If I Could Freeze This Moment

If I could freeze this moment forever, I would. I would box up this feeling and pull it out whenever I felt sad, whenever I felt like I had failed or like I wasn't enough. The feeling of pride that wells up inside every time someone asks about you and the stories you hold. The way they listen, and some beam with pride.

I would forever remember the way it felt to hold you in my hands, to judge your cover and my words in ink. I would hold it close and use it as a weapon when imposter syndrome knocks at my door.

If I could freeze this moment in time, it would be the one where the shock of the final draft being done hit me so hard that I had to sit on my bathroom floor. Whenever I felt like giving up on the next project, I would sit in that feeling to inspire me to keep trying.

There are times when I look at you and the doubts come like title waves. What if you're not enough, what if no one cares? What if I’ve tricked myself into believing you’re any good? In those times, I will remember the way my editor and early readers praised the stories found within your pages.

You might not be the most perfect book, and not everyone will read you, but for me, you are the perfect first step; you pave the way for every book I write after you. I am happy that you came first.

Allow me a moment, if you will, to thank those of you who stop by and read my little short stories. Who helped me grow the courage to release my first book, Through the Puddles! I wrote this to summarize my feelings about releasing a book before it went live. I can’t even wrap my head around the feeling from release day that was just a whirlwind. Once again, thank you.