The time has arrived! One week from right now, I’ll be sitting in the airport during my first layover on the way to Scotland. This past week has been a ride to say the least. I submitted Dawn of the Dragonwolf to the publisher and did a lot of paperwork for my home. I also put together a PowerPoint presentation for my final event on my mini book tour and packed my bags.
While working on the PowerPoint, I went though a bunch of old things from my first trip to Scotland in 2011. I was reminded of just how much I’d worked on my worldbuilding and writing on that trip. I was also reminded of the dreams I’d had as a teenager that I never thought I would achieve.
I never thought I’d be able to go back to Scotland. I never thought I would finish a single book. But in just a short while I’ll be traveling around Angus and Aberdeenshire for three events as a published author. I’ll be visiting places I loved—Kirriemuir, Restenneth Priory, Dunottar Castle—and places entirely new. I’ll be taking minifigures of Mara and Ember along with me to photograph in beautiful Scottish hills and on walks through ruined castles. I’ll be talking about my journey as an author, about dreams coming true, and I’ll be signing books and taking additional signed books to other bookstores who want to add them to the shelves but couldn’t fit an event on the calendar.
The Huntly bookstore called this a “spiritual homecoming”, and I doubt I could put it better myself. Kirriemuir became my second home when I went so many years ago. There is little I love more than I love Scotland, and I have wanted it to be my permanent home since the day I left it. Maybe one day I’ll be able to have a writing cottage in the woods somewhere. Just a few series down the road. One can hope.
After all, it was the hopes of a teenage me that turned into impossible dreams … and later reality.
When next I check in, it will be after the book tour. After sitting atop Kirrie Hill and writing a chapter or two of Ember’s story. After seeing some of my big, impossible dreams come true and come full circle.
I am a testament that dreams come true if you work for them. If something matters to you, never stop fighting for it! Your dreams are worth having, and you are worth them.
Until next time, adventurers!
Tales of Ambergrove 