As I watched the closing ceremony for the 2012 Olympic games last Sunday night, I felt a small burst of panic in my chest. I wasn't worried about what I would watch on tv now that the games are over--I still have a season-and-a-half of Mad Men waiting in my Netflix queue. I became anxious about this blog post--afraid readers' eyes would glaze over at yet another Olympic analogy. When I scheduled this blog, I didn't realize the games would be over. I thought it would be easy to work everyone into that rah-rah spirit one more time. You see, right in the middle of this year's games I had my very own Olympic moment: my Harlequin Superromance debut OUT OF THE DEPTHS was released. (In my mind, I'm hearing the roar of deafening applause right now).
Like those athletes we watched, my journey to this point wasn't easy. I suffered the agony of defeat several times. My first book (which took me six months to write and six years to revise:-) was contracted by a small publisher six years ago. Four months before it was to be released, the publisher filed for bankruptcy, and took my manuscript along for the ride. It was almost a year before I got my rights back.
By that time, I had written a second book, but I was pretty gun-shy. When I finally had the courage to put my babies back out there, I received offers of contracts for them from two small pubishers within three weeks of each other. The caveat was that the first one was ebook only, while the second was ebook with print books available as print-on-demand. I was proud. I had two books published, and one I could actually hold in my hands.
But I had an even higher goal to attain.
So last week, when I walked into the Books-A-Million in my hometown and found OUT OF THE DEPTHS staring back at me from the shelf, it was that dream-come-true moment. My husband and I were giddy. I squealed. He laughed. We took pictures, not caring about the strange looks we were getting.
In my mind, I was standing on the podium, and someone had just placed a gold medal around my neck. It wouldn't have surprised me a bit if the Star Spangled Banner had come blasting through the speakers.
In years to come, when people speak of the 2012 Olympics and all the amazing stories of triumph that came out of those games, I'll swell with pride remembering my very own moment of glory.
So how about you? Give us a glimpse of that moment that was pure gold for you. For the first time here, I get to give away a copy of my new book to someone who comments (squeeeee!!!:-)
33 comments:
Hi Pamela ~ I just picked up a copy of your book today. I'm looking forward to reading it.
My Gold moment came when I was 35 years old. I was tired of having all my nieces and nephews getting their licenses to drive. I signed myself up for driver's education classes and got my driver's license in a week!Then quite a few years later I helped my younger brother get his license to drive when he was 55. Both of us love driving much more than my older sister does. She got her license when she was 23 and her husband taught her how to drive. My husband gave up on me when I almost ran into a light standard in a parking lot when I was 21. In his defense it was his first ever brand new car that I was trying to learn on.
Congratulations Pamela. How cool to see your book on the shelves and have your husband rejoice with you. Interesting about the driving Kaelee. We were farm kids we were all driving tractors, trucks, jeeps by the time we were 13 :). I think I have many little gold moments, but one I remember quite well. I was 19 yrs old and climbing 19 miles to the top of Mauna Loa. We did it in 2 days. When I reached the top, I had a wicked headache. I drank over a liter of water before it started to subside. As it subsided I started to realize I had accomplished my goal. I started walking around to loosten up my limbs and stood on an outcrop listening to the silence and giving myself a pat on the back. I made it to the top! As i was standing there on the summit looking at the clouds in the distance with my back to the sun, I saw Mauna Loa silhouetted in the clouds. That was an awesome moment that I will never forget. That was a gold medal moment.
Gold Medal moments should be celebrated.
I can remember applying for & being accepted into my dream job. It's euphoric. You feel like nothing can stand in your way ever again.
Snookie ~ Being on the top of a mountain is definitely a gold medal moment. I've climbed a few and it's always a rush.
Yay, Pamela! What an awesome rush that must have been.
And I love Snookie's summit and Kaelee's adventure,too. My grandmother learned to drive late in life, too. She had to go to work because my grandfather had a heartattack and couldn't work as a mail carrier. At the age of 40, she got her license and went to work. Pretty awesome when you can accomplish something like that.
I suppose my big moment was finaling in the Golden Heart. It was a big deal to me because it was a sign that I was good enough. I've loved all the other things that have come since in my writing life, but that one always stands out. I got the call and lay down in my living room and cried.
Enjoy your golden moment, Pamela!
Kaelee (LOVE your name, BTW. In my head, I'm putting the same emphasis on both syllables), getting your driver's license is indeed a gold medal moment. I live in a rural area with no public transportation available, so everyone drives here at an early age. When I staarted making firends in larger cities, I was astonished to learn that many of them didn't drive--had never had the need. Kudos to you for taking that step and then inspiring so many others to follow!
(pssst--hope you enjoy the book!)
Wow, Snookie! You gave me my first goosebumps of the day with the image you described! A two-day mountain climb? Amazing to me--and something I'm probably never going to try;-) A gold medal to you along with my most hardy congratulations!
Marybelle, I have a friend who says he's retired because he's doing the work he always dreamed of doing so it doesn't seem like work. Sounds like you and he have a lot in common. Congratulations on your dream-come-true. It's not called our occupation for no reason. How lovely to spend your time doing what you love to do and getting paid for it!
Liz, Wow! What a golden moment that must've been. I get teary even imagining it. The validation that maybe we're good at what we do after all is such a heady feeling. Congratulations on your well-earned success!
Hi Pamela,
My gold moment hem... i think is when i won book from author (maybe because i never win anything except book :)) especially when they are so kind to send me the book and no problem with the shipping cost which i knew that the cost is quite expensive but still i want to win and feel the excitement when get an email and found that i win book :D
Finaling in the Golden Heart the same year as my close friend and critique partner finaled was a hoot. But for some reason, winning the Daphne du Maurier felt like the ultimate of accomplishments for me.
Eli, you warm my heart! It is a thrill for me knowing that winning one of our books brings you joy. I wish you many, many wins, my friend!
Kate, sounds like you hit the Trifecta! A Golden Heart final shared with a friend and a du Maurier, too! That's when you shake your head in amazement at how good life can be. And a Rita has to be looming somewhere on the horizon:-)
Now it's confession time. KAELEE is my husband's and my initials. When I first started blogging in 2008 on the Harlequin site there were quite a few people named Linda on the site. After lurking for a while I figured out that lots of people had a blog name so I used Kaelee. (Quite frankly, I felt a bit safer as well.) I have seen the name Kaylee around in the news but never Kaelee. However, Kaelee has been a minor character in a book.(Thank you so much Samantha Hunter) It was a total shock and pleasure when I read it.
Love the confession--especially since the name is a combination of the two. That makes it more special!
Congratulations, Pam on your Olympic moment. Sounds like you had a few hurdles to cross
It's never easy is it, Rogenna? But worth it all!
Pamela, your publishing history sounds wrought with ups and downs! Congratulations on being published by Harlequin!!!
My Gold moment was definitely getting published. It took eleven years of intense effort, but boy was it worth it ;-)
YAY, Pamela!!! I'm thrilled for you and I so look forward to reading your story! I have it, and it has been calling my name for a few weeks now. :-) Congratulations not only on your release, but for hanging in there! Definitely my golden moment was getting the call. It's especially sweet when you've waited a long time for it. :-)
Congrats, Pamela!
My gold moment was getting published but really, each time I finish a book I get a burst of pride and sense of accomplishment :-)
Congrats for the release of your new book Pamela. My gold moment is when I graduated from high school as the best graduated students:).aretha zhen, arethazhenATrocketmailDOTCOM
Pamela,
Congratulations!! It's an awesome feeling, isn't it? Wishing you many more golden moments.
Just finshed reading Out of the Depths last night. What a great story Pamela ;). Looking forward to reading more from you.
Thanks somuch, Snookie! The Summer Place will be out in April 2013:-)
Mary, I'm in such amazing company. Glad to share the golden moment:-)
Kathy,
I've been without Internet for three days and am late getting back to my comments. I know what you mean about books calling to us. I have 4 Supers on my bedside table! I've started THE OTHER SOLDIER and am loving it.
You said it, Beth! Just finishing that story gives me such a feeling of accomplishment! I hope that feeling never goes away:-)
Aretha, what a golden moment! That is a fabulous accomplishment that should indeed be proud of! Congratulations and (((hugs))).
Thanks for the well-wishes, Linda! Your lips to God's ears:-)
Pamela, congratulations!! My gold moment was getting published, too--finally, after all those years of writing and submitting. Another gold moment was finishing the sophomore book to deadline. (Every time a story comes together is wonderful!!)
We have so much in common, Cathryn! I'm working diligently to get that sophomore book revised, too. I'm almost finished--and so glad to have the longer word count:-)
hi pamela, waw i read all of them stories, very interesting moment. for me, to win a contest (gift are the balls from worldcup 200. i forgot) and i can show to my boys that her mommy have won that ball for him.
I'll bet your boys get so excited from that prize, Cecilia! From the World Cup! Wow! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing.
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