Humbled Beyond Words & Very Thankful

One of my biggest fears is not being remembered. One of these days I'll leave this earth and on my death bed I'll be wondering what kind of mark I have left behind in this world.

This quote sums it up for me. "I will show you fear in a handful of dust." TS Elliot I don't actually fear death, I'm more afraid of not being remembered, that I'll disappear without a trace. My guess is that all of us feel this way.

Most of us grow up, live our lives, work our jobs, raise our families and try to do the right things as we stress over all of these things and everything in-between. One aspect of the human condition is that we want to be loved and accepted by our families and friends, which is a whole other topic.

There are times we get lost and we start spiraling out of control in depression. All of the little things seem like huge insurmountable roadblocks that seem to stop you at every turn. All of us feel this way at some point in our lives at one time, or another.

Writing is a way for me to feel as if I'm making my mark in this unforgiving world. It's a way for me to leave my legacy for my family and my friends and for anyone who wants to read what I have had to say for generations to come. It brings joy, because I have a lot of stories inside of me and I have experiences that I want to share. Sometimes it takes a great amount of courage to be open about experiences and things that have happened in my life. Writing about them can be scary, but as I draw from my inner strength and put forth the courage I know I have I put it out there for others to read.

In on of my lower moments in life recently I asked for prayers and many people, some I know and others I don't responded with open arms and have prayed for me.

Unexpectedly, there was someone whom I worked with many years ago who contacted me and told me that if I lived closer to them, they'd take me to dinner just to make me feel better.

This person refereed to me as aunty. They have used this endearment a few times in other conversations and I finally asked this person why they called me this. I am good with the endearment, but I was just curious.

This is what they said ...

"Back when you worked with me, you did more than your job. You mentored me inward out. I can't find the right words to say. However when I found you on fb I remembered how you made me feel when I was in the place I was in. I remember the sunniness and brightness that reflected every time you did your job and more. Most of all I remember the lesson I feel I was taught by you to believe in myself. You laughed at a joke, you helped me find humor through all the pain and that's an unforgettable feeling. Now that I'm crying I wanted to label that feeling as family instead of standing maybe as an outsider. Now I will address you appropriately. Its apparent that you don't need a family status from me when we were brought together by your passion to write. And if I never told you this before, thank you Author Tory Lynn. For leaving a impact on my life that's added to my success and growth. Thank You."

I just want to say, that I'm honored to be called, Aunty and I welcome it!

To receive a compliment like this is more than anything I can ask for. This isn't the first time I have had a message from someone I worked with and have been told similar things. Each time it happens though,it takes my breath away and I cry. I can't help, but stop in my tracks and re-evaluate my life, because I am deeply touched and honored to have been able to cross paths with these people. I wouldn't be where I am without them. I'm blessed and am a better person for what they have unknowingly given me. I am humbled, beyond words and feel more than blessed that they took something from me and are better people because of it.

I wanted to share this, because as we live our lives, we touch people everyday with our words, our actions and how we lead our lives. We leave impressions on others whether we want to, or not. How we deal with stress and how we overcome the difficult times tells us what kind of people we are. So be courageous, stand up for what is right, be kind, be loving and pay it forward.

Vickie Treadway, aka Author Tory Lynn

Random Thoughts of a Writer

As a writer ...
What do you have to offer?
Are you an expert in that area?
If not, how do you make yourself credible to your readers?
Who is your target audience?
Do you have a fan base?
Are you published? Self published? Traditionally published?
How do I get people to purchase what I have to offer?
How am I supposed to stand out among all of the other authors out there?

If you are a famous actor, or actress, a politician, or are like those people who make the news mostly by breaking the law, you already have a leg up on the rest of us in becoming a successful author. This is a sad, but a true fact of life.

Most of us don't have that notoriety and we have to swim in shark infested waters of every other writer who wants to get noticed. We have to swim by the ships of large publishing houses who have the corner market on who they are going to publish and give those coveted contracts to with large advances to as they look over the bows of their ships into the ocean to see who stands out to them.

I have to laugh at that image. It kind of makes me want to step out of the water and and watch the fight instead of being part of it. More often then not I feel as if I'm just flailing in the deep water without a life preserver. It is easy to feel as if you are drowning when it comes to thinking about what is next in the publishing world.

Some authors are lucky, they are in the right place at the right time as the spotlight suddenly shines on them for what ever reason it was that got them noticed and they get the deal of a lifetime. Some have put in a lifetime of hard work, and others not so much.

In today's world, there are a lot of authors out there who make it by becoming Indie Authors. They make it by hard work, growing their audience and building their platform as a writer into something that can't be ignored and they didn't have any help, except by the loyal readers and followers they got by being persistent with dogged determination. Some of these authors are then picked up by the larger publishing houses, because they have proven that they can make it.)

It is fascinating to watch the way publishing has changed in the digital world. Anyone can publish their books now. Amazon has made it as easy as a click of a button and this has shifted the way people think about publishing.

Traditional vs Indie is the latest debate in the publishing world. What is better and how it is going to evolve. This is a million dollar question.

In the mean time as I write my heart out, I'll continue to become a better writer. I'll become an expert in what I write as I figure out my strengths so I can share them. I'll continue to expand and improve my platform.

I don't have the magic answer in becoming noticed, but I do know that it won't happen over night for most of us. We have to use our wits, keep up with the ever changing publishing world and try to take advantage of everything that we learn as we try to make our mark on the world.

I know that consistency and hard work will win out in the end. This will keep our loyal fan-base of supporters and readers behind us as we courageously move forward. Remember to keep your head up in this never ending ocean of possibilities.

We are after all writers and writers don't ever give up.