Looking Forward
I look forward to each New Year the same way I held expectations about the first day of school. I always felt as if I was getting a fresh new start with a clean slate. I swore I would study hard and do my homework every day—my resolutions for a new school year. Excitement rumbled through my being as I wondered who I would see again and if someone new might chance along. Maybe this would be the year that I became popular and that my classmates would finally recognize my innate talents.
There was always a fervent prayer that my teachers would adore me and pronounce me as the next Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking. Teachers would send home notes going on about my rare talents and academia.
Midway into the year, I would start doing my homework on the school bus on the way to school. It’s not that I no longer cared to make good grades; it was more that I had some daydreaming to do and my telephone chats with friends often lasted longer than the fifteen minutes my parents allowed. Once again, my greatness went unrecognized. The popular kids were still in a class way above me just like celebrities or royalty and the secret code to self-confidence continued to elude me. Even though I had a few classes in which I excelled like English and violin, I was definitely not Val Victorian material.
Still, there was always the renewing hope and thrill that this would be the year it all changed.
I come to each New Year the same way: filled with bright hopes, resolutions and determination to make this the year that it all gets better. It doesn’t really matter how it all turns out, it’s that I continue to view it with a renewed spirit of optimism that counts. I don’t ever want to lose that positive part of me that still believes it’s all going to turn out for the best.
One thing I am very excited about is the new, revised publication of The Violin by Publishing by Rebecca Vickery. This is a story so close to my heart. It’s based on the life of a real person—one I never met but heard about all my life.
By Sarah McNeal
Blurb:
2011 Revised Edition - Genevieve dreams of him almost every night and has for most of her lonely life. Inexplicably compelled, she buys his violin and finds the remnants of his life and the mystery of his death in 1927 revealed within its case.
Intrigued, she makes a decision, one that will change her life forever.
Is there a way to change the past and save this man who haunts her heart?
BUY Links: (available in e-book and print)
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/111092
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/The-Violin-ebook/dp/B006JE2RLG/
Create Space: https://www.createspace.com/3740163
16 comments:
Sarah, I just love this new cover! Thanks for unveiling it here at Past The Print!
Hey, Sarah J! Wonderful post! The smell and feel of new notebook paper, composition books and pencils still gives me a thrill ; )
Don't ever stop dreaming, imagining, and supposing--that's the stuff that dreams and writing are made of! Best wishes for much happiness and continued success!
As always, Renee, thank you for allowing me to blog here each month. It's a priviledge to do so.
Virginia, I always love it when you comment on anything of mine. I love reading your posts and copying your wonderful recipes. Some day I may even cook something. LOL
Thank you so much for your kind comments.
Hi Sarah,
Just popping by to tell you I love this story and can see why it is so close to your heart. I always enjoy your Provocative Ponderings.
Becca
Thank you for taking the time to come by and comment, Rebecca. I always appreciate your presence. Also thank you for that kind comment about The Violin.
What a way to start a new year! And wow, how cool is that cover? :) I'm so glad this book has new life, and I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012!
I love this cover, too, Jacquie. Thank you so much for coming by and leaving such a sweet comment.
Sarah, the cover is gorgeous. Ah yes,I used to get excited about the New Year. Now, I just think, I hope it's better than the last. But as young girls we did have our dreams.
It's funny now, looking back, most of our dreams were the same, and yet back then we didn't see others as lacking anything, just ourselves.
I thank God I now realize that everyone I want to really impress is gone, that the only person I have to impress is myself. Still the drive to do better, live better, see better is there. It never quite goes away. I always thought when I quit learning, I'll die. But I hope to live to be 100 and everyone ask, "What did she do that I didn't?" LOL
Love ya Sarah.
Blessings
Rita Hestand
Rita girl, so good to see you. where have you been? Have you been working on a new novel?
I don't know if I want to live to be a hundred. Depends. If I stay in good health, then maybe. I don't want to be the last one standing. It might get lonesome.
It's always so good to hear from you, Rita. We share more than age in common.
Great post, Sarah.
Love the cover!
Neecy
Neecy, thank you so much for dropping by and reading my post. I appreciate your lovely comment.
Great post,Sarah. The book looks really interesting. Hope this New Year is the best ever
Hey Jenny. Thank you so much for leaving your kind comment. I appreciate it.
Sarah, a day late and a dollar short, as always! LOL One of these days, I'll be your first commenter. I remember those days when everything seemed so important--I always wanted my parents to be proud of me, but it seemed that no matter what I did there was always something I could have done better. I finally became the rebel of the family because I realized I had to do what was in my heart. My mom wanted me to be a secretary--you know back in the day there were three things a woman could do--be a nurse, be a teacher and be a secretary. I was TERRIBLE in math after about 6th grade, so being a nurse was out. LOL I was a secretary for many years. Of course, that was not what I wanted to do forever, and I always wrote my story ideas down at work, then worked on my writing when I got home in the evenings, if I had a spare minute. Now, I don't give a hoot WHO I impress or if I do. LOL (Maybe that's just because I'm getting older.) I love that cover on The Violin! I hope 2012 is a wonderful year for you and for us all. Can't say I'm sorry to see 2011 in the rearview mirror. LOL
Hugs,
Cheryl
I do recall those days way back when and the limited expectations of what women could do for a career. I wanted to be a teacher or a journalist but my dad wanted me to be a nurse--practical ya know. Both his parents were teachers. His mother raised 3 boys instead and his father had to supliment their income by painting barns and houses so each of the kids could have a college education. The boys had to help with that, too. I have gratitude that, because of nursing, I've had a decent life and a great retirement--but I wouldn't do it again.
I'm glad you hung in there with your writing because I love your work. I hate to think we wouldn't have that.
Thanks for that compliment about the cover for The Violin. Laura Shinn created it. I think she did a great job of it, too.
Late or early, I'm always happy to see you at one of my posts. It's a little piece of sunshine seeing your name.
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