What’s your dream… by Cari Lynn Webb

February was my debut release month with Harlequin Heartwarming. I’ll admit to shedding a few tears when the box of Make Me A Match books arrived at my house. I was alone in my kitchen, holding a book with my name on the cover. There was something surreal about seeing a long time dream realized. That was the last “quiet” moment before we headed into release week. There were Facebook parties, author chats and a blog tour that all gave me the chance to interact with new readers and old friends. Release week was busy, overwhelming and wonderful. It was okay to talk, post and tweet about Make Me A Match. (I’m still trying to embrace the idea of self-promotion without cringing.) But this was all part of my dream to be a published author coming true. This was expected.

What wasn’t expected was the tremendous support and encouragement from family and friends, both new and old. What I’d never envisioned in my dream was my two daughters asking for signed copies of Make Me A Match and then taking those copies to school to show their teachers. (And the girls’ teachers asking where they could get a copy.). My dream hadn’t included walking into my parents’ house in sweatpants and discovering a surprise party for my release orchestrated by my husband. (Or the cake with the Make Me A Match cover again designed by my husband).

I’d only really dreamed of my name on a book cover. I just never knew my first Heartwarming release would be so much more: It was a moment to connect with friends and family to share my passion for stories about romance and true love. It was a moment to realize my husband wanted this as much (if not more) than me. It was a moment to finally look my daughters in their eyes and tell them that, yes, dreams do come true if you work hard, believe and have faith.
And it was a moment that will be remembered, but even more a reminder to expand my dream. (I want to repeat release month. Not because I want another surprise party – although spending time with good friends is never bad – but because I have more stories to share and a passion for writing that release month strengthened.) So now I’ll sign off to finish revisions on my next book to keep my Heartwarming dream going.

Happy reading and don’t forget to dream!

Cari

Comments

  1. Nothing like that first sale--and celebrating it with all the right people. LOVE that your hubby threw you a party. :) <3 What a great month!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations, Cari! Your fellow Heartwarmers understand the hard work and persistence that brought you to this place, so we all know what you're made of because you're one of us - wild muses, stubbornness, chocolate and coffee ( or in my case, tea.) And how cool that your forward momentum is fueled not only by your love of the work, but by a supportive and really thoughtful husband, and a proud and loving family. There's nothing out there to stop you now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations on your first sale, Cari. I hope you have many more! But, as Anna said, there's nothing like that very first one. I hope you took pictures of your celebration. They will be fun to look back on and recall the thrill.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cari, your post put a huge smile on my face. Congratulations, again, on the release of your debut! You're in great company with Melinda and Anna. I haven't had a chance to read Make Me A Match yet, but I look forward to doing so.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Major congratulations. Your launch story is wonderful. Maybe no release will be quite as special as the first one, but I still love seeing a cover for the first time. And also get a little shiver at seeing it on the book store shelf. You will have many more exciting moments. Enjoy every one. The book is in my stack to read.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations on fulfilling your dream. We all know how wonderful that is. More to come.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations to you!! I could feel the happiness emanating from your post. I love seeing people experience joy. I hope you continue to fulfill your dream. ( :

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a lovely post! I was tearing up as I read it. There is nothing like holding that first book in your hands. Enjoy!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. A little sniffly here, too. Thanks for inviting us all to the party--it's such a fun event to share! Congratulations, Cari!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations, and best wishes for many more successful books.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations, and best wishes for many more successful books.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cari, Congratulations! I am so happy for you. Your story brought tears (of joy) to my eyes. Yeah, who says dreams don't come true?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dreams are progressions of pictures, thoughts, feelings, and impressions that happen more often than not automatically in the psyche amid specific phases of rest. Dreams principally happen in the quick eye development phase of rest when cerebrum action is high and takes after that of being conscious. For more details Hirepaperwriter

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment