You can read this wonderful publication online. Pg 17 has the online version of my article. It has a couple of cute kids attached!
Dreams do come true, if we only wish
hard enough.
By Melissa Wray
When you decide to
begin a family there should be a leaflet for future mothers to read. It would
include all the things you will need to consider and it must list the job
description; multi-tasker, protector, carer, chef, cleaner, nurse, educator, negotiator,
volunteer, assistant, judge, confidante, personal shopper, taxi driver and
babysitter. Of course none of this would deter us for a moment.
I never once thought the decision to start a family would
change my identity. But it did. I was now first and foremost a mum. It took a
bit of getting used to motherhood. Previously I had worked for several years as
a primary teacher. Strangely enough I thought that experience might help. But
as the days turned to months I soon got into the swing of parenting and all the
things it entailed. My son was 6 months old when I began a writing course by
correspondence. It was something I had wanted to do for years. I was naïve
enough to think I could complete it while the baby slept. Ha!
I persisted with it around the 40 minute sleeps taking
place three times a day. I managed to complete the assignments at night and
found myself enjoying this new found creative freedom. My dream to write a book
had always been in the back of my mind but now I was doing something about it.
Over the next five years my son gained a sister and life
got busy. I continued to write when I could find time. This was mostly late
into the night. There were plenty of times I snuck into bed well past midnight.
Sometimes on weekends hubby took the kids out for a couple of hours while I
madly pounded the keyboard in the silent house.
I honestly never believed my dream of a published book
would come true. Writing was a hobby. It was my escape from parental
responsibilities. I didn’t need to think about the shopping list or the washing
piling up. I pushed all thoughts of play dates and sticky floors that need a
mop aside. I didn’t have to think about reality because I was writing fiction.
Then in April 2012 something unbelievable happened. I was
offered a publishing contract through Morris Publishing Australia. My young adult
novel, Destiny Road was going to be
published. I read the email ten times before jumping around squealing like a
mad woman. It would seem my identity was to change again.
One
day, not long after the published books arrived, my son asked me, ‘Mum, do you
know who my favourite author is?’
I
rattled off the ones he knew from school and home; Mem Fox, Roald Dahl, Graeme
Base, Dr. Seuss.
‘No,’
he said, smiling. ‘You.’
Mahatma
Ghandi once said ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ I interpret that
to mean, lead by example. So I let my kids inspire me. I can’t tell them they
can achieve anything and do anything if they try hard, and then not follow my
own advice. So even though life changes once you become a parent it doesn’t
have to mean you lose your identity. Yes you have to juggle your responsibilities
better but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. You can still have
interests, goals and dreams.
Destiny Road was a labour of love and written late at night after my two cherubs were
sleeping soundly. I can barely remember life before children and
I wouldn’t have it any other way. I do have one more thing to add to that job
description though; Author.
Destiny Road is about a sixteen year
old girl Jessica, who is building up to making a most important decision. One
that will affect the rest of her life. It is a story of choices, consequence,
heartbreak and growth.
Read the first chapter for free;
www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/destiny-road.html
What's your dream? Tell us in the comments!
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