All dreams come true... Part II

When I moved on to high school I met and befriended the daughter of one of the local poets.  The poet took a look at my work but was unable to link me to a publisher.  After corresponding with him for almost 2 years, I retrieved my work from him (with no hard feelings attached) and set out to find another avenue through which I would get my poetry published.

Things only began to fall into place when I was at university. I approached one of my pastors and told him of my long-standing dream.  He linked me to people who he thought could help me get my book published.

Following two years of work – cover designing, proof-reading, type-setting, proof-reading again, origination, and printing – my first volume of poetry, Poems for Life, was published in November 2005 and was launched in January 2006.

Publishing the book is but a small part of the work that needs to be done when you self-publish.

The book sold well when it was launched; however, sales began to slow down after a while. Therefore, I arranged to have a television interview in which I spoke about myself and my book.  The show must have inspired a lot of viewers as the producers of the show told me afterwards that their lines were busy following my appearance on the show.

Following the television interview, I managed to sell a couple more books through two local bookstores that agreed to sell my book as consignments.

This marked the beginning of my three year absence from the public scene. During this time, the only publication I made was a weekly inspirational newsletter that I circulated to subscribers via email. I was – and am still – working on a number of book projects.  

At the beginning of May this year, however, I felt a strong urge to put a book together. The title of the book came to me as clear as day: The Song of My Heart.  

It did not take me long to put together – just four days!

Truly The Song of My Heart was written from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This followed a week of editing, cover designing and everything else.  Within two weeks of initiation, the book was at the printer's desk.

The cover design, type-setting and editing was done for free.  The need to pay started when it came to origination and printing. I managed to raise some of the money (A well-wisher gave me something; I took a loan from a friend and took something from my pockets) and arranged to pay the rest once the book was sold.

In 23 days the book was out!

To repeat myself: Publishing the book is but a small part of the work that needs to be done when you self-publish.

I can attest to this when I look at how much work is involved in promoting my book. This has included a book launch, a radio interview, a television interview, talking at schools and having a book review written on my book. I will also be exhibiting my book at The Catalyst this coming weekend and at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair at the end of this month.  Whilst I cannot predict success at any of these events, I can only choose to believe that 'All dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them.'

Over the past two weeks I have told you about my dream and my journey towards it.  What is your dream?  What will it take for you to realize it?  Are you ready to do whatever it will take for you to realize your dream?  If you are ready, what are you waiting for?

Pursue your dream!

Be Inspired.

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All dreams come true…

All dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them. - Walt Disney

Most dreams are bound to come true when one bravely commits him or herself to the process of bringing the dream to reality.

I launched my second volume of poetry, The Song of My Heart, last month but the road to that has not been always easy.

I began my career as a writer twelve years ago.  It was a 'humble beginning.' I entered my school's inaugural poetry competition and, to my surprise, I received third prize for one of my entries.

The school also ran a story writing competition during that same year.  I received the overall prize for my entry after my teacher had been questioned whether she had not written the short story for me.

The same thing happened for most of my entries to subsequent poetry and story writing competitions.  At the time of leaving the school I was awarded a prize for communications after having being the school newspaper's editor for two consecutive years and won first prizes at all poetry and story writing competitions three years in a row.  

During those years, I also took up creative writing as a hobby.  It was wonderful to see what I could do with words.  I enjoyed it so much that I made a resolve to write a book of poems and short story while I was still at school.  

In pursuit of my dream, I made an enquiry on publishing procedures at one of the local publishing houses – when I was in Form Three.  They told me that they were not interested in poetry. Nevertheless, I continued writing poetry, believing that one day I would get my poetry published.

When the school was compiling its anthology, I was offered to have all my "best" writings published in it. However, I declined the offer because I believed that I was good enough to have my poetry published alone.

My entries for all of the competitions I had entered and won were, however, published in the anthology.  I had the opportunity to attend the launch of the anthology and gave a short speech at the occasion.

When I moved on to high school I met and befriended the daughter of one of the local poets…

<<The second half of this article will be published in next week's issue of Inspiration Online>>

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