Last night I was lucky enough to meet the eloquent Ms. Diana Gabaldon. For those of you who are not familiar with the name (shame on you!), she is the Author of the Best Selling series Outlander.
As a historical fiction writer, I have to say that she is unparalleled in her ability to tear readers out of their living rooms and drop them right into a scene from 18thScotland.
She was at a book signing in my beautiful little city of Victoria BC and a few friends and I sat vibrating with excitement in her audience.
If you ever experience a moment when you have a fleeting feeling of self-doubt, think about this woman. If you begin to wonder if you are EVER going to be the person you dreamed of being when you were young and impressionable, readGabaldon's biography. You WILL be inspired to set your sights even higher.
I want to break it down for you, with some quick facts about Diana Gabaldon:
She didn't start writing her first book until she was 35, even though she dreamed of being an author since she was 15
It's always too early to give up hope if you truly want to accomplish something
When she started writing, she was working 2 full time jobs and had 3 children under 6
HA! Just try convincing yourself you don't have time with THIS thought in mind!
Her first book published was a series of unspecified length with a first book coming in at 300,000 words.
The average newbie author typically shoots for about 70,000
Since the publication of her first book in 1991,
she has written 6 more novels in the series and is currently working on the 8thbook
She has also written 3 novels of a side series, developing the 4thas I type
She frequently edits and writes for Anthologies
She has written 4 major works of non-fiction
She just released a Graphic Novel (big and exciting news for fans)
With this list of NON-FICTION accomplishments, I imagine she could make me feel inadequate on even my most ambitious days. Rather than feeling less-than-impressive, though, I choose to use her as an example of what could be. She is an ordinary human and if she can overcome the odds, so can I.
So can you. Don't get discouraged, get creative!
Keep in mind, always, that you don't have to tow the line, but you can and should spread your reach outside the box.
Historical Fiction to Graphic Novelist.
Pool Supplier to On-Call Service Provider.
Service Company to Weekend Guest Speaker.
Pool Builder to Backyard Dreamscaper.
Comments
It can be intimidating to have a person like that around if you allow yourself look downward on yourself. Stories like Diana Gabaldon's should raise a person to there best, and help motivate you too do the best you can and be more than you are.