How do you know when to keep going?

Updated: Apr 20

I’ll never forget the phone call.

It was July 2022, and I had just handed in what I believed was a complete manuscript for my book. Years of work. I truly thought I was done.

A few days later, my publishing manager and close friend asked me to meet him at a bookstore.

He looked at me and said, “You found your voice as a writer.”

I remember feeling this wave of joy and relief. Like, wait... now?

It had taken years of daily writing, sending chapters, rewriting, and trying to get to the truest version of what I wanted to say.

He said, “This is where you’re going to have your book signing.”

We took a photo together to mark the moment.

I remember standing there, looking at the shelves, trying to imagine it, but also thinking, we’re not there yet.

So I went back to work.

I finished another manuscript, then another, and another.

I sent them to people I trust, the ones I knew would tell me the truth. The response was basically the same. It’s about a seven out of ten.

And I remember thinking, a seven is a C. I’m not putting out a C.

If I was going to do this, it had to be a ten out of ten.

So I kept going.

I worked with a book coach. I worked with editors. I asked for help.

And now here we are, nearly four years later.

Out of all the places, the very first book event is at Diesel Bookstore in Brentwood. The exact place we stood that day.

May 7th.

I’ve thought about that a lot. How easy it would have been to rush it. To settle. To silence the quiet voice that knew it wasn’t ready yet.

But that voice matters.

Not the loud one that compares or panics or wants to keep up.

The quiet one that knows when something is true. The one that asks if you really gave it your best.

Not someone else’s version of best. Your own.

Maybe that is the work. To stay with it long enough not to give up.

And when the moment finally comes, to recognize it.

What is meant for you will not pass you by.

If you’re in Los Angeles, I would love to see you.

You can RSVP for the Diesel event below. It’s free, and it would mean a lot to have you there.

And if you’re not local, the book will be available online everywhere starting May 8th.

I’m so happy you’re here.

Sally

Come join me at Diesel for the book launch May 7th!

“What’s meant for you will never pass you by.”

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