That first YA manuscript, AMBER HICKENBOTTOM, went on to final in this contest called the Golden Heart in the summer of 2005. It didn’t win, but it made the finals again in 2006, along with a new YA I’d finished, HAUNT ME. It must have been YA destiny, because HAUNT ME won the Golden Heart award for Best Young Adult Romance Manuscript. Suddenly, I had to go up in front of thousands of people and have my talking head projected on a Jumbotron screen. I stumbled up to the lectern in my high-heels, totally having an out-of-body experience. It was like the Oscars, only way better. (At least I imagine it is, since I haven’t won an Oscar…yet.)
That fall, I sold my debut novel, Never Cry Werewolf, to HarperCollins. That was another amazing moment. Things had changed big-time in my life, and that sale came along like the heavens were smiling down on me.
How did it happen? I was literally moving from my mountain town the next morning—and I was wistfully gazing out over the beautiful valley for the last time when I listened to the voicemail from my amazing agent telling me we had an offer. I drove home and called him back to get the scoop. Then, I sat on my bed crying and saying over and over, “I did it! I knew I could do it!” The next morning, I moved from the cocoon of my small town. I left with my chin up, finally an author with a real-life book contract.
On my own, I found a new life in the big city, but my country town was never far from my mind. In fact, that Christmas I received a memory book signed by many of my former students and it said stuff like “Can’t wait to read your book.” It made me cry, but in a good way.
Nowadays, I can’t believe I get to do what I love: tell stories that encourage teens to be who they are and to believe in themselves. And I get to write about werewolves and other cool stuff. I couldn’t have planned this literary happily-ever-after any better.
Anyway, I hope you have the courage to go after your dreams, too. And remember, say what you have to say…and never worry about the cold spaghetti.
Love and Light,