In one of my first classes at Wanderlust Yoga Festival, the meditation instructor told us to ask the universe the ultimate question. “Who am I?”
I asked, “Should I be a writer?” I mean, I spend a majority of my time writing blog posts, screenplays and books. My first book took years. What if I’m supposed to be doing something else with my life? Kind of a frightening thought, right?
After our last class and an amazing experience over four days in Whistler, BC, I met my daughter, Courtney, at a restaurant. While we chatted over lunch, my phone buzzed. It was noisy and I couldn’t hear the caller. The number was similar to my oncologist’s and I thought someone was calling from the RMCC. Rocky Mountain Cancer Center. I’m three years out and had scheduled a six month checkup for a few days from then. Anything related to cancer makes my heart stop.
“This is Pamela Nowak from RMFW. Your manuscript, THE FOREBODING, has been selected as a finalist in the Colorado Gold Contest.”
OH! Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers!!
“Wow. I can’t believe it! Thank you so much!” She gave me the details, we hung up, and I told Courtney.
Shocked and excited, I had to go outside to DANCE!
Courtney took this shot through the restaurant’s window.
The universe heard me loud and clear. I’m on the right track. This is my debut novel and the result of a huge learning curve. I think of it as my thesis from five years of intensive study through all kinds of classes, including the school of pervasive and incessant rapping on my pointed head.
This coming Saturday night, September 10th, six of us will stand up in the front of the room and the winners will be announced for best action/thriller. Sure I’m nervous, but honestly, I already feel like a winner. Haven’t you heard that overused line a million times on awards shows? It’s the truth. No matter what place it gets, I’ve already won.
THE FOREBODING is a finalist! How cool is that?
6th place or 1st, my husband, Danny, will be there to record another happy dance.
How do you react to good news? Do you think you’re on the right path?
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It’s always a Wild Ride!
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Congratulations! I often think of my writing journey as moving chess pieces across life’s board. Sometimes it’s a big move, other times, incremental. As long as I’m still
playing, I tell myself, I’m wining. Lately, I have been looking for that sign from the universe that I’m on the right track. I’m so glad your sign appeared for you! I love your cheerful, passionate blog. I can’t wait to read your book. Yeah you!
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Awww! Thanks so much, Angela Noel. It was a pretty big surprise and I’m super excited about this weekend.
You’ll get your sign. It doesn’t always appear quickly, but it will. I like your analogy to chess pieces. That’s exactly how it is. We make a move towards our goal and see what happens.
Good luck to you too!
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Guess what? I got my sign. A wonderful agent requested my work through #PitMad this past week. AND a lovely almost stranger-a friend of a friend-emailed to tell me that she loved my book and wants to help me get it out out in the world any way she can. The universe works in mysterious ways.
I hope things went well this weekend!
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Thanks so much, Angela! It does work if we just watch and listen. That is great news! The weekend was fantastic and exhausting. Thanks! I got home this afternoon and can barely keep my eyes open. Ha!
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Yay! Congrats! So exciting, Susie!! 🙂
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Thank you, Coleen! Great to see you.
The timing of the call was so surreal. Onward, upward and forward!
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You definitely are already a winner! Congratulations and enjoy Saturday night 🙂
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Thanks so much, DD! I am pretty excited about Saturday and will try to stay in the moment.
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Congratulations! That’s an awesome accomplishment and what a wonderful sign you’re moving in the right direction! Can’t beat it. Would love to see the photo of you dancing outside the restaurant but for some reason it doesn’t show up in my feed. Darn it! Have a great writing day!
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Thank you so much! I realize these awards can be very few and extremely far between, so I am taking it all in. 🙂 Now if I could just land an agent. There always something to send into the universe. Ha!
Thank you so much for giving me the heads up on the photo!!! It’s up there now. I deleted the wrong one from my gallery. Gah!
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Yes, I see the photo now. That’s great! Love the smile on your face.
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Thank you! I’m so glad I read your comment now instead of four hours from now. 🙂
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this makes me smile and smile and smile…. congrats hugggggggggggggggggggggg
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Thanks so much, Linda! You’ve been with me every step of the way. 🙂
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always
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Aww. You really are the best.
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Great news! Congrats!
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Thanks Elyse! No matter what happens on Saturday night, I’ll be happy-dancing. 🙂
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Nothing better than a Happy Dance – How Cool and Exciting – Congrats!!!
I feel like I am on the right path, but I get impatient because I do not feel like I am moving forward fast enough. There is a lot of dancing going on and not the good kind at times – it is the 2 steps forward, 3 steps backward kind of dancing. I think my impatience creates the dancing. I need to be more and go with the flow way more.
Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
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Thanks so much!
I’m right there with you, Renee. I’ve been so impatient and felt like this first book was a bottleneck until I plunged into another. This new one is so different and just what I needed. Creative people need to create. Too much of the business side of things and polishing my work takes me away from what I love. Creative writing!
Have a Happy Day too!
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Awesome news, Susie! Congratulations! 🎈
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Thanks so much, Catherine! It was a timely surprise. Ha!
It’s always great to “see” you.
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Wow, congratulations Susie!! ❤️👍🏻
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Thank you, John! I feel very honored. All those years of work (and 876 revisions) paid off. Until it’s published there will be more revisions to come, I’m sure. Ha!
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WooHoo!!! I can’t wait to read The Foreboding. And best of good luck to you, but I think you’re already a winner too.
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Awww! Thanks so much, Barb!
Being a finalist is pretty dang cool. I’ll be happy-dancing on Saturday night regardless of the prize. 🙂
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Congratulations on the awesome news! And may you keep dancing….!
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Great to “see” you, Tim! Thank you so much. It was just the nudge I needed to keep me on my path. Honestly, I enjoy writing too much to stop. I love that crazy little world in my head. Ha!
You know me and dancing. 🙂
How is your writing coming along, these days?
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If I were an agent, “Finalist in Such-and-Such a Contest” would definitely make me want to consider taking that person on as a client! Good luck this weekend and in the future!
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Thank you so much, Daya and for all your support through the years. It is most appreciated!
I hope you’re right and it turns someone’s head. In the meantime, I’ll keep on writing. 🙂
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I’d say “keep us posted on your award”, but we all know you will–and you’ll keep glowing like a ray of Colorado sunshine even if you lose!
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Aww! Thanks so much, Daya! You’re right. I’ll post a follow up and will dance no matter what!
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SUSIE! This is amazing – cheering you on from the East Coast, so proud of you. You are absolutely on the right path- keep going 🙂
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Thank you, Liz! That means a lot. I will keep on that writing road and will hopefully get a book published along the way! 🙂
Great to see you!
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Congrats, Susie. That’s great news!
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Thanks so much, Anneli! I am very honored and grateful for whatever place it takes. 🙂 We’ll soon find out!!!!
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Awesome, Susie! Congrats!!!
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Thanks so much, Kassandra! I am so excited and can’t wait for Saturday even though I’m pretty nervous.
I went to FB and couldn’t find a place to post Happy Birthday! It was early, so I may have been sleeping.
I hope it was WILD!!!!
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Thanks, Susie! I have my profile set up so others can’t post on my timeline, so I guess that means they don’t do the birthday posting thread either. But it was a good day. Hubs gave me a new kindle paperwhite and I had shrimp quesadillas for dinner. That’s about as wild as it gets in my life!
I’ll have my fingers and toes crossed for you on Saturday. But like many have said, you’re already a winner!!
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I’m so glad I didn’t do something dumb. Ha! Sounds like a perfect birthday to me. 🙂
Awww! That means so much, Kassandra. You have been such a supportive friend and I really appreciate all the positive vibes. I could use every one of them between now and Saturday night! Thank you!
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FABULOUS!!! So excited and pleased for you. The news doesn’t really matter. You are already a winner. Born that way! 📚🍾🏆🌟🌟🌟🌟
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Oh, thank you so much, Pat! I am so excited and relieved in a huge way. It was amazing timing. Thanks for supporting me through my journey. The beginning of the book you read has changed at least twenty-five times. Maybe fifty. Ha!
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WOO HOO!!! That is so super cool! Congratulations and good luck! And you are right – you are already a winner. Having your book be a winner, too? The icing on the cake.
You’re on the right track. Stay on it.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Awww! Thanks so much, Patricia! I’m going to take all the luck I can carry along with me. I’ll need it! Ha!
That path has drawn me like a magnet since I started. I’m so grateful for the attaboy to keep me going! I’ll let you know how it goes! *gulp*
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How cool? Very Cool. Congratulations.
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Thank you, John! I’m so grateful for the positive feedback. I love writing. My imagination is a WILD place. Ha! I’ll let you know what happens…….
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🙂
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Congratulations! Well done!
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Thanks so much, Jan! I’m nervous for Saturday night, which is quickly approaching *gulp*
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Congratulations and keep on dancing! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Viva! It’s what I’ll do no matter what the outcome. I’m looking forward to the weekend!
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Congratulations Susie! That’s so great!
Sent from my iPad
>
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Thank you so much, Karin! I’m bringing my dancing shoes.
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Great news!!! Will be watching and praying your book is chosen as #1!!! My book club in Erie (we moved to Erie last year to be closer to our daughter, Anne Klein and her husband) read a book called “Point of Direction” and the author is local. Rachael Weaver (age about 40?) came to our book club two days ago to discuss her book and shared the ups and downs about getting published. You might want to contact her at some point. Her agent is the same one that was able to get “The Help” published.
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Hey Sarah! It’s so great to “see” you!
Thanks so much for all your support. It means so much to me. I really appreciate the prayers too. No matter what place it gets, I’ll be dancing!
I do know Rachel and belong to her writing group in Louisville! I plan to read her book soon. How cool is she to come to your book club! Getting an agent is tough, but I’m still hanging in there. 🙂 Thanks again for swinging by!
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Congratulations! I can just see you dancing in the courtyard 🙂 Here’s hoping to a LOT more dancing for you in the future!
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Right??? Ha! Thanks so much, Madison. It will be a blast no matter what happens! Thanks for stopping by to read!
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Certainly worth a dance! Very impressive – buckle up and enjoy the ride!
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Thanks, Phil! It was shocking and the timing was incredible. Ha! I’ll be dancing no matter what happens Saturday night. 🙂
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