I was just in a small town in Kentucky for a book signing and visited a few antique shops. I was shocked to find several items from my youth are now for sale as (gulp) antiques. I saw lunch boxes, a hair dryer, and memorabilia from TV shows. As I walked through with my friend who is under thirty, I hoped that my knees wouldn’t creak too much. I consider myself the poster child for “Age is Just a Number.” I don’t feel my age and I tend to hang with people twenty years younger. I listen to the current hits and can discuss pop culture like a reporter for TMZ. However, time does march on and I find myself reflecting on where I am in this life, what I’ve accomplished, and what is left to do. One thing is certain, I don’t want to stand still.
I decided to pursue writing and publishing after age fifty. It was scary and still is; so much to learn, so many decisions to make, everybody offered advice, and most of the time, it was conflicting. I found that I loved the process, the thrill of immersing myself into something new. Along the way I also learned a few things about myself.
Experience has taught me many things that I can use in my new career. I believe that I am ahead in the author game because I accept that I can’t make people do things. Can’t make people buy my book, , can’t make the ones who loved it write reviews. I don’t have that superpower (drat).
The second thing is to appreciate the compliments. Accept them and treasure them. People don’t have to say anything or they can be negative. I soak them up. So many times I hear others respond with an argument as to why the compliment giver is wrong. “You don’t really mean that do you?” or they tear down their own work. Just be happy that somebody cares.
And lastly, tomorrow might not come. If you want to do something, then start making plans to do it. Saying someday doesn’t help you achieve your goal. Plan and Act. I’ve started a savings account for my dream extended trip to the land of my ancestors, Scotland. I want to go and I want to see it all.
I may be considered an antique, but I am still full of life, still full of plans. I hope that I will always be this way. I firmly believe that life is meant to be experienced, the good and the bad. We learn from both.
BETTER by Melanie Jayne
I live on a grain farm southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana with my very patient husband of twenty-five years and our two English Mastiffs, Buster Brown and Ginger. I graduated from Indiana University when it was the #1 party school in the country and I took great pride in helping the school achieve that ranking.
I haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I change careers every decade. I have worked in retail, a federal courtroom, travelled across the state closing loans, and behind the scenes in a casino.
I’ve always had an active imagination so when a good friend suggested that I try writing a book, I thought why not, it should be fun. It has, but I have had to work very hard to learn how to do it. I am so lucky for the outpouring of advice and education from so many in the industry, plus the hand-holding and cheerleading from My Gurls. I also have an incredible Ad-man-istrative Assistant, who tries to keep me under control. He rolls his eyes so much that I worry about a permanent condition.
When I ‘m not working or writing type stuff, I sleep, watch courtroom TV shows, and sports. I was a competitive pro-am ballroom dancer for ten years and I read as many books as I can.
I love to attend Author-Reader Conventions and look forward to meeting you.
BETTER by Melanie Jayne
I should have known better. Women like me, average and unseen, don’t have our dreams come true. And the one chance I had for my dreams, I watched die in our doorway while I hid on the stairs.
Now I spend my days terrified for my life and my nights resigned to the fact that I’ll be dead soon.
He can protect me. Forde has the reputation for handling cases that blur the line between right and wrong. Yes, he can help me, but he’s asking for too much from me – my trust, my body and for the chance to make my dreams come true.
If I could… everything would be Better.
Romance [Author Self-Published, On Sale: October 4, 2016, e-Book, / ]
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