When Your Plans Fail Yet The Outcome Remains The Same.
In the year 2010, I enrolled in The Writer’s Institute Of Children’s Literature. The online writing course filled my heart with so much joy. I learned so much about children’s literature. Completing my assignments was a breeze. I felt like I was beginning to move in the right direction because I’ve always wanted to become a writer. But after seven months, all that comes to a screeching halt! My dream was placed on the back burner because I could no longer afford the writing classes. I had to do what was necessary to stabilize my circumstances financially. I can remember during that time, my future seemed so far away. My conditions seem so much bigger than my goals, I really couldn’t see past my circumstances. So for an extended period of time, I felt stuck. And in feeling stuck, I became extremely depressed.
What I didn’t understand back then was that trouble doesn’t last always. I mean, I hear the term plenty of times, especially in church but I couldn’t see the sun past the clouds. While going through such a frustrating period in my life, I began to journal. I wrote every raw emotion that came to mind. There were far more negative entries then there were positive, but I didn’t judge myself. I just had to get my feelings out on paper. Over time, I realize instead of complaining about all that was going wrong in my life, I began to try to figure out a plan b.
Plan B
Plan B began by doing Google Searches on Children’s Literature. The Google Searches turned into blogging and then blogging turned into other interest relating to writing. Although I wasn’t able to finish the writing institute, I was still doing what I loved.
In April 2016, I won a free book publishing deal which pushed me into overload in writing my first book. The exciting part about that time in my life, I had already begun writing two books. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to release my natural hair book for teens, which wasn’t completed and didn’t have a title at the time or to publish my memoir. After much thought, it became clear to me that publishing my book for teens was the best choice. I already had a vast audience relating to children’s hair care.
I finished writing my book in June 2017. It wasn’t until November 2017 that I decided self-publishing was the best option for me. January 6, 2018, my book Coming Of Age: The Easy Guide To Healthy Hair Care for Teens was launched. Since, January, the business opportunities have been incredible. I am finally in a place in my life where I am able to do what I’ve always wanted. I have secured a few paid speaking gigs thank to writing Coming Of Age.
Another View Of Patience
I have a young client who’s mom work in the transportation planning sector. Her job is to plan for the future. When Metropolitan Areas make changes to traffic and transportation, it takes years, sometimes decades of preparing before the public even realizes what is to come. To develop plans for mass transit, the developers understand that each step is strategic, not entirely set in stone initially and the majority of their job requires levels of patience because transportation isn’t solely about servicing people who need a ride but also the advancement of neighborhoods and businesses. The majority of the planning is to support the future.
As I concluded today’s post, I’ll admit experiencing a setback is devastating, but the feelings of being stuck will not always be your reality. Even though I wasn’t able to complete the writing institute, my dream of becoming a children’s author has indeed come to past. Yes, it took me many years to be where I am today, but I am here! The road leading me to become an author wasn’t perfect. However, the desire of becoming a writer was fulfilled. I encourage you to be inspired. No matter what stage of life you are currently in if the passion on your heart is alive within you, all your dreams will come true. Simply hang in there. Try to be patient.
Keianna Johnson 