Dreams Can Come True...

Put you goals out there. I've had this plan with me from the start

So today is a big day for me... It's one I've worked towards and visualized for a long time. As you've probably gathered I've been working on writing my memoir (also titled Thoughts.Stories.Life.) for the past 18 months, and last six months solid. It's been a goal of mine for a very long time but last year I started in earnest putting the story together and going through the process of this grand dream. I finished the rough draft a few weeks ago but it was still so bare and simple. So the last month has been a very intense process of rewriting adding details late into the night, every night.

So I apologize that I haven't written a post in a week or so I've just been so focused on getting this book FINISHED. Knowing that it's very close to ready I began sending out "query letters" to prospective agents about two weeks ago. For those of you unfamiliar with publishing (as I was before I spent the last year researching it) the first step to traditional publishing is to get a Literary Agent to represent your book to the publishing houses.


So these are the steps I'm working on moving through...

• Step 1. Write and finish the book
• Step 2. Get an agent (often the most difficult part of the process)
• Step 3. The agent find a publishing editor at one of the major publishing houses who wants to read your manuscript.
• Step 4. They buy the book and agree to publish it. 
• Step 5. Book tour/publicity 

It's difficult for a new writer to be picked up by an agent, and even more difficult for the agent to get publishers to want to read a new writers work. Memoirs are particularly hard to sell because there are so many rules about what makes a memoir these days, fiction is much easier. So I know I have a long road a head. But I am not dissuaded. I am steadfast in my belief and conviction that it will be sold to a major publishing house and that my story will be able to touch people all over the world from every walk of life.  Thus proving that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

I believe in putting your goals out there and taking the jump off the cliff which scare you the most. So to that end I'm putting my goals out there for all of you to hold me accountable too (damn that is scary!) But things don't just randomly happen, we make them happen. By envisioning them clearly, believing that they will come to us and then putting it out there in the Universe to draw those opportunities to us.

So here it is.... I want this book to be on the New York Times Best Seller List. I don't say that with arrogance believing I'm an amazing writer. I say that because I know the story that I'm telling in these pages is intense, human, raw on a level that nothing I've ever read comes close.  And because I'm convinced that I'm not the only one feeling the way I do. I know that when you read it you will relate and I pray you will also be inspired. But let me just warn you that it's INTENSE. If you think I lay myself bare in this blog, than just wait for the book! This blog is like 10% of what I tell in the book! But again it's human. I'm just willing to put it out there and be naked and see-through (not sure if it's a good thing or not!). But that is my goal, there I said it!

So today I signed with Literary Agent Tia Greene,  Step #2 in my process and a big one at that. I know she has a fire for this project the way that I do and I'm thrilled to be working with her. I got full-body chills today as I drove home listening to "Written in the Stars" and realizing I am on my way... This is going to be the start of an amazing journey and I'm so bless to have you all along with me for this ride.

~Written by: Sarah Centrella for Thoughts.Stories.Life.
 *This is an interactive blog please leave your comments and thoughts, I will respond :)