Relentless

What does it mean to be relentless?

The dictionary defines it this way: oppressively constant; incessant.

A few times this summer, my publisher and I have attended some community events. At these events we have marketed her publishing business, books that she's published and of course, my book, When It Rains It Pours. I ALWAYS have a ton of fun with her! She and I talk and laugh but we also put our heads together to discuss business ventures and opportunities. What I do enjoy most is meeting new people, sharing about my book and answering the many questions they have about it.

At a recent event, I sold several of my books. I even sold one to a Florida Senator! When books are sold, I always hope that people will actually read it and enjoy it but unless they do an online review, I will never know whether or not one of my babies ended up on a shelf collecting dust. Toward the close of this particular event, I sold a book to a young woman who walked up to our table and said, "I want to buy your book." She didn't ask me what it was about, didn't ask me to sign it, didn't hardly talk at all. At the end of the exchange, I wished her well and she was gone.

Three days later I get a message notification on my Instagram account. You will never guess who it was! It was the quite lady from the event. She wanted to inform me that she was on page 85 of my book and couldn't put it down. That brought tears to my eyes. Someone whom I did not know was actually reading my words and was enjoying it.

Later, when I thought about my encounter with her, the word relentless came to mind. When I wrote this book I never gave up hope that it would one day be published. Even if I had only sold a few copies, I never gave up hope that someone other that family or friends would read it and enjoy it. For me, being relentless is never quitting on myself, no matter what. I live in my dreams daily. While I do not let them over take my reality or shift my focus for very long from the moment I am in, they are always with me.

For me, it really is not about the money. I truly want people to enjoy my work. My hope is that anyone who reads anything I write will find some joy in my words, some encouragement or some connection that will push them toward their own dreams. I hope they too will be relentless and never give up on their dreams!