It’s 9-9-09, and you know what that means? Happy release day to Kaleb Nation! Kaleb’s debut novel, Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse hits shelves today (officially at least-fans have reported finding it in stores early). I have been impatiently waiting to hit up my friendly neighborhood bookseller all day. I might cry if they have sold out already. Or, yanno, curse myself for not preordering, and then tell them to call me when they get more. Whatever.
Kaleb is just a young pup-20 years old is *really* young to have a novel published (yes, I know about Christopher Paolini, SE Hinton, and the like, but still). So, with the release of Bran Hambric, I find myself looking back on my life and imagining how it could be different (I say as if I am ancient at the ripe old age of 25). Here’s a quick breakdown.
- I decided I wanted to be an author when I was seven.
- Writing was quickly sidelined for:
- BMX racing
- Drill Team (the baton twirling, high kicking kind)
- More AP classes than anyone should ever take in high school
- College in Idaho and Hawai’i
- Massage Therapy school
- yanno, life and stuff
- Throughout all this, I was writing, but not seriously.
- Shortly after a got married just over a year ago, I decided I *still* want to be an author.
- I began to pour myself into writing, learning the business, and networking.
And that, my friends, is where I stand today. How would things be different had I been pursuing the dream that whole time? I dunno. Would I be published today? I dunno. Would I like to trade places with Kaleb? Go back in time and at 20 years old release what some are calling “the most anticipated young adult novel of the year”?
Not a chance.
Whoa, wait…back up. Didn’t I just say I have wanted to be a writer since I was just a little scapper? Well, yes, yes I did. But all those things that got in the way and pushed my writing to the side? I wouldn’t trade those things for the world. I am who I am today because of those things. And I like who I am.
So, me and my old (ha!) self will continue on this path I have laid out. I won’t look back and wonder what if; I will only look forward and work for what I want.
I am excited to see what is in store for me. I am excited for tomorrow; I am excited for twenty years from now. Bring it on.
