Twenty years in the making, folks. This is what JOY looks like!
Wowza. What a journey this has been! Starting with "I'm related to WHOM?" and continuing through all-consuming jobs, travel, life, sailing and Covid. Somehow, I always found a little time here and a little there to push the ball an inch or two forward. It was literally the book I couldn't put down.
There were ups (I have an agent!) and downs (near misses with two dozen publishers!) and more ups (today, for example!). There was a lot of work and a LOT of coffee. I invested in my future writer self by going to conferences, taking classes, and honing my craft in writers' groups. I got up at 5am to get a few paragraphs in before work and put my TV in the closet to force a few more after.
So how weird does it sound that I now call this all a labor of love?
Once upon a time, I wondered what this day would feel like if it ever came. (There were a zillion times I doubted it would.) I assumed there'd be a heart-bursting amount of pride. The answer is: well, sorta. I'm super proud of the effort and the output—but achievement is the background feeling here.
That JOY? That's pure gratitude, my friends.
Gratitude is the heart-bursting emotion that I actually feel today. I'm beyond thankful for the dream team of editors, designers and proofreaders that lent me their magic. I'm indebted to the enormous support family, friends, and writers have gifted me.
And I'm especially deeply humbled by this amazing community of people near and far, who said "Heck yeah, I want to hear when your book launches." So yeah, that's YOU bringing me that joy!
From the bottom of my bursting heart, thank you for your love, energy, and reading spirit!
Sending oodles of JOY,
Cheyenne
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