Only you can make your dreams come true.

Almost eight years ago I started writing. And my best friend at the time started with me. We went to our writers group together, we wrote together, we dreamed of being published authors together.

Once the class was over several months later I began telling people that I wrote books. I would tell people that one day I would be published. And I can't even keep count of how many peoples laughed, how many times I was told it would never happen.

And my friend told no one. In fact, the only time she mentioned her writing, was when she was with me and I would mention it first. I wanted the world to know that us, two 13 year old girls, were one day going to be published authors. The world refused to believe me.

And in fact, the world and I were both correct. Because to this day, only one of us will be published. Not because one of us isn't good enough. Not because we don't deserve it. But because only one of us believed enough to push through the fears and doubts.

She blamed me for ruining her chances at getting published. Not because I didn't believe in her. I did. Her writing is fantastic! She has a gift. But she felt that I ruined her chances at ever getting published because I advertised myself as an author. It didn't matter where I was or who I was talking to, I told everyone I met that I am a writer.

I got my name out there, I promised the world I would be published and now that is coming true. But my dear friend didn't see it that way. She thought it best that we keep it to ourselves, or that she be the one to advertise herself. And there was the biggest issue. We both could have advertised but she didn't see it that way.

And to this day, she blames me for ruining her career as an author. That breaks my heart more than anything. Mostly because it isn't true, more so because all I ever want to do is help authors succeed! But most of all, because she didn't see that I can't make her dreams come true. And I definitely can't stop them.

It was up to her, as it is to everyone to make their dreams come true!

I cannot control your dreams as you cannot control someone else's.

If you truly want to, no one can stop you. If you don't want to, no one can help you. ~ James A. Owen. 

Live your dreams, follow your dreams, and don't ever let anyone else stop you.