Hello again and welcome to another installment of my Dream Chasers Newsletter! Sappy alert, this one gets a little mushy.

It’s that time of year again, when the weather is getting colder (at least in Connecticut), the leaves are dropping, and everything smells like cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Halloween, the last sentinel restraining the holiday season from exploding into the rest of the year, is now over and we are fully in the holiday season. While this time of year is often defined by Black “Friday” sales (those sales have apparently already started), family gatherings and gift giving, I like to remind myself that this holiday in particular is a time for gratitude.

Of course, I remind myself that every season is a season for gratitude. But it’s also easy to forget. So, as you can see by the photo for this section, I have a note to myself that I see every single day. Yes, that's really taped to the front of my computer monitor. And yes, I need to dust. The note is a reminder to myself that I am grateful, I am blessed, I am loved, and I am worthy. (And if you look closely, you’ll see I’m also prepared for the next time I have heart burn!)

Somedays it’s easy for me to know these things. Sometimes it’s a real struggle, and even the stalwart presence of Post-it note isn't enough to remind me. When the going gets really rough, it’s easy to succumb to the doubt, the insecurity, and the voice in my head that tries to tell me that I’ll never make this work. And some days, succumb I do.

The frustration and uncertainty of chasing a dream, of chasing this dream, is ever present, as I’ve talked about in the past. I often feel like I’m wasting time and resources that could be devoted to something more traditional and more secure. I admit that I’ve been tempted, repeatedly, to return to jobs and fields that I know will make me unhappy, simply because it would be much easier financially. Sometimes that temptation is so great that no Post-it note with inspirational reminders can stop me from job searching and applying, despite the overwhelming power of a Post-it note (writers, you know what I’m talking about).

That’s when the power player enters the game.

Tim (my husband) has never let me be completely consumed by the doubt and despair that anyone who is chasing a dream or a goal inevitably feels. He’s never once allowed me to give up, even when I begged and cried about it. He simply hugs me, then sits me down in my office chair, kisses me on the cheek, and tells me to write something. Anything. To forget everything else, and just do what I do best: write.

And it’s never failed. And I’m hoping it never will.

There will never be a time, no matter how much success I find, when I will be completely secure in my ability to make a living as an author. Most days I’ve got enough confidence to keep going. Somedays I need the Post-it note. And once in a while I need the faith and tough love of my favorite person to get me out of my head so I can get my head back in the game.

It is for this person, my Tim, that I am grateful. And blessed. And loved. And worthy.

Updates and Goals:

I’m making some headway on the short story reviews. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get to them all by my goal date of December 31st, but I’m trying my level best!

I’m doing National Novel Writer’s Month (NaNoWriMo) this month. I’m working on short stories so at the end of the event, if (no, when!) I “win” I’ll have a handful of short stories that I can work on to submit. I'm wildly behind, but I'm still trying!

I’m gearing up for my first semester at WCSU. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m in near constant contact with my program coordinator (who is amazing!) and I just couldn’t be more excited to get started!

Photo for this section courtesy of me!

That’s all! I mean, of course there’s more, but that’s all for the writing stuff! Keep reading to meet my latest Peer Highlight interviewee!

My next “guest” is another alum of the 2019 Writer’s Digest Annual Conference. I’ll confess, I don’t remember the exact circumstances that brought us together, but I was instantly drawn to her energy and excitement. We hung out together around the conference and just had the best time! Everyone, meet the incomparable and utterly delightful Sharon Drapeau!

Sharon’s writing journey began in high school, where a creative writing class introduced her to the wonders and joys of being an author. She wrote a “spooky story with a Disney twist,” and has since never looked back. But the realization that she wanted a career as a writer didn’t come until later.

Like many of my friends and peers, Sharon’s pursuits have always returned to writing. It wasn’t until recently that the passion comingled with the ambition, and a new career path was born. Of her writing, Sharon says, “It is the one consistent passion I’ve maintained since I was 14.”

Though she’s never been published, Sharon writes a bit of everything, from romances to crime mysteries to children’s stores, and everything in between. When others discover that she’s a writer, and the inevitable question follows (“what do you write?”), she says everything! “I love writing the things I like,” she says, “I write for women like me who want to escape from real life every now and then.” I love that Sharon recognizes that writing what you love shows in your work.

As with all of my fellow writers, Sharon is also so much more. She has been a birth advocate, and she currently runs her own Virtual Assistant business, holding a certificate as a Professional Virtual Author’s Assistant. She was also “nominated as a Producer on ‘No Small Parts’, a talk show interviewing actors from supporting roles.” And, she co-manages a writer’s group in New Rochelle, NY. Of this last endeavor, Sharon says, “I love the connections I’ve made to authors that have varying writing styles.”

And Sharon does all of this on top of being a mom, wife, sister, and loyal friend. She says, “I love seeing my friends succeed!” I love that too, which is why I do this!

I asked Sharon if she had a quote or mantra she keeps in mind when pursuing her dreams. Her answer is so wonderful and unique! She says, “No, but every year I choose a word to follow until the next [year]. This year’s word was PUSH. Push through. Push Past. Push harder. Push weakness into strength.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it gets any more inspirational than that!

As you all know, the last question I always ask is if there is anything else the interviewee would like me to include. Here’s what Sharon said: “I love people. I love making friends and being social. I’m a diplomatic extrovert. I can be friends with pretty much anyone.”

No wonder I was so drawn to her! We had a great time at the conference and I cannot wait until we get to see each other again!

Check out Sharon’s work at SharonDrapeau.com and at SheBreathes.life!

Know someone you'd like featured in the Peer Highlight? Send me a recommendation by clicking here!

This month I want to feature a good new story about a strong, powerful woman from right here in Connecticut (and no, sadly, I do not know her personally). Gabrielle Dunn, 20, earned a gold medal in Traditional Kata by the North American Sport Karate Association at a tournament on October 20th in Austria, in a weekend-long competition. She competed with fellow members of Team USA.

Currently attending Western Connecticut State University (maybe I’ll get the chance to meet her!), Gabrielle is studying for a degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences, pursuing a career as a speech pathologist. She is also a trained vocalist, a kickboxing instructor, and was crowned Miss Teen Connecticut International in 2016.

Read the original story about Gabrielle's win right here. And definitely check out Gabrielle’s American Karate Association profile right here.

Photo for this section courtesy of Brook Lark via Unsplash. (No, this is not a photo of Gabrielle Dunn's fist, though I have no doubt that she is a badass!)

If you have a good news story you’d like me to feature, I’d love to hear about it! Click here to send me a story!