Today my baby graduated from elementary school. HOLY CRAP! How’d that happen? Wasn’t she just starting kindergarten YESTERDAY?!
When I considered this post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, I thought of how my writer’s journey has flown by in its various stages too. From vomiting ideas onto paper in 2009, to attending my first writing conference in 2010, to getting involved in critique groups in 2011, to querying & entering a contest & winning a contract in 2012, to publishing my first book in 2013, my second in 2014 & waiting, waiting, waiting on sales . . . to finally selling over 25,000 books so far this year after the release of my third novel, 18 Thoughts.
I worked hard toward my goals, just like my daughter did during her formative school years, just as I’m sure you do now and always! So let’s take a moment to be grateful for the journey, to recognize how far we’ve come, no matter how far we still have to go. The start of June is the perfect time to do so with vacations, picnics, barbecues, and that feeling of happiness and nostalgia and carefree attitude that only summer seems to bring.
Which brings me to an announcement . . . You won’t see much of me during the next two months. Thanks to my buddy, Kyle Prue (who gave me the idea), my girls and I are having a “Summer Unplugged.” Quite simply, we’re going to enjoy each other’s company instead of our electronics. I pray God would help us see the blessings right in front of us during this time, because sometimes the busyness & shiny objects of life has a way of obstructing our vision.
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” ~Henry David Thoreau
This has been a post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, the brainchild of Head Ninja, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Feel free to join us the first Wednesday of every month!
Jamie Ayres 
“Summer Unplugged” I love it! Congratulations on selling 25,000!! It’s amazing (& inspiring) to see how far you’ve come on your writing journey. I’m happy to say I sorta knew you when 🙂 Congrats on your little one getting promoted & have an awesome summer!
Thanks, Tuere! You have a wonderful summer as well 🙂
That’s a grand idea, especially doing it as a family. Enjoy it!
At least all the girls . . . hubs isn’t on board, but he also has to work!
Enjoy your summer with the girls. I thank an electronic free smear is a great idea😘
Will miss you, Jamie … but these years with the kids only happen once. One time are they babies and one time teenagers. And before the blink of an eye they are having babies of their own and a new journey begins.
Enjoy your time together. We will wait for your return 🙂
Thanks, Florence! I’ll miss you guys too . . . I’ll still post to my FB Author Page & Twitter occasionally because it wouldn’t be fair to my publisher to disappear totally 🙂
You have a beautiful daughter. Have fun being unplugged. Maybe you can sneak in a bit of time for writing, you could even write together!
Yes, I told them they can use their laptops for ‘work’ b/c all of us like to write books, and my oldest has a class online she’s taking.
Good luck with being unplugged for that long! It really helps to refocus your priorities and appreciate the simpler things when you’re not constantly plugged into a computer and phone.
Amen!
Congratulations to your daughter! And enjoy being unplugged…sounds refreshing 🙂
Thanks, Tonja!
Congratulations to your daughter!
It is wild to look back and see the path we’ve taken.
Now, go enjoy a summer unplugged.
It truly is, Alex! And IWSG has been with me since January 2012 🙂
It’s wonderful to see our progress and evolution. Enjoy your summer. We have two more days left…then vacation time.
Yep, two days left here, too!!
Congrats to your daughter on this transition and to your progress on your writing journey. Enjoy your unplugged summer.
Sounds wonderful. Have a blast!!!
See you on the other side. 🙂
Your daughter is gorgeous and now it’s on to the next level in life. Congratulations to her. It’s such a great idea to unplug and reaffirm the important relationships in your life. My daughter unplugged from Facebook for a while and she said it made her feel great.