The SHEro Changing My Life

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StrengthHasNoGender #cbias #CollectiveBias

It was brought to my attention recently that I don’t talk a whole lot about my goals in terms of writing here on the blog.  Originally when I began the blog, I hoped to incorporate more of that information, but as time went on there wasn’t a lot to report and it didn’t fit with recipes and fashion tips.

However, writing is a HUGE part of me, bigger than cooking and baking and makeup and fashion and concerts.  It’s my life and there’s a good chance that even if I am not in front of the computer writing or revising, I’m thinking about the projects I’m working on or the next one to commence.

My real passion in life is writing and it has been for ten years now.  I have seven completed manuscripts, five completed screenplays, one speculative television pilot, and I am just about done writing my first ever stage play.  Whoa, that’s a lot.

I’m not saying they’re all genius or should see the light of day, but some of them are good.  Four of the manuscripts have great potential.  Two of them have received tons of good feedback and one more is just in the revising stage, which means Mom has her red pen handy.  All of the screenplays have received good feedback.

But when you are trying to land an agent, manager, producer, or publisher, it’s not just about being good.  It’s about getting lucky and having the right connections.  Little did I know that when Dad landed a new job just over three years ago, I would inch toward my goals slowly and steadily with the help from his boss.

Jana is the CEO of the lighting company for which Dad is the plant manager.  The company has been in business and in her family for 126 years, which is an accomplishment all on its own, but it’s even more special that a woman now runs it.  She is my SHEro.

What’s a SHEro?  A courageous, strong, resilient, selfless woman who puts herself above others and shows any obstacle in her way who is really boss.  She’s a role model and thrives when faced with adversity.  Yeah, heroes are great and all, but as a woman, it’s really something to be able to turn to another woman for guidance, advice, and help.

I love that Brawny® inspired people to overcome life’s challenges and is doing so in particular with the Strength Has No Gender™ to tell the stories of women who are tackling male dominated industries and encourage other women to do the same.  Can you think of another woman CEO?  I bet you can’t, and I am lucky enough to have one on my side in a fight that often seems unwinnable.

Nearly all the leads I have received over the last three years are because of Jana.  She tells me about events with the opportunity to meet other authors, helps me connect with her friends who have been published, and puts me in touch with others who work in the industry or know someone who does.  One thing of which I am certain is that Jana knows a lot of people.

I also had the chance to connect with her daughter, who is just about my age and tackling the field of science.  Her knowledge and work ethic are so inspiring.  Even though our jobs could not be more different in many ways, the goal to break barriers and achieve our dreams bonds us together as we share the ups and downs of our journey with each other.  She also introduced me to an agent.

Because of Jana, I have had the opportunity to connect with about half a dozen agents, five published authors, and a handful of industry insiders.  Because even opportunities like this don’t always work out, I don’t have an agent yet, but nearly all of those agents had good things to say about my work.  They liked my characters or writing style, they saw potential in me or had to pass for reasons beyond my control, one even called me only to say she had too many other debut authors on her client list.

Even though I am not exactly where I want to be at this time, I am so thankful for Jana, her daughter, Mom, and all the other SHEroes in my life.  Without them, I would not have made such significant process and be moving closer and closer toward my goals each day.  I know without a doubt, I will have awesome news to share with you soon!

I hope I can inspire women to go after their dreams too.  Even if you think you can’t, even if you think it’s a man’s world or job or opportunity, even if you have so many doubts they sometimes paralyze you, go for it.  Know that there will be bad days, days when you think nothing good will happen, but they pass, things change, and this is our time.

I am so happy to be helping Brawny® spread the word about Strength Has No Gender™.  GIRLS INC. PARTNERSHIP MODULE SHEROES OF TOMORROW: Brawny® will donate a $100K and, will also give your SHEro stories to Girls Inc. to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Let’s shape a better future and prove #StrengthHasNoGender.

The special Brawny® Pick-a-Size 8 Giant Plus with Strength Has No Gender™ packaging available at Walmart is another favorite of mine.  I love that they take time to celebrate strong women and the paper towels are pretty awesome too.  They are on my side for coffee and snacks to fuel writing sessions and creativity.  Brawny® offers more sheets on every roll and helps me deal with whatever life throws down.

Please share the story of your SHEro with #StrengthHasNoGender and encourage a friend to do the same.  Leave a comment here or tag me on social media with your SHEro stories.  I want to hear them all!