My first book, The Diary of Janay Wilkerson The Descendants of the Pharaohs, was published on December 30, 2020. When I initially sat down to create book one of this series, I walked through some of the most challenging days of my life. I knew I wanted to create a fiction novel series, but I had no clue how or where to start—fearing how my story would be received while telling myself that I had to try. What I didn't know is that taking the initiative to move forward with my dream would lead me down the path towards cultivating numerous stories finding that the urge to create publications would become a part of my new journey.
The Diary of Janay Wilkerson helped me to realize how many stories I had in my head that was waiting to be placed on paper. The fear of trying soon morphed into the fear of not trying. I became engulfed with excitement, ready to see what other stories I could cultivate. Shortly after publishing the book, I started dissecting its flaws, instantly visiting areas of my book that needed polishing. I started extracting the project unhealthy, thinking about what I could have done better.
What I later came to understand was I was looking at things wrong regarding my work, the outcome, and the future of my creative process. I had so many harmful components present in my life when I created the story, and I did not own the glory that I could still develop in general. The story was not perfect, nor was it as polished as I would have preferred for it to be, but it was still a great story. What I should have realized was all authors went through what I did after releasing their first project. All creators look at their finished products, asking themselves how can this be better?
I took a long hard look at my book, recognizing right away all the things I could do to enhance it while also remembering all the things I had done correctly. I started reformulating my paradigm regarding my project and reminding myself that I had cultivated a great story despite the flaws during times of chaos. I began to consider what was possible for me if I removed the toxins from my life and started to create a space of peace. Yesterday morning I woke up ready to prepare myself for work when I received an email alert on my phone.
The email informed me that I had been featured in a magazine spread for January based on an old interview I did a year ago regarding my debut publication. I started reading over the article, and instantly I started reflecting on how far I have come. The feeling that came to me when I took a trip down memory lane was the feeling of triumph. So many things clouded my vision, confidence, and abilities over the past few years. It felt good to see how I had not allowed those things to stop me. We often get so caught up in where we are trying to go that we sometimes overlook how far we've already come within our journey.
This book will always hold a significant space in my heart because it serves as a visual reminder of just how resilient I am as a woman, mother, dreamer, and creator. A new version of this book will be available this summer, and although the book will be revamped, the original version will always be my favorite. This book opened a door for me to recognize my gift, learn more regarding my craft, and stand firm in the face of adversity. I am thankful to everyone who has purchased my books, given honest feedback and supported me on this new journey. I am also grateful that God has continuously given me the courage to move towards my endeavors, face the unknown, and believe in my capabilities. No dream or goal is easy to obtain, and it's often daunting when there is no concise form of instructions assessable to you. This book taught me that even some of the hardest things are achievable when you have faith that you can do what you set out to!
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