“Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work’s important, family’s important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You’re cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what’s coming.” ~Nicholas Sparks, Three Weeks with My Brother
Tomorrow all the anticipation comes to an end.
On Tuesday, May 1, my debut novel Wish You Were Here hits the shelves for real.
Yes, there will be other things to anticipate:
- connecting with readers
- celebrating with my family and friends at my launch party on May 5
- moving on to the edits of book 2 (Catch a Falling Star)
- brainstorming book 3
But this feeling of anticipation … ah, it’s one of a kind. Never to be repeated.
As I counted down to this day, have I always enjoyed the “oh my gosh, here it comes!” feeling? Nope. At times I let anxiety taint my anticipation, turning it an ugly shade of worry laced with fear and doubt.
As Nicholas Sparks said, I cheated myself.
Has getting to this day been easy?
No.
Will tomorrow be easy?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But I can choose to forgo anticipation, to say no to the thrill of a dream come true.
Or I can admit that dreams are often stained with sweat and tears, but that those things don’t mar their beauty.
Nope. The sweat and tears? They make the anticipation of that dream come true day all the sweeter.
In Your Words: If you had a countdown clock on your table, what would it be counting down to? What’s ahead in your life that you’re excited about?
Comments 32
I love anticipation, even if its only the anticiapation of a quiet weekend on a tired and sleepy Mondy morning. I have many things that I am anticipating right now. The release of my first book, my grandson’s wedding, a graduation or two. But the countdown clock on my computer is set, as it always is this time of year, to my vacation. Disney this year. Much anticipated.
You know, Sharon, Disney sounds wonderful right about now!
😉
I can’t believe that your debut day is less than 24 hours away! How very exciting, Beth. It’s been so cool to learn from your journey as you’ve shared that process here. For me, I’m counting down toward the July release of my first ever traditionally published Bible study. Squeal! I hope tomorrow is one big celebration day for you, my Friend!! I’ll be cheering from here!
Thanks for joining the celebration, Donna –can’t wait to join in your celebration in July.
Beth, may you be blessed with many more dreams coming true! Congratulations.
Thank you, Elaine.
So excited for you, Beth!! Your book is amazing and won’t fail to capture readers, I’m sure of it!
It seems I’m always anticipating something. Sometimes, it’s not good, because I live too much in the future and don’t enjoy the present enough.
Right now, I’m anticipating revising my WIP…and finishing it. Then, I’m anticipating the cruise I’m taking once revisions are done! 🙂
Oooh, two nice things to anticipate: the hard work and then the relaxation afterward.
I get the long-awaited keys to my farm tomorrow–that opens the door to a whole new world of activities.
Yea, Dee!!! Soooo exited for you!
Such a wonderful anticipation-becomes-reality moment, Dee.
Congrats to you!
The anticipation for me is finishing the series of novels I’m working on to my satisfaction. Sometimes it feels like it takes forever. And obviously you anticipate being published.
Enjoy!
It does take forever, BK.
😉
This post gave me butterflies! I’m a week behind you, but you know that. 🙂
My countdown clock would be set for about 30 days (with the option to turn it back further) when I hope to write “The End” for real, for the first time. 🙂 Soooo excited for you, my friend!!
“The End.”
The most beautiful words in the writer’s vocabulary.
Congratulations, Beth on your debut novel! It is a-ma-zing! I am counting down to so many things…contest results, replies from editors and agents…finishing my WIP…ACFW in Dallas…
You need multiple countdown clocks.
The countdown clock in my immediate future is having my twin boys potty trained! What a day that will be! To date I’ve changed approximately 5,840 diapers for my twins (and that’s a conservative guess). By the end of today we can add another 8-10 to the list. It goes without saying that I am ready to be done with diapers! As I’m writing, one of my little guys is standing near me making “the potty in my pants” face…which means I should wrap this up. 🙂
I am so excited for your big day tomorrow! Good luck!
Potty training twins: that deserves a huge celebration, Gabrielle!
This is exactly what was on my mind earlier this morning, Beth. With being out of town and then getting sick, I’ve been away from all online blogs and was concerned that I’d missed news of your book coming out. But here it is – and it’s Tomorrow, and I can join in the anticipation and celebration!!! Yay!!! So happy for you! Your hard work has paid off, and that hard work will definitely make it much SWEETER!!!
May you enjoy every moment, and tramp down concerns of what comes next for the entire day tomorrow!!! May you bathe in the JOY of it all; may you stand taller and write with a touch more assurance. You are a Published Author, Girl!!!
PS- I adore Anticipation!! It is half the fun of whatever event is coming, big or small. My recent anticipation of meeting my son’s first child, finally seeing his business/home/city first hand, was wonderful. (I milk anticipation for all it’s worth.) Today-I am anticipating regaining strength and getting back into my latest WIP. (Also anticipating mulching and planting flowers.)
YOU will be on my mind TOMORROW!!!!!
I’ve missed you, Patti. Hope you are feeling better. Rest, recover, renew — and thank you for celebrating with me.
Thanks, Beth!! It’s a bit slower than I’d like but we gotta take life as it comes. Right? Can’t wait to hear about your day!
I’m so excited for you Beth! Having read your work I can say I’m confident it will be received so well. I have to say I was really happy with how you ended it too! 😀
Looking forward to tomorrow for YOU!
~ Wendy
Thanks, Wendy.
🙂
I’m so happy and excited for you, Beth. Enjoy!
Thanks, Megan — it’s been fun to share this excitement with you.
I’m sooo happy for you, Beth. I hope you enjoy every minute of your long-awaited day.
And it’s fun to share your anticipated debut day too, Keli.
Congrats! I look forward to reading your novel! I’m so thrilled for you!
Congratulations, Beth! I love that Nicholas Sparks quote. In fact, I needed it today. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you lots of fun with the release–and many more things to anticipate as a writer!
Congrats Beth! I hope you enjoy the rewards from all your hard work!! Wishing you all the best!