Two years ago I decided that I was going to revamp my blog and try to be more serious about my writing. After all, I had received approval on my Institution Review Board (IRB) application for my dissertation so I felt my time freeing up and I was ready to write more creatively.
I felt like all the years of preparing to graduate since enrolling into my doctoral program at Nova Southeastern University in 2011 was finally about to pay off in a major way. Let’s be real, since graduating from Ware County High School in 2000 and a six year enlistment in the United States Air Force (2001-2007), I had literally been in college off and on for 16 years pursuing various degrees.
*Doctor of Education; Higher Education Leadership (2016)
*Educational Specialist; Curriculum, Instruction, Management, and Administration (2010)
*Master of Public Administration (2009)
*Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies (2007)
Plus two associates degrees, you would think that writing would be the last thing on my mind. Hell you’d probably even think that I had accomplished a lot in my own right academically but for me that still is not enough.
So I revamped my blog! I was kidding myself thinking that this would be an easy journey and my name would ring supreme. I learned very quickly that in this industry building a name for yourself and brand takes times.
I had the obnoxious idea to try to do a blog a day during that summer. I had lame ideas like Motivation Monday, Thoughtful Tuesday, Wisdom Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, and Short Story Saturday. I soon found myself burnt out and really not producing quality content. I thought my posts were decent. Now looking back it was just a bunch of fluff because I honestly just did not know what to do or what I was doing. I was trying some stuff out to see if it would work.
I managed to churn out chapters 4 and 5 of my dissertation and pick back up on my book project that I had outlined in 2013. I was feeling like I was ready to put that story out to the world and I did, My Fourth Year in Middle School: The Truth About Teaching.
Now how does a busy mom like me balance work, school, and writing a book all at the same time is beyond me, but I had an inner strength to get some things done so I did. I admit it to myself I am a fast burner because everything I set a timeline to do when I began teaching in 2008 was easily exceeded.
Still on the hunt for more, I now ponder the idea of pitching my book to publishing houses because I feel like there is a really great lessons that were learned for myself along the way. These lessons are sure to touch the hearts of aspiring educators because it’s a lot behind the scenes that you often do not hear people talk about.
So hear I am fully exposed and ready to do the work because after listening to all of the experts, I can’t be afraid to fail. Everyone of the EXPERTS have shared a story of an idea flopping so I get it.
I am guilty of thinking that I had to have a logo and a big following to relevant. But I’m learning that if I continue to be me, put my best effort forward, and stay true to myself then everything will fall into place in due time.
Now that I think about it, this time last year my focus was light and love. But I’ve had to regroup and think about branding and narrowing my niche. Yes! Dare I say it, I truly see why the experts are the position that they are in and I’m striving day to day.
So my third book project is in the works and the personal approach I am taking it is why it has yet to be finished. Just the other day I was admiring my 12 year old because he was anxiously trying to print an essay earlier this week that is due tomorrow. He was so frustrated because there was no ink but the overachiever in him got the best of him and all I could think was that he got that from me. While on the other hand my 14 year old has a painting from his art class on display at the mall and I am in awe of his artistic ability and how his mind works.
I have taken time to really value the work that I have put into my two books. I have also realized that what I thought I knew two years ago was only the beginning. I am just now beginning to scratch the surface and walk in my purpose.
Being that I am doing everything on my own as a one woman show, it feels good when the people who genuinely support me tap into my words and tell me how the things I write make them feel. That is the impact I ultimately want to have.
When I began teaching I looked at each class period and asked myself how did I plan on touching 22 sometimes 27 minds at one time. Then I quickly learned that if I touched one, then I had did my job.
Now as a writer I ponder the same thought. How do I plan to reach the masses? I’m realizing that if I get one new comment, then that’s a new soul that I have touched so I’m growing.
I have come so far to realize that all of this takes time, planning, patience, and hard work. I am sure when the time is right for my first book to catapult it will. I am confident that my brand will grow as long as I stick to being authentic and transparent.
Two years ago I made up in my mind that it was time to take my writing to next level. And since hindsight is 20/20, who would have ever thought that 30 years ago in the streets of the projects, I’d grow up to be this woman on a mission to create the life I want to live, boss up, and be very unapologetic for daring to dream.
Keep coming back for more.
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