HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

I can’t believe it has been one year since I started Amachi Is Hope!

 

When I decided to start this blog, I rocked back and forth between excitement and fear.  Excited because this was something new but terrified because I might fail. I’m not quite where I thought I would be, but I’m still proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.

Today I’m posting my 56^th blog entry and as of this moment, I’ve had 5,228 page views.  For those who receive thousands of views a day, this is minute.  For me it is a “really big deal”! LOL! It means that over 5,000 people found what I said interesting, or insightful, or funny, or maybe even thought- provoking. Just enough to fill up a small venue for an awesome concert! You guys continue to visit and I greatly appreciate it!

I decided that the best way to celebrate this milestone was to re-read everything I’ve written since I begun.  I am taken a back on how much I’ve grown in just one year. When I read my words, I see confidence, determination and a broadening of knowledge. I’ve learned to push past doubt and believe that the path to my goal (publishing Amachi’s Hope) is closer than ever.

A family trip gave me the inspiration to create a new tale and characters who have demanded a voice. (Check out my short story ‘Orun’).  I’ve pushed forward on my next book where Jamaica awaits and an illustrator has given Amachi something more than a voice. (I hope to share my book cover in the near future!)

Since I begun, I’ve learned and shared much.  I’ve made new friends and re-connected with old ones. I’ve discovered that the fight for diversity in books is a daily battle; that more MCoC are needed (especially in books for children). 

I understand that a Pitchapolozza has nothing to do with sports or lemonade. :)

My journey as a writer has been time-consuming, a bit stressful, and pretty intense. But it has also been life changing, fulfilling and enlightening.  Will I be published? Boy I hope so! Time can be a deterrent, but as I’ve said more than once, Just Keep Pushing Forward.

All and all, I’d say this has been an awesome journey so far.  I may not talk about Amachi in every blog entry but she is foremost on my mind. I know now more than ever, that it is time for her story to be brought into the light!  Thanks again everyone J

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For all of you who have been visiting my blog each week, I greatly appreciate it.  I hope that you’ll continue to do so.  But I would really love to see more of your comments. Whether it is today’s post or entries in the past.  Tell me what you think of the direction I’ve taken so far or any thoughts or suggestions you may have J

 

It has come to my attention that some of my readers have been unable to comment as they do not have google accounts.  If you would like to comment, I welcome you to e-mail me directly at amachi.is.hope@gmail.com.

 

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

 

S-