Reading-Writing-Publishing

When I was younger, my biggest dream was to be a writer. Actually, that's not true. I WAS a writer. My biggest dream was to be a PUBLISHED writer. While I did have a poem published in seventh or eighth grade, that's the closest I've come to publishing success.

I'd say that at that time, my all-time literary idols would be the following:

1. Sarah Dessen. When I first picked up This Lullaby, it was so different from anything I'd ever read. I sped through her books and to this day remain a devoted fan.

2. Jean Craighead George. My biggest passion: the Julie Trilogy (Julie of the Wolves, Julie, and Julie's Wolf Pack) To this day, I still look back on that series with fond memories, and I would recommend to all young readers. I read a few of her other novels, but these were the ones that really stood out.

3. Natalie Babbitt. Tuck Everlasting... wow. I still revisit this book from time to time. It's absolutely mind blowing. It would be incredible if I had writing and creative talents equal to Babbitt's with this novel.

4. Sharon Creech. To me, she was the Sarah Dessen of middle grade writers. I loved the combination of family and romance and adventure that Creech included in all of her novels.

If my writing abilities were even half of what these authors have, I would be set for life. And that's not me bashing my own talents. I know that I am a good writer, and with enough ambition I might even be able to get somewhere.

But lately I've been thinking outside the box. Is there a way to work with writing, and books, and feel completely satisfied? And at this moment I feel like I have found the solution.

Publishing.

There IS a way to work with writing and books and everything I'm passionate about. And by pursuing a career in publishing I may not accomplish my goal of publishing my own book, but I have the opportunity to help others accomplish their goals. It's a completely win-win situation.

I wanted to share this just because my readers are obviously book lovers, and perhaps there are some authors, or bloggers interested in getting published. Maybe there are others who are in the same boat as I am?