An Interesting Quote and A Dream Come True
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15962)
United States
March 14, 2017 10:10am CST
George Eliot said: “It is never too late to become what you might have been.” I must say that I agree with this wholeheartedly.
I had always wanted to be a published novelist and I have always been able to write and express myself by writing and creating poetry.
I worked for two different newspapers and published “human interest” stories, but I really wanted to write a novel AND I wanted to get it published.
So, I wrote a novel, back in the 80s and entered it in a contest. I did not win the contest, but I saved the manuscript and came across it a about a year or so ago, when I started cleaning out my “home office” after retiring from my jewelry business of over 35 years.
I decided to update the novel and a friend of mine helped me get it published, so now I have 15 copies of the published novel in my possession.
I haven’t sold any copies of the novel, but I have presented some of them as gifts to my family and friends.
I may never sell any of them, but that’s OK. I can at least say, that I am a published novelist, FINALLY, after all these years.
So, whether you are young or old, you can still be whatever “you might have been.”
Don’t give up on a dream that you have.
Make up your mind to pursue that dream and accomplish what you have always hoped to accomplish.
It’s just a matter of determination and focus.
8 people like this
9 responses
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Hmmm... well done on getting your novel published, Alice. I am happy you finally achieved your life-long dream!
When I was still in High School I wrote poetry constantly. I thought that someday, maybe someone would read one of my poems and declare me to be the best poet the world had ever known.... When I turned 18, by a weird stroke of luck, someone did love my poetry enough to help me get a book of it published. When I was 19, someone sent my book to a nationally acclaimed critic... he claimed I didn't have a jot of talent for writing poetry in my body... Every bit of effort and work I had put into that book turned to ash when I read his opinions...
I stopped writing anything. No poetry, no short stories... not even a diary... I went so far as to deny the book was mine... Then, one day on Bubbs, someone was talking to me (When we could still converse on our profiles.) and she fell into a whimsical mood, writing a poem to express how she was feeling at the time... I have always tended to respond to a person in the same vein they used to talk to me...... I responded with a bit of doggerel.... and finally remembered something important!
It didn't matter what a critic had said... the only thing that mattered was how writing poetry made me feel.
I still hide my verse from prying eyes, usually only posting a bit when I believe everyone else on myLot is done bothering with the thread... but, as far as I can remember, I have written two poems before the threads were abandoned.... IDC what anyone says, I write them for me...
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
16 Mar 17
@IreneVincent On Bubbs I met a real author. I told her that story, but only after she had proven to me who she was... (I've read her books for years and loved her stories!) She told me she wished she had as much talent as I showed in my book...
She also said that anyone who is a critic became a critic because they were jealous of those who have the talent and nerve to create what the critic can never hope to achieve. (I wish I had met her when I was 19. I might have seen my dream come true, too!)
You keep writing. You have the nerve and fortitude to make your dreams come true. 
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Don't ever stop writing because of what any critic says. Sometimes, I think critics are just jealous of someone else's talent.
3 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
16 Mar 17
please write one for us.Or post one of your verses.1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Thank you, Beatburn!
I appreciate this!
2 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
14 Mar 17
I'm glad you liked it. Follow your dream and make it happen.
3 people like this
@Beatburn (4287)
• Philippines
15 Mar 17
@DaddyEvil Don't mention it. I knew you'd like earnest posts.
2 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Yes, I'm happy that I got my novel published,. And I'm happy that I'm getting some other things accomplished also.
3 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
14 Mar 17
I've read your poetry and writings . I liked them.
Whats the name of this novel ? Whats it about?4 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
14 Mar 17
The name of my novel is "A Total Commitment" It's basically a "romance" novel but its also about breeding and training Thoroughbred race horses.
2 people like this
@dramagirl26 (3259)
• Ringgold, Virginia
14 Mar 17
Congratulations on following your dream and publishing your novel. I did the same thing with my stories too.
4 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
14 Mar 17
That's excellent! Where is Ringgold? I live just south of Richmond, Virginia. I don't think I've ever heard of Ringgold. I'll have to find it on the map.
2 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
15 Mar 17
@dramagirl26 OK I've been to Danville several times.
2 people like this
@dramagirl26 (3259)
• Ringgold, Virginia
15 Mar 17
@IreneVincent It's near Danville. Ringgold is more of a rural area.
2 people like this
@almostoveryou (4189)
• Philippines
14 Mar 17
Congratulations on your published novel! You're an inspiration.
2 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Thanks. I am very happy about getting my novel published so that I can give it to my friends and family members. It doesn't matter to me whether anyone else buys it or not.
1 person likes this
@abhinalstrikr (4111)
• India
15 Mar 17
Beautifully said and achieved but sometimes we loose ourself inorder to find the dream and happiness,we need lots of energy and courage to pursue it,but the need say we should keep walking,as no other way
2 people like this
