I am.

Live an Amazing Life,
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