For the last #FightFriday of 2017, I’m going back to the beginning.
As I was cleaning out the closet in my office today, I ran across the very first, VERY rough draft of #Rebirth.
The first printing of the first book I ever wrote.
The one that began a completely different way than how it starts now.
A stack of papers containing scary things that make me cringe.
The start of my publishing journey.
The awakening of my true passion.
The fruition of childhood dreams.
All marked with red.
Complete with a smear of my blood.
Talk about #GutsOnThePage.
That marked up, cringe-worthy, bloody manuscript is now a real, double award-winning novel. And there are 3 other books in the series. So far.
It wasn’t easy getting to this point. I fought, I bled, I clawed, I cried, I yelled, I nearly wore holes in the heavy bag. But now, I’m living my dream. I may not be an NYT best seller yet, but I might just get there. Someday. If I don’t, that’s ok too.
Because I will spread my guts on the page until I have nothing left to give. Whether anyone reads it or not, I’m doing what I love. I’m giving all of myself in what I write. And in doing that, I’ve discovered the true me. I am who I am, past and warts and craziness and all, and I fought to be here. I fought to be her.
And you know what? I won.
I rose above my past, used it to make me better, and used it in a story that so many now love. I couldn’t be happier about that.
But I hope aside from just seeing it as an engaging tale, they see the truth behind it. The truth that sometimes, it takes a long hard struggle to get where you want to be. To become who you were meant to be.
The strongest blades are, after all, forged in the hottest fires.
So the challenge I leave you with going into the new year:
Fight on.
Fight for what you love and fight for yourself. Even when no one else will.
You have the power within you to rise above anything or anyone that comes against you.
Don’t let anything stop you, and don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
Because you’re worth it.
Because in the bloody, horrific throes of battle, you will find your true self, your true strength.
And that’s the greatest victory of all.
Love & hugs,
Amy
#NeverStopFighting
Amy Brock McNew ~Author~ 
One reply on “Never Stop Fighting”
I’m looking forward to 2018! This past year was a year of “Be brave. Be bold.” and I sincerely see how it has been. Though it definitely had it’s trails, I’m thankful that God was with us and that I’m learning to have my “guts on the page” so to speak. I’m nervously excited for what the new year will bring. 🙂