Where Rose Writes Very True Stories

On June 9, my brain baby turned 1-year-old. Can you believe that?? I can’t!

So, several months ago, I entered my book into a few contests, and have been checking my email pretty religiously, waiting for the results.

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Next Generation Indie Book Awards and saw: CONGRATULATIONS! You are receiving this email…

And I screamed at the top of my lungs, “OH MY GOSH! I won!!!”

My family was like, “What? What happened?” I had their full attention after screaming.

Then I opened the email and read: “To find out if you placed as a Winner or Finalist…”

My heart just sank. I said, “Oh. Never mind…”

I clicked on the link and with the inner reassurance of “Well, at least you’re a finalist, that’s still good!” I scrolled through all the categories down to Fantasy.

And then I screamed, “OH MY GOSH! I WON!!!!!!!!!”

I was giddy, ecstatic, over the freaking moon! I’ve never won any contest, ever, in my life, and now I’ve won 2! And I placed as a finalist for New Fiction in the National Indie Excellence Awards. AHHH!!! I’m tearing up, you guys! I’m tearing up.

If you had told me back in 2018, back when I’d submitted my manuscript to publishers, that not only would my book end up published but it would win awards, I would not have believed you.

If you had told me back in 2010, when I was planning my suicide, that in the next 11 years, my husband and I would be best friends, my kids would be my best buddies, I would have another baby, would be healing my PTSD, and would be published and have won awards… I’d have said, “That sounds like a dream come true!” And definitely would not have believed you.

Whatever has happened to you, whatever you’re going through… please, please don’t give up. Life is worth it. It’s SO worth it!!! Dragging yourself forward through the dark unknown, clinging to each fragile thread of hope with all your might, fighting with everything you have to heal and to make your dreams happen, creating your happiness… it’s worth it. It’s SO worth it. Your dreams are right there along the horizon. You can make it. Don’t you ever give up.