Hang on to Your Dreams and Write, Write, Write

"Veil of Dreams" (detail) MM Sikes

If you have a dream, hold on to it and write, write, write. I recently read an article about best-selling author Cathy Maxwell, and it made me remember how important it is to hang onto your dreams, especially if you are a writer.

I've known Cathy for over 20 years, from the time before she was a published author. She joined Virginia Romance Writers a few years after it was founded and soon undertook the role of a vivacious leader in the organization.Cathy has an amazing smile, and long after she leaves a room you remember her smile. That beautiful, happy attitude has helped Cathy become and remain an outstanding, successful author in historical romance. The article I read said that it took Cathy two years to sell the first novel she wrote. She now has 22 published novels and has been part of five anthologies.

Cathy had a dream, and despite adversity when she lost her husband in a tragic accident, she hung on and continued to write. Romance novels account for nearly 50% of mass market paperback sales. Her books are part of that popular market.

But you don't have to be a romance writer to be a selling author. If you dream about writing mystery or even non-fiction paranormal books, hang on to those dreams and keep writing. Write, write, write until you sell. That is a real key to success.