Please help me welcome, Amy Durham. I am so excited to share this inspirational post with you. When I first read it, I walked away feeling inspired enough to write something new. Thank you for that, Amy.
~ ~ ~
We’ve all heard it before. “Dream big.” “Never give up on your dreams.” “If you can dream it, you can acheive it.” All of these sayings are good reminders, but I think sometimes we hear them so much they lose their zing and pass into our ears and right back out again without affecting us at all.
Years ago, when I was a freshman in high school, the first book I was assigned to read for my English class was “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. I’d read a few books before, and had discovered that I liked reading for pleasure. So, unlike most of my class, I wasn’t turned off by this assignment. I rather enjoyed it! And because I had a time frame for reading the book, I discovered that I could read quickly and finish a book in no time! What I didn’t know then was that the author would one day have “words” for me as a writer.
Mark Twain himself was born an ordinary boy (Samuel Clemens) into an ordinary family in 1835. The son of a judge, he suffered poor health as a child, and though he eventually recovered enough to attend school, his father fell ill with pneumonia and died when Samuel was 12 years old. The following year, Samuel left school, choosing instead to become a printer’s apprentice. Two years later, he joined his brother’s newspaper, working as an editorial assistant, and discovered a love of writing that sparked one of literature’s greatest.
Did Samuel Clemens know from the time he was a young child that he would become a famous author whose works would stand the test of time? Probably not. But that didn’t stop him from becoming Mark Twain. I think the quote below reminds us not just to “dream big” and “never give up”, but also to realize that even though we don’t know what the future will hold, years from now it would be terribly disappointing to regret that we didn’t try at all to achieve our dreams, and far better to know that we gave it our all.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
One of the things that attracts me most to Young Adult fiction (both reading it and writing it) is that it inspires that attitude. The young people reading YA fiction are at the age where nothing seems impossible and dreaming is encouraged. I love the thought that a book can plant, water, and nurture the seeds of dreaming and achievement in a young heart, and encourage readers to “catch the trade winds” in their sails, and “explore… dream… discover.”
~ ~ ~
Layla doesn’t want to fit in; she wants to blend in and stay out of the spotlight. But the spotlight is where she winds up when she catches the eye of school cross-country star and all-around-nice-guy Lucas Ellis. She quickly learns there’s more at stake than high school reputations when she and Lucas discover they are the reincarnations of a young married couple from the mid-1800s who suffered a horrible tragedy at the hands of a madman who was never brought to justice. After a series of frightening visions show Layla and Lucas glimpses of their past-lives, they realize that the villain of their previous existence has also been reincarnated, in the form of a fellow high school student who targets them with teenage pranks that soon turn dangerous. As they grow closer, will Layla and Lucas be able
to uncover the truth in time to stop the same tragedy from unfolding once again?
She lives in Kentucky, where she is a middle school teacher. She and her husband of 15 years are raising three wild, intelligent, and creative boys, giving her plenty of fodder for the love and adventure she enjoys putting in her stories
Hi Amy,
That quote is one of my favorites, and I have it on a T-shirt, which is sadly wearing out! YA is an exciting genre for adults to read too. I seem to be reading more and more of this genre. All the best with Once Again. Reincarnation is a fascinating theme
Thanks so much! I agree that YA is an exciting genre for adults to read as well. I love that it can allow us to revisit the exuberance, excitement, and even the heartbreak of our youth. I think adults need that a lot of times to continue to “dream”! Thanks for coming by!
What a great post! Every time I start a new novel, I feel the kind of happiness I know I can’t find doing something else. Mark Twain is right. In twenty years, it’s what we wished we did.
Amazing how books can create that kind of euphoria, isn’t it? I, too, love that excitement that bubbles at the start of a new book. I’d hate to look back twenty years from now and realize I’d missed it! Thanks for commenting!
A little addition to the original post:
Earlier this week, ONCE AGAIN, became available on iBooks and in print via Amazon. I forgot to send those links to Ciara before posting. If anyone is interested, here they are!
iBooks
Paperback (Amazon)
And… let me take this opportunity to thank Ciara for allowing me the pleasure of hanging out here at her cyber-home. I really appreciate it! I’m always grateful to network with other authors! So… BIG THANKS!
My pleasure, Amy. It’s great to have you here. Again, I loved your post.
Amy, I love reading YA– And your novel sounds really intriguing. Glad you pursued your dreams.
Thanks so much Lindi! YA is a fantastic genre… for kids and adults alike!
Amy what a fantastic post…I wish you all the best with your writing…
Thank you Savannah! So glad you stopped by!
He is an inspiration to me as well. I love his quote:
My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water. Mark Twain
It tells me I don’t have to try writing the literary wine. I can enjoy writing my fun water.
Your book sounds great!
Laura – Thank you so much! I love that Twain quote. So encouraging to us as writers!
Oh, Amy! You are an inspiration and brought tears of pride because your words ring so true in what we all strive to achieve as writers. Great blog post!
{Waving to my fellow TMP author} Hey Ciara! Thanks for inviting Amy to share a bit about what inspires her. You’re both at the top of my TBR pile!
~Taryn
Thanks for stopping by Taryn!!!
This was an inspirational post. Great Mark Twain quote.
I like the premise of the book. Good luck, Amy!
Thanks so much Theresa! Glad you stopped by!
Oh wow. This sounds awesome! Best of luck to your writing career!
Thanks Lynn! I appreciate the well-wishes!!
I’ve always liked Mark Twain, too. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn are such a great young characters. Love the quote!
Thanks Kristen! I have fond memories of Tom & Huck from high school! Glad you stopped by!
Twain’s quote is so true! That’s why I went for it with my first book. I figured I’d regret it if I didn’t.
Good for you Alex! And thanks for stopping by!
What a great post today. Growing up Mark Twain was one of my favorite authors.
Amy your book about two lovers from the past remeeting in the present with the villain still there sounds wonderful and I’m going to have to get it.
Thank you so much, Lindsay! I’m so glad you like the premise of the book!
Hi Amy!
Great inspirational quote from one of my all time favorite authors.
Thank you so much Johanna! Glad you stopped by!
That’s a great quote from Mark Twain. Thanks for sharing it. Now I’ll have to use it at the office.
Thanks Michael! I love quotes like that. If I’m having a lousy day at work, I find a quote or two to inspire me!
Hi Amy! This is a great post! I really like these Mark Twain quotes. Like a LOT.
Congrats to your success. Your book looks GREAT!
Thank you so much! Glad you stopped by!
Thanks, Amy, for the inspiration. What a great quote.
Glad you stopped by, Tess! Thank!
sounds like a nice one, my ladies
Thanks for stopping by!!
That is a great Mark Twain quote. I wish I’d heard it when I was younger, but i guess it’s never too late!
Your book sounds wonderful. Thanks Ciara and Amy!
Thank you Lydia! And no… I don’t think it’s ever too late to pursue your dreams!
This sounds like a really fun read! Ciara, thanks for hosting Amy. Happy weekend to you both.
Thanks Carol! I’m so glad you stopped by!
Any book that has a lead character named Layla has got to be good (’cause that’s the name of my lead too). I’ve always loved the theme of reincarnation, so I’ll be checking out this book.
Helena – Thanks so much for stopping by! Layla is a beautiful name, isn’t it? I hope you like the book
Amy – It’s been great having you here today. I hope you’ve enjoyed hanging out with us.
Thanks so much for allowing me to be here today. I’ve enjoyed conversing with your readers!
I feel like I’ve attended a flash motivation speech. I’m feeling pretty good about reaching for my dreams.
Thanks Angela! So glad you stopped by!
This book sounds great! It’s nice to meet Amy and read about her book. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of reincarnation.
Sounds like an interesting book!
I love the Mark Twain quote. Very true.
Hello Ann Durham!! Love the quote from Mark Twain! I too say sail forth boldly – you lose nothing by trying and everything by not!
Good luck with your yummy book! Layla and Lucas sound like a fabulous dream team! Take care
x
Very inspirational post, yes Amy you are correct, never ever limit dreams, there are too many limitations in life. Keep writing more great stories!