Yesterday, I received the very first check from selling my books. It's truly such a surreal feeling to hold money I was told I'd never make from a passion that I was told to give up so many times. I never gave up on what I loved, because I believed I could grow. I believed I could get better from where I started, and I have in so many ways.
Wattpad was where I started, and truthfully, I always feared my work would never make it off this little app. I am so beyond grateful that I've received so much support, on and off this app, and that I've been able to share my work elsewhere. Instagram, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Threads, so many other platforms.
I recently stumbled across the first author bio I made for the first publication I had. I was seventeen, I didn't have any published work or pieces, all I had was my Wattpad account. To see how far even my author biography has come, from only having Wattpad to showcase my work to now having my own published books and community I've built. It's truly full circle for me.
Here's a reminder to never give up on what you love. Never.