In the dark, near midnight where magic and reality blur, I can dream anything. “Do you think it will happen? I feel like this could happen.”
Scott’s answer is instant. “Yeah, I think it will happen.”
***
In school my favorite class was creative writing. I took on every assignment with gusto and conviction. This will be the best thing I ever write! I scratched out stories and poems on my bedroom floor. Born with longing I kept journals; logging my days, my feelings as if everything I wrote was meant to be. If I wasn’t writing I was reading, safest among words.
I wasn’t a writer. I just loved to write.
After the car crash words failed me. I had little to say, nothing to write. I couldn’t put pen to paper, afraid of spoiling the page. My fear, my pain in ink. Empty journals traveled with me from hospital to rehab to home. They remained blank and unharmed.
In May 2005 a good friend asked me to speak at a fundraiser for firefighters and burn survivors, to tell my story in 5 minutes on a stage in front of two thousand people. I picked up my pen.
Two and a half years ago on a dare and a dream I began to write my memoir. I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer until my very first writer’s course when all the longing I was born with shook my hands and my heart. After the first class I walked swiftly to my car, keys in hand. I slid into my seat, slammed the door shut and sobbed. I don’t know if I can do this, but I’m home. I’m home.
On March 15th 2012 I received a call from Elizabeth Kracht from Kimberley Cameron & Associates. I am thrilled to announce (because, my friends, it is an announcement) she is now my literary agent. My agent! To say I feel lucky doesn’t begin to do this, me, my life justice. I am lucky, blessed and elated! It’s another piece of redemption, something good from something bad.
***
Scott was right. It happened.
I wrote this in response to a Studio30 Plus writing prompt this week just when I thought that luck didn’t exist. I’m happy to say it does.
Swept up
In these gorgeous celebratory roses from my friend Tanya who was there from the beginning.
CONGRATULATIONS!! So I guess it’s true…good things come to those who wait?
Congratulations! Looks like I discovered you and your writing excellence at just the right time. Good luck with writing and your agent.
Oh! Oh, oh, oh! I’m so happy for you, Heidi! Congratulations!
So exciting! It’s happening! Wonderful news!
So freaking excited to hear this news Heidi! Will be toasting you tonight with my prosecco!!!! Woot woot!!!!
A real writer is someone who loves to write; whether they get published or not. Someone who’s in it for the pure enjoyment of the writing. Therefore, you have been a writer all your life, I think!
And, congratulations on making your dream happen! 🙂
Fantastic! And well-deserved. I’m so happy (& proud)!!!
Oh my goodness! Hip, hip, hooray! What an incredible accomplishment! Yay you!
We definitely need to have drinks which are most definitely on me.
Oh my gosh Oh my gosh Oh my gosh!! I am so happy for you Heidi! Nobody deserves it more. Your story is and will continue to be inspiration for SO MANY people. I cannot wait to read your book.
Excellent, Heidi! I’ll be first in line to preorder (can you wait in line online?) your book.
I especially loved your line, “They remained blank and unharmed.” That is powerful writing.
You ARE a writer. Do not be afraid to embrace it with everything you have.
Wooohoooo!! SOO happy and proud!
WOOP WOOP!!!!!
*happydance*
yessssssss!!!!
Thank you, all!! I hardly know what to do with myself. As soon as I hit ‘publish’ for this post my heart nearly beat out of my chest. It suddenly all became very real. 🙂
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you hear me screaming 6 states away? Look out your window…see me jumping up and down??
I am so dang happy. HAPPY.
HAPPY.
I am so happy for you!!!!!!
HUGE congratulations…
Haha!! I think I can see you jumping up and down. 🙂 Thank you!!
SOOOOO EXCITING!! Wonderful news! So happy for you.
Reading your post helps me to realize that it is possible to reach your goals if you work hard and put your passion into your writing the way you do. Thank you! And congratulations!!
YES!! *tears* So happy for you!!!
How wonderful! It’s so exciting when the wheels feel like they’re finally turning of their own volition. Congratulations!
Yahoo! So happy for you! You worked hard for this!
Yeah, Heidi!!! Sooooo wonderful. You have such great things to share. I’m thrilled that you’ll get to share them with more people
Heidi, I’m SO SO SO HAPPY for you!!! YAY! Can’t wait to get a hold of that book. You have such an amazing gift of writing & now you’ll get to touch many more lives with who you are & your amazing words of hope and life. Congratulations. All that hard work is paying off.
Whoo hoo!!! I am so happy for you and proud of you! I am so glad I have found you and your beautiful words. You are amazing.
I would lke an autographed copy please 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS!!! No one is more deserving. 🙂
That is AMAZING!! Congratulations!!
That is so exciting! Congratulations Heidi!!!
HUGE CONGRATS! I’m so happy for you!
Bask in it, baby!
XOXO
Anna
Heidi … I am shaking with excitement for you. I knew this was going to come. Your passion and conviction were so visible and tangible to me even in the all too brief visits we have had. Your posting brings to mind the following quote:
“Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.”
-Asha Tyson
Um, okay. That quote?! How beautiful. And perfect. Thank you.
What a great story! Congrats on everything!
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*smiles as broadly and brightly as he possibly can* Go Heidi!
Oh you, SO many congrats! I’m beyond thrilled for you!
(And ever so sappy today, teary for you, too!)
An announcement, indeed!
Thank you! All of you!! It’s been a crazy and good couple of weeks. With all my heart, thank you.
I have only one word to add:
hope.
(Oh yeah.)
XOXOXO
HEIDI-I ALWAYS BELIEVED!!! Ok, I ALWAYS hoped!!!! I love you so much and absolutely CANNOT wait to get my hands on your book! It’s been a long time coming baby! xoxo
Mary!!! You did believe. Always. Right from the start. Even when it sucked. Thank you! 🙂 xo