I was feeling down the other day. You know that feeling where you feel like the kid that the popular kids don't want to sit with or just not being liked? I have a great life but sometimes life kicks you down to the ground. I have been trying to get my businesses noticed and it's not like no one knows I'm out there. I've been told to make myself known by posting my piano playing, story writing, or just the fact that I am a person happily married. Trust is a big thing out in the world. I have been on social media vetting out who deserves to friend me or follow me. It's exhausting to weed out the junk. It's a lot to learn for someone who is not a media expert. I like meeting different people who share the same interests. I love to inspire other writers and get feedback from others who enjoy a good story. I am full of passion for different things I love. I was walking in the park with my grandchildren and when I saw a tree with carvings on it and children were climbing on it, I got inspired to write, The Tree at Lindley Park. I never knew there was such a real place that existed. I just liked the sound of Lindley Park and it just had a romantic feel to it. Sometimes when I am going to name a book or a character, I think of the first thing that comes to my mind. I go through names on the Internet all the time and research places and different types of employment. I love research because it gives accuracy to the storyline. I have read some books that make no sense to me. There is no emotion, no depth, no accuracies. The violence in a story is intense or the sexual material is uncomfortable. I am the type of person who doesn't want those images in my mind. I have a wholesomeness to my soul. I love things that take you to an adventure or to a place you've always wanted to go. Unfortunately, I get no feedback about my posts or books. At least not as much as the child who can entertain his 500 plus followers by attempting to play piano or the cat who uses the toilet. I've seen those posts and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I wonder what it is that I can bring to the table. I try to be interesting and maybe I come off as not. Being a writer and a professional cleaning contractor for residential homes. These are my favorite career choices. I put a lot of effort into the 2 businesses I own. I don't want massive amounts of attention for my endeavors. I would love to show the world what I have to offer, what I'm made of. I struggled for many years to find a career that suited me. I did a lot of soul searching and it took me years to find myself, enough to love who I am. I'm not into Botox or trying to make myself younger. I don't shop at lavish department stores. I'm a simple kind of girl who loves jeans, a T-shirt, and flannel shirts. I love Converse sneakers and ponytails. I don't color my hair and am not someone who wants me be something I'm not. I'm just me, Annette Marie Stephenson, writer, mom, grandmother, wife, business owner for over 40 years.
Back in the day, my husband and I used to love to gather with our friends and dance. We would bring potluck and with our kids, dance together. That is such a wonderful memory because we just don't do that anymore. I love to take those memories and keep them close to me. I wanted to make a difference in the world and bring people together. Sometimes we get sad because we can't hide all the icky in the world or we just get down on ourselves. I allow me to have those bad days. It's hard for me to do much when those days come. When the sun comes out again, I write better.
I am a neat freak. I don't have the OCD cleanliness but I do like a clean home. I don't cook everyday like I used to. I live a quieter life than I was used to when I was young. So, with all I have done in my life, at my age, it's hard to understand why many people don't understand me. Or do they? Someone gave me a 1 star rating for one of my books on Audible. It puzzled me because I wasn't used to anyone giving me a low rating. No comments just 1 star. Usually I get 5 star ratings and a few comments from my books. I tell people, "If you love Nicholas Sparks, you'll love me." I have so much to bring to the public. Being in this business is hard and like I said before, no one makes it big on their first try.
I was thinking about Julie Powell. She was my favorite writer and blogger. I just discovered that she died of Covid a few years ago. I was so sad to hear that and she was so young. My heart was breaking for her husband. When I watched Julie & Julia, I loved the way she patiently wrote her blogs even when she never got a response. My husband always says, "You will get your big break, just be patient and the right opportunity will come." So I wait, I keep posting, I just keep putting out great stories to take us someplace beside reality. That's my fun. Julie Powell's passion for cooking and food will always be remembered as something I will take with me. She was an excellent blogger and I feel like I could learn from her drive. She will be missed.
What do you love about reading? What moves you to go for your dreams? I wonder these because that's where the passion starts. I believe growth happens when you plant those seeds of hope and soon enough, you reach your goals and you are where you want to be. I have only been published for about 3 years. Many writers have been rejected in their day. The person who wrote The Hunger Games was rejected over 80 times! It just makes me wonder what are they looking for? I was told I was too sappy by 1 person. That means nothing to me when the majority say otherwise. I learned to keep a positive view on what I do, I have to think positive. Projection is a big thing out in the world and many are suffering from it. I don't take what anyone thinks in a negative sense too seriously.
As a new blogger, this is my way of getting to know me. I look at those Hallmark movies that are romantic stories or comedies and that's not me. It's a different kind of clean and wholesome. I don't mind putting in a little drama. Because it's what some of us have been through. I did a book signing and a woman related a story about her sister in law who was abused in her relationship. She wanted to know if I had something I wrote to give her hope. I gave her a copy of The Last Memory. She appreciated the gift and would look for me to write messages of hope for those like her sister in law. This is why I write.
When it comes to being a former real estate agent, there was passion there. I was homeless for a year. It was hard and I can't believe I got through it. I feel something in my heart when someone can't have a decent home to call theirs. I got into real estate after having experience as a contractor. I saw how homes were built and who will use these rooms. How many kids will they have? How will they celebrate their families? Just so much more to buying a house than people realize. There's an emotion there like no other. After waiting years to own my own home, I got to buy a house that me and my husband can retire in. It may not be the dream for everyone, but if it's for you, there nothing like it. I want to make someone dream come true. I say that a lot but it's my goal. I hope those of you know that my intentions are in the right place. I have been through a lot in my life and that spurs me on to help others. There is no other way to live but to give to others and they in turn will give to someone else in their life.
Check out my Instagram pages and Facebook. I have new books out on Amazon too!
"Nothing is out of reach if you have the drive and passion it takes to make your dreams come true." Annette
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