IWSG: July 2

It's IWSG Wednesday again already! Whew, that snuck up on me fast.

... And what insecurity should I write about today? Hmm, I could talk about the fact that I'll never ever be published (again). Or how my friend just sent her novel into a publisher which will most likely make her millions while I am struggling to clack out a few words on my keybaord. How about the fact that I can't get past 3k words on my new WIP? 

But since none of these has left me pathetically sobbing into a tub of Ben and Jerry's lately, I think I'll just give ya'll a bit of encouragement instead. 

For those of you thinking of giving up...

For those of you who need a reminder to do their best, always...

For those of you worried that you'll never be as good as that author...

For those of you who need that extra push...

And for those who need a smile :)

Have a wonderful day, beautiful people!

IWSG: What If I'm Too Young?

It's IWSG Wednesday! This, being my very first IWSG post, is the most unorganized, sprawled out thing I've ever written. Bear with me... here goes nothing!

Yesterday, taking a break from my current WIP, I read a blog post about teen authors. Do you have any idea what the main point was? It was:

Right now, your writing sucks.

And those five blunt words nearly sent me to tears. I was, understandably, like what the heck, dude, way to crush my dreams.

I got thinking... he's probably right!! I look back at my writing even from last year, and it's totally horrid. I could easily look back on 2014's writing next year and say, "What. On. Earth. Was. I. Thinking??" And repeat for the next four years.

I started internally freaking out the tiniest bit, thinking that I'd never become an author before the age of twenty. Published teenage authors are brilliant freaks of nature! It was one of those times where you just start to doubt every ounce of talent you think you might have had.

And then this morning.... I decided I didn't care. That's right. I mean, it would be lovely if I was an amazing, out-of-this-world writer right now, but it would kind of suck to plateau in my freshman year, wouldn't it? There are years to improve: to build skill, experience, and confidence in my voice. It's all part of this writing journey.

Whether I ever become a published author or not, I never want to quit writing. I think for right now, I'll sit back, write without the pressure of publication weighing down on my back, and dream of the day when I can change the blog title from "A Teen With A Dream" to "A Teen Living The Dream."

-jeanamarie xoxo

Introductions, bios, and all that schtuff.

I'm a fourteen year old aspiring author from Minnesnowta. My loves are books, chocolate, lazing around all day long, summer days,  my dog Lilah, and chillin' with my best friends! Like any teenage girl, right??

Anyway, I've been into writing for a few years now, and have been pursuing my dream to become an author for about the same amount of time.

Here's the cover of the first book that I've actually taken seriously.

Purdy, isn't it?! *insert excited face* 

I actually designed this cover all by my lonesome, including the picture, of which I'm pretty proud:)  

Anyway, I started writing this one about 6 months back. I posted it on a site called GirlsLife Inkspiration, and it slowly grew to be the 3rd most popular on the site. That's why the cover has my username on it and not my real name, in case you're wondering... which you probably weren't too worried about it, but whatever.  

The description and book can be found here.

I'm proud of writing my first (almost) full length novel, but don't judge the writing based off the first few chapters. I've learned a TON along the way, and there are still many things I have to change! :) 

I'm also working on another story called Challenge Accepted, about a brave girl whose daring tendencies may get her in trouble with both her best friend and the handsome boy next door. 

Well, that about sums up my writing life right now! This is my first-ever blog post... did I do alright? :)