Last year I started working on yet another dream, which was to get my fiction writing published. After promising feedback from agents, I still didn't sell anything. With the Kindle revolution well on it's way, I decided to publish my books myself under a pen name. Although I haven't reached Amanda Hocking status, I'm pleased with the results so far. I even decided to enter my first book into Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Contest.

The first round judged pitches, and I felt mine was pretty good although I had no idea what I was up against. In February, I received word that my book made it to the next round and in March, judging on 5000 words excerpts, the reviewers once again picked my book to be one of the 100 to go to the next round. Picked from 10,000 to 100! I felt proud of that accomplishment, but even more so, I felt validated. However, the next round cuts the pool from 100 down to 5, and I'm not sure I'll make the cut.

I was sharing my recent victory with my son and confessed that I wasn't sure I'd go any further in the contest. He said, "Mom, you have to believe you can do it." He went on to tell me about a speaker he heard at his recent Key Club convention that talked about pursuing your dreams and believing in yourself. I was tickled that the speech made an impression on my son because I want him to dream and achieve big. He ended his little speech with, "So in April when the five names are announced, who's name will be on it?" The only answer I could give was, "Mine."

And he's right. Why shouldn't my name be on it? I've made it this far. I don't have any idea what I'm up against, but who's to say my book isn't worthy? So much of judging fiction is subjective and maybe I'll get reviewers who really enjoy my story and style.

This led me to think about Valerie Harper and her recent announcement about her illness. She's been hitting the air waves with a message that we need to live until we die. That a terminal illness isn't the cue to lay down and give up. In many ways, people, moms in particular, let their dreams die. Basically they give up on themselves before there is proof that they've failed. When I think of all that I've done to create a fantastic life, I cringe at the thought of what my life would have been like if I'd given in to fear or a lack of confidence.

So I've decided to believe I'm making it to the next round, until and if Amazon tells me differently.