Hannah Holt is one of our 12 x 12 charter members. She’s been around since our auspicious start in 2012 and this month, her debut picture book, THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY, arrives. Hannah is proof that hard work and perseverance pay off. We could not be more thrilled for Hannah and we look forward to many more books! Congratulations, Hannah!
Write It Anyway!
Publishing books for children is a lot like running a distance race. I used to run competitively. That was before parenthood made my nights hard and my muscles soft.
However, last Saturday, I laced up my shoes for my first 5k in years. As I slid into my dinged minivan—complete with car seats and graham cracker crumbs—I glanced at the dashboard. Oh, no! My kitchen clock must have stopped. I was running late.
I sped to the event, but all the runners were gone. I had completely missed the start.
What could I do?
As a writer, I often feel like a late beginner. Ten years ago, I knew nothing about publishing. I had no writing contacts, no related degrees, and only one completed manuscript.
On a bleak night during those early years, I wrote in my journal, “I have this nagging fear that I’ll never be good enough.”
However, my desire to write was stronger than my doubts. Desire pushed me to the library where I checked out every book on children’s publishing I could find. It made me bold enough to attend a conference where I met Julie Hedlund and eventually joined her 12 x 12 challenge.
My odds of being published still weren’t good, but I took a lot of chances. Some of them paid off. I sold my first magazine article. Fellow writers became friends. I joined critique groups and received honorable mention in a picture book writing contest.
Then wonder of wonders, I signed with an agent: Danielle Smith! I felt sure a sweet publishing deal would be just around the corner! After all, she was making deals left and right for other clients. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me. After a year on submission together, I didn’t received so much as a rejection letter.
When we parted ways, I felt like I had missed the start of a race. Good friends were already crossing the finish line with book deals, while I remained stuck at the beginning. I faced a choice: I could quit or I could run my own race.
I decided to keeping going. I sent a handful of new queries. They were all rejected. I sent out another—two requests for more work. I sent out another and another round. After a year of querying I signed with a new agent—Laura Biagi. She sold my first book, The Diamond & the Boy. It’s out now!
For reference, here’s the Twitter pitch about the same book that my first agent, Danielle Smith, requested.
Note the date: July 2013. Five years later, this book is finally out in the world!
I still have nagging fears and moments of doubt, but I quiet those insecurities by going to work. The real work of being a writer, like the real work of running, doesn’t happen in the public eye. It happens early in the morning in sweatpants and a T-shirt. It isn’t glamorous, but regular writing practice gives me the courage to try impossible things. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter when I fail. Failure is only final if it stops me.
On the morning of my bungled 5k race, disappointment froze time for a moment. Then I stepped forward, signed myself in, and headed down the empty street. In the distance, I saw runners rounding a corner. I chased after them.
I found my groove and picked up speed. I passed a few people. Then more and more, but I wasn’t running against them. I was running for me. My lungs burned and my legs complained, but I pushed harder.
As I crossed the finish line, I gasped for breath. It was a few minutes before I could stand upright again.
When I looked at the results sheet, I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t win, but I did place—second. I’ve never been more proud of taking second.
No one wins every race, but you never know what might happen until you try. You never know if a scene will work until you write it. You never know if a revision will take until you revise it. You never know if a manuscript will sell until you submit it.
Go for it. Write it anyway!
Hannah Holt is a children’s author with an engineering degree. Her books, THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY (2018, Balzer+Bray) and A FATHER’S LOVE (2019, Philomel) weave together her love of language and science. She lives in Oregon with her husband, four children, and a very patient cat named Zephyr. She enjoys reading, writing, running, and eating chocolate chip cookies.
This month’s check-in winner will receive a signed copy of THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY! Go forth and write!
174 Responses
Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Hannah, your analogy was perfect and congratulations on taking second in a 5K! Not an easy feat by any measure, and an accomplishment to be uber proud of. And…congratulations on your first book finally finding a home!!! Excited to read it and I am positive kids everywhere will enjoy it. 🙂
Thank you for the pep talk too, because we all need a boost at some point and yours comes at the perfect time for me.
Hannah, Congrats on your upcoming titles!!
Your fierce determination is an inspiration.
Love your last paragraph, ie, “You never know if……until……”
This is so true. I plan to type that out and keep it where I can reread it on those (many!) days when my determination falters.
Thanks for the uplifting message.
All the best!
Hannah, thanks for showing us what determination looks like.
Such an inspiring post, Hannah! I need to read this every day!
Big congratulations on your publishing success! Can’t wait to read The Diamond and the Boy. 🙂
Great running story, Hannah. Perfect analogy about perseverance, dedication, and sheer determination. You know I love your debut and I can’t wait to read A Father’s Love.
Wonderful analogy, Hannah! Love this: “No one wins every race, but you never know what might happen until you try.” I’m so glad you didn’t let the experience with our first agent bog you down. Huge congrats, and best wishes always!!
Thrilled for your success in both races. Hope my sustained hobble to be the turtle. Thanks for encouraging all of us so often, not only in this page.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Hannah! I love your running story and I love the line, “Failure is only final if it stops me.” So true!
I love when you said, You never know if a manuscript will sell until you submit it. Thanks for your blog and congrats on your 2nd place finish. That’s impressive.
Thank you for your honest, encouraging post, Hannah. I started writing later in life too and sometimes feel like I won’t ever be “good enough.” But I really do feel like I found my “tribe” in my journey and really do love what I’m doing, so I will keep writing!
Congratulations, Hannah, on your wonderful debut. And your encouraging words have come at just the right time. Thank you so much!
Inspiring post, Hannah! Thank you for sharing your journey. Never give up-words to keep close. Congratulations!
I am looking forward to reading this book and looking carefully at the structure. I’m intrigued.
Congratulations on the book birthday and on the patience to wait it out.
Congratulations, Hannah, on your debut picture book and the one coming out next year! Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiring us to continue–writing, running, and doing what needs to be done!
Very inspiring words!
Thanks for the inspiring post Hannah!
And congratulations. Your book sounds likes a gem😀
I love your analogy, Hannah. Congratulations on your first book. May it be the first of many!
Hannah,
This was so inspiring to read! I have had so many o the same doubts, fears, and second thoughts. You are proof that perseverence and determination win in the end!
Hannah, thanks for sharing your journey. You are so right that nothing can happen if you don’t take a chance. You have shown us that believing in yourself, amidst doubt, is an important ingredient for a writing. Great post. Best of luck with your new book!
This was great. Congratulations on your new book Hannah ! Thanks for such an inspiring post.
Picture books are a labor of love – thank you for the reminder and the inspiration. Congrats on your book release!
Congratulations Hannah! This is such fantastic news. Your story and your determination are inspiring!
The running analogy is perfect and I can’t wait to read your book!
Yes…all of this…yes!!! Congrats on running the race your way and never giving up.
Hannah, I love the marathon analogy and the sentiment that you’ll never know – unless you try. I think you’ve encapuslated the emotional journey and doubt that many (if not all) writers/illustrators experience at lest once in their careers. Thank you a powerful post and guiding light to follow.
Excellent analogy about writing, publishing and distance running — and the best point was that we’re “writing” (running) for ourselves. Thanks, Hannah, for the inspiration!
Thank you for sharing your journey. It was an encouragement. Congrats on plugging away until you succeeded! I’m happy for you.
Wow! Great story, Hannah! And such a fabulous metaphor! Congrats on your success, and cheers to many more!!
Hannah, thank you for sharing your writing (and running) with us. You inspire me!
Hannah, thank you for sharing your admirable running and writing stories. Your post is so honest, helpful, and uplifting, I just read it again. Congratulations on your debut picture book!
I love your story… I’ve only just started my journey— I’ve been PB writing in earnest for just over 2 years. At times, it definitely feels like the mountain is just too steep. But I love the scenery so I keep going, one step at a time. One day, maybe I’ll get to the top, but In the meantime, as long as I’m moving upward every day, I know I’m headed in the right direction. Thank you for your encouragement and support!!
It’s like Dory said: “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!” I’m sorry you had to deal with Danielle Smith, but so glad you found a new agent. Nice work!
Thank you for sharing your journey, Hannah. And, congratulations on your debut and your second picture book. Persistence and challenging yourself are definite messages in finding success in any field. Can’t wait to read The Diamond and The Boy!
Thanks so much, Hannah, for a reminder to persevere!
So well said, Hannah! Thanks for this uplifting post.
Hannah, your encouragements is contagious and inspiring. I need to read this often and get the desire to get up and try again. Thank you so much.
Hannah,
Excellent advice. I have always said the journey is worth all the ups and downs of any pursuit. Best of luck with your future ventures but also with THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY.
Congratulations on your truly deserved success. You inspire us.
What an inspiring story, Hannah, and congratulations on publishing your book. Your incredible journey succeeded because of your patience and persistence. I can’t wait to read to read this.
Thanks for sharing your story!
Brilliant post! I have the same line in my journal. Congrats for The Diamond and the Boy.
Hannah, this so inspires me. “Run your own race” has become my mantra in this writing journey. I enjoy hearing the success stories of fellow writers but sometime in all that noise of their success I get discouraged. That’s when I repeat that mantra to myself. This is a wonderful post. I’m saving this to refer to in those bleak moments. Your perseverance is an inspiration to me. Whew!….it sure could have been discouraging or stopped you in your tracks with the “failed” attempts but good for you for forging ahead, both in your writing and your literal race!! Your hard work and patience paid off. Thank you for your encouraging words. I can’t wait to read Diamond Boy! Best wishes to you!
Congratulations, Hannah! The Diamond and the Boy is on my reading list. I’ve been at it for 30 years. I’m good enough. Just no ring yet.
Yay! Thank you! As long as we never give up, that’s the thing to remember. I am very very slow at this, so I just need to keep truckin
Love this post Hannah! Great encouragement for all of us who are still running … Especially like “Failure is only final if it stops me.” – after one particularly swift rejection (less than 24 hours after submission) I almost stopped writing, but for some reason, I feel I’ve got stories to tell – and they want to be told! So I am definitely in the “Go for it. Write it anyway!” camp. Hope your book goes down an absolute storm!
Thank you so much for sharing your fears, perseverance, and thought process! It helps this scary process feel…normal. 😉
Wow, Hannah, so inspirational! I appreciate your candidness and congratulate you on hanging in there.
Love this post–essentially an essay on the writing life. Huge congratulations on your success(es).
Hannah, I’m thrilled for you! And I ADORE your debut!
Hannah!! I am so proud of you. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. I needed it today. I feel so behind the pack – and it’s been that way for years. But I will write today in honor of you and your success. Congratulations!!!
Thanks, Hannah. Just the encouragement I’m in need of right now. Congratulations on your debut. Can’t wait to read it.
Congratulations Hannah! I couldn’t be happier for you. Thank you for this encouraging post. I feel like I am a little late to the race too but your words are a reminder to keep at it. And thank you for your ongoing transparency of your experience. This helps the rest of us more than you may know.
Yes! I love your story of perseverance and growth. Everyone’s journey to publication is different but for many it takes years of writing, submitting and repeating this process. Congratulations on your book!
Congratulations on your debut picture book Hannah! Keep going. Keep running.
You started the race late and came in second?! That’s amazing! Congrats on your book, can’t wait to read it.
You started the race late and came in second?! Wow! Congrats on your book, can’t wait to read it!
This was just what I needed to read in this very moment! Thank you for the eloquent inspiration!
What an inspiring narrative. You deserve every success in publishing and racing!!
Thank you for your inspiring post, Hannah! This was just what I needed to read today. And congratulations on your debut! I’m excited to read it.
This post is inspiring for me on two levels — first, because I’m running a race in just over a week, so the analogy fits in my brain right now to a T! Second, because I often feel like I’m not trying hard enough. I’m not reading enough about the industry, not reading enough published children’s books, not learning enough, not writing enough, not drawing enough, not posting enough… so is it finally time that *my* enough … IS enough? When I stop comparing my efforts to every resource that’s available (there are SO MANY)? When I appreciate other’s art, whether sweet or edgy, but take comfort in the way God enable ME to draw? I have some more thinking to do on this. Congrats on your publication!
Wow!! Yes!! That was very inspirational and very real😃
Congratulations! And thank you for this post – it truly is insipiring.
I’m lacing up my sneakers right now! Well done Hannah!
Wow, great analogy! You gave me some extra motivation today, thanks. Congratulations on you debut book!
Thank you, Hannah, for your stories, both written and lived! Thanks also for reminding us that as long as we don’t give up, we haven’t truly failed. The obstacles along the way are just bumps in the road to success.
This post includes so many of my favorite things: running, PB writing and positivity! Thank you for sharing, Hannah, and congratulations on your efforts paying off!
I enjoyed reading about your writing journey. Thanks so much for sharing! Congratulations on holding your PB baby!
Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey and congratulations on your success!
Oh my, Hannah, this was so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your hard-won wisdom. And CONGRATULATIONS! May diamonds shine around you for as long as diamonds last.
What a neat and “inspired” story. How lovely of you to memorialize your grandfather. And then just today at the PB Summit, we got to see the query letter you wrote that snagged you an agent, which was also inspiring and cleverly written. I loved all of your geologically-referenced words. Congratulations on your beautiful new book.
Hannah – I loved your race metaphor! Thank you for this wonderfully written, highly relatable journey of your shared fears, hopes and dreams! Your perseverance is inspiring – congratulations on your new book!
Congratulations! And thank you for your post. I enjoyed the whole thing, but the line, “Failure is only final if it stops me,” was particularly wonderful.
A beautiful, inspirational read — thank you, Hannah! 🙂
Congratulations on this book about diamonds and your grandfather. What an awesome accomplishment. I can’t wait to read it. And thanks for your inspirational post. We all need a lift from time to time.
Your posts are so inspiring Hannah! And I love the running analogy. It *almost* makes me want to go for a jog, and I plan to keep writing and pushing myself despite all those writerly feelings edging their way in.
Hannah,
I’m so thrilled for you. We’ve been on this writing journey together…same groups, same challenges, commenting on same blog posts. So to see your success is extra meaningful! Congrats!
You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey. Congratulations and best of luck with your book.
Fantastic post, Hannah! These feelings are universal- doubt, pressure, desire to succeed. I compare my writing journey very often to marathon running. It’s so encouraging to see you sharing these thoughts with us here!
Wow! Thank you for sharing your publication story. It’s a good reminder of the need for perseverance. And congratulations on your book coming out!
Beautiful inspiring post. I loved the marathon analogy. I have often felt I have missed the start line and wonder if I will ever catch up. But it is a journey that I am so thrilled to be on with you Hannah. Seeing your lovely book arrive in my home proved it is possible. Thank you for being such a dear friend and critique buddy.
I can hardly not think of this writing journey when I see a running race. Running is big time in our family and the metaphor is so powerful when wanting to finish well, give it all we got, and not give up. Thanks for being another voice of reason and encouragement for me. Congrats on the book…I’ll be looking for it!
Love this inspiring post, Hannah! Thank you and congrats on your hard-earned success!
Your book sounds so interesting and I”ve heard it mentioned several times already. Way to go! Thanks for the inspiring post.
Great post, Hannah! Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us. I especially loved when you said, “No one wins every race, but you never know what might happen until you try.” And your, “Failure is only final if it stops me,” reminds me of my writing motto, which comes from Norman Vaughan, the chief dog handler on the Admiral Byrd Expedition to Antarctica in 1928-1930. Vaughn’s motto in life was, “Dream Big and Dare to Fail”
Thanks for your helpful advice. I like, write it anyway.
Wow, 2nd place!! That’s amazing. So glad you persisted with the race and the book.
Hannah, thank you for your willingness to share your personal journey as a writer. Thank you too for not giving up. Like many others have shared, your post was very inspirational.
What an inspiring journey! Thank you for sharing it with us, Hannah. Congratulations on your new book! I can’t wait to read it.
I can’t believe I am just getting to this, a day after I read and commented or reviewed The Diamond and the Boy. The book was very informative and interesting and I didn’t know this man lived in my state and worked on this invention. Unfortunately, he didn’t find diamonds in this area but he did invent a useful drilling bit that is used all over the world. Thank you for sharing this story.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Clearly we need to just keep trying!!! Even when it feels somewhat hopeless! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story!!
Thanks for sharing your story! Congratulations on your success!
Hannah – It is such a comfort to know you also were getting lots of rejections…this will inspire me to keep trying. Thank you!
What great motivation! Good for you!
Very inspirational. We have to keep going!
It means never give up!
Hannah, Congratulations on your book! It is so exciting and I appreciate and admire you for sharing all the struggles as well as the successes of the kidlit path. You are an inspiration to keep going and let our passion for writing guide us through difficult times. Thank you!
Love your can-do spirit, Hannah! It’s very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your journey with all the ups and downs. Congrats on your first book!
Hannah, thanks for the encouragement.
So excited I was able to finally read this book. I like how the pictures work together with the text. Congratulations on your debut book Hanna!
Your post will motivate me to keep entering those Twitter pitch contests, although nothing has materialized from them so far 🙂
Oh gosh I loved this. Thank you for sharing your journey and I loved the running analogy. So perfect.
What a great post. We’ve learned from you how to persevere. So happy for your book birth!
Your story of determination and perseverance in publishing is inspiring. Congrats on your debut PB!
Hannah…I am always impressed with your dedication and willingess to revise/change/polish your manuscripts. And this book is the embodiment of that work ethic…plus your amazing writing gift! Thank you for sharing your process and your mind set of perseverance.
Loved both stories –of the race, and of the journey to being published!
More inspiring than I thought it would be when I started reading it… 🙂
Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to read your book.
Thanks for the inspiration and super advice!
It’s encouraging to hear that the path to publication isn’t straightforward or fast.
Hannah, thank you for your reminder to stay in the race. Sometimes it’s hard to believe in myself, but I figure if I keep on runnin’, one day I’ll win that race. Thanks for sharing your journey. You’ve inspired me.
Hannah, you are the little ant who moved the rubber tree plant!! Perseverance! Way to go! Can’t wait to read your debut!
Keep spreading your magic,
Lucy
Congratulations on your book! Sorry to hear about the problems with your first agent. It’s good to hear your about your success after all of that, and it comes from your perseverance. Thank you for showing us what it takes!
Thank you for this GREAT post! Truly inspiring and for me confirmation that I must keep going!!!
Thank you for an encouraging post! This is my favorite part: “No one wins every race, but you never know what might happen until you try. You never know if a scene will work until you write it. You never know if a revision will take until you revise it. You never know if a manuscript will sell until you submit it.”
Thank you for cheering us all on, and we’ll be cheering you on as well while we all stick to it!
Hannah, thank you for sharing your journey to getting published with us. Your story was quite inspiring.
This is so encouraging. I needed to read this today. Thank you, Hannah, for being such an inspiration.
Hi Hannah, thanks for sharing your journey. I loved your analogy to a marathon. I can relate. I sometimes feel tired on this journey to publication. I’m so glad your book has come into the world. I hope to read it one day. I’m sure it’s truly amazing.
Danielle
What an experience you’ve had! Your attitude through it all is very inspiring.
Thank you, Hannah, for sharing your inspiring story. Congratulations on The Diamond and the Boy.
Congratulations! Your perseverance is inspiring! Looking forward to reading your book.
Congratulations! Your perseverance is inspiring!
Great encouragement! Thanks!
Hannah – I’m nearing the end of my third year participating in 12×12. I don’t know you, but I feel like I do. Thank you for being a more-active-than-usual member. You’re one of a handful of 12x12ers who I feel like are just built into what this group is, and why I’ll continue to be part of it for as long as I can. I know for a fact that I’m not the only one who feels this way, and I’m psyched for you that you have one book out (that I just ordered) and another on the way.
And finishing second when you started your 5K late? Remind me to never race you.
The fear of failure has been nipping at my heels this week. Thanks for sharing your story. It helped! Here’s to failing, and try, try, trying again.
I ran one marathon and came in next to last, but I finished. The comparison of writing and publishing is a great one. I’ll remember it when I start getting discouraged. Congratulations on both the second place which was great considering you started late. Congratulations on your book too.
Hannah, what a great story of perseverance and resilience. You deserve this success and I look forward to reading “Diamond Boy.”
Thank you for sharing your story. Yoyr story inspires to keep going forward. 😊Pauline
Hannah, what a great story of perseverance and resilience. You deserve this success and I look forward to reading “Diamond Boy.”
Thank you for sharing your story. Yoyr story inspires to keep going forward. 😊Pauline
This post made me cry. Thanks so much for sharing your victories and setbacks with us!
I love it, and I especially love seeing the original pitch! So awesome that a twitter contest worked for you. Thanks for sharing!
I love it, and I especially love seeing the original pitch! So awesome that a twitter contest worked for you. I am inspired. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the inspiration.
Thank you for the inspiration. I found it very helpful
Yes! Thank you for this! Keep going. I needed this today. Congratulations on your book!
Hannah, congratulations on achieving the finish line / starting line for Diamond, and the perseverance and patience that brought you there. Thanks for the reminder that publishing realities may be beyond our control, but how we respond to them is not!
Congratulations on your success Hannah! Thank you for sharing your writing and running journey. Inspiring. And “Failure is only final if it stops me” is now my new mantra.
Congratulations on your book- it looks awesome. Your post is inspirational. It is exactly what I need. The words in your journal run through my mind all the time.
Hannah, THANK YOU!!! Needed to read your post today.
Hannah, thank you for your insight and openness! I think the race metaphor is perfect, especially because endurance seems like it is a key factor to striving for success in this experience. I can’t wait to read your book and am really touched by your choice to write about your grandfather. Wishing you and all 12×12’ers continued success!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us, Hannah! I can totally relate to not feeling good enough. I’m so glad that you were able to overcome your fear! I can’t wait to read your new book.
So inspiring. Way to hang in there! Does anyone ever have it really easy right out of the gate? I doubt it. The struggle is what makes the (eventual) victory that much sweeter. It’s just a question of who will win: you or rejection.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey Hannah! 🙂
I’m a runner too. I so appreciate your encouragement. This is a tough business and you need the persevering mindset of a runner. Running also helps balance the long hours in the chair. Best of luck with your book!
I love your inspiring story and send congratulations your way! I like your statement here: “The real work of running, doesn’t happen in the public eye. It happens early in the morning in sweatpants and a T-shirt. It isn’t glamorous, but regular writing practice gives me the courage to try impossible things. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter when I fail.” I think that is what I like about writing. It IS up to me. It does happen in my imagination and only when I sit and make it happen. Thank you.
I find satisfaction in the writing journey. I learned a lot when I worked with an editor one-on-one. But to win it you have to stay in it!
Hannah, I used to be a runner, and it seemed like there was at least one hurdle, with each event. I once ran a half-marathon, and tied for last place. It was still success, and invigorating.
Great analogy to writing.
I am now a walker, and even so, the hurdles of procrastination, motivation, and bad weather, make it difficult.
I am an old newbie at writing.
Doubt is my greatest hurdle to getting ‘er done in the writing world.
Thank you for the positive vibes.
One step at a time.
Thanks for sharing your story, Hannah. We all have to start somewhere, and we all feel behind sometimes, but as you said, you can’t be successful if you never start. And your book looks wonderful — congrats!
Good Job. Great information.
Such an inspiring post! Thank you!
Congratulations! 🎊
I too always feel like I’m running behind. Thanks for sharing your story.
Congratulations on your book!! I’ve been writing forever, but I feel like 2018 has been my true professional start. I’ve been hovering behind the starting line, scaring myself off with comparisons to others or just letting other things in life take my time. I’m so thrilled that I finally started the race this year with 12 x 12, and I appreciate hearing your story about how it can be a sprint or a long slow distance, and you just have to stick with it.
Great post, and Congrats, Hannah! Looking forward to seeing your first book out!
Congratulations on your book! Thanks for sharing your story of determination and never giving up.
I love this post so much. So happy I read it again. thank you!
Thanks for this, Hannah. I love the writing but part of me despairs of ever getting an agent. This post is for that part.
Thank you Hannah! Sorry to hear about your agent experience but so happy you have found someone else. I can’t wait to read your upcoming books!! Thank you for painting a realistic picture of the writing process – your journey is inspiring! Congratulations on the books and the race! 🙂
great point! it’s so hard to keep doing all these submissions and rejections alone. but if you know you are putting the work in and doing the things to improve you have to keep going!!!!
Super inspiring Hannah! Cheers to your perseverance and success!!
Ok. I’ve been hemming and hawing about going for my swim. I am going. Thank you for the push to keep going in my writing, art, and exercise.
Writing is real work with a wonderful goal of sharing it with others. Having a community to walk the path is priceless. Thank you.
Thanks for that inspiring post! So great to learn about your journey.
Awesome post! Thank you for sharing your story (both the writing journey and the 5k…holy smokes!). Congratulations on your debut!!
Thank you for sharing! Congratulations on your book. It is beautifully written and illustrated. I turned all the copies face out at my B&N, Shhh!
Hi Hannah! Congratulations, and many thanks for your transparent description of writing. It takes grit and perseverance and tenacity, and you captured that so well. What an encouraging and enjoyable read!
Congrats on your debut!
Wonderful inspiration! Thank you.
Hannah, I am so, so excited about your new books. Truly cannot wait to get them! Keep up the amazing work!
I so often feel like a late beginner and that there are so many hurdles. Thank you for the inspiration!!
I received a critique from Hannah last year in the full manuscript. It was well thought out and has helped me revise that manuscript-I’m still working on it but I was glad she brought up some obvious points-and gaps- in my story. Can’t wait to see your book!
Can’t wait to see your book Hannah. Glad to see the seed you planted 5 years ago has made its way to the bookshelves!
Loved reading this, Hannah!! Can’t wait to read your book!
Hannah, you were speaking to my soul! Ca’t wait to read The Diamond and the Boy!
Loved the racing analogy, Hannah. A good reminder that to be happy, we should always be running the “race” for ourselves, and not measuring ourselves against anyone else’s successes or timelines. We’ll all get to the finish line eventually! Congrats.
I thought I read this post, but in culling through my ever-expanding inbox, I realized I hadn’t. What an inspiring post! Your 5K story will stay in my mind and in my heart for a long time, I’m sure. I can’t wait to read your debut! Yes! “Go for it! Write it anyway.”