That's right, after five long years, I have The Bluffs between Us 'author proof' in my hands. Finally, my later-in-life contemporary romance novel sees the light of day! 

And I feel different. Content, accomplished, and a little smug that I've succeeded where 99% of Americans have not--I've completed a book, albeit self-published, and it will be available to the world in the next few weeks.

I know the work is not done. I know the marketing process is very tricky and very tough. I know most authors hate this part of their career. I get it. We want to write, to create, not figure out ways to make money.

But here's the thing I keep thinking: it can't be any worse! It can't be worse than the years this work has taken from start to finish. It can't be worse than the sleepless nights. It can't be worse than the impostor syndrome, the "who am I kidding, pretending to be an author?" Or the re-writes, the editing, the looking for another way to say, "he caressed her cheeks."

It can't be worse. And that's because I've immersed myself in the writing community. I have local romance writer friends with whom I share lunch at one of our homes once a month. I have a romance meet-up group full of younger writers who've taken on the technology I don't even want to try. I have an accountability partner with whom I text Monday through Friday with goals and accomplishments. I belong to a local writers and illustrators organization that provides constant inspiration. Twice a week, I get on a Zoom call with other indie authors for a 90-minute focused writing session.

Many of the writers I mingle with are like me, or like I was not long ago, pre-published. However, more importantly, many are authors with several books under their belts. And they are willing to help, to show me how to do things (or take on those tasks for me), and to celebrate my wins, no matter how small.

When I woke up this morning, to the world I looked like the same woman I was yesterday--a 72-year-old wife, mother, grandmother, and sister--with one exception. I am now a published romance author. And today I have a new mantra, one I can embrace with all my heart: I've got this!

I'd love to hear about a project you've accomplished that's changed your outlook on life. Please share!