Guest post AND A-Z Challenge Day 14!

I'm interrupting the A-Z Challenge (again) to host a really awesome guest blogger- Alison Stone!!!!! But PLEASE make sure you keep reading and check out today's Challenge post....I so enjoyed writing this one!!!!

A Sure Way to Fail

Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Stephanie!

I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie about a year or so ago at our local chapter meeting. From the minute I met her, I knew I liked her. Then I started reading her blog and liked her even more. She shares her struggles and her excitement on her writing journey. As I writer, I can so relate. And how can you not like someone whose favorite movie is Dirty Dancing. Love, love, love that movie. I think it reminds me of my freshman year of college—a time of new adventure, new friends and a future bright.

Life has taken a lot of twists and turns since my freshman year in college—most of them good. Back then, I was an engineering major. Yes, I graduated and went on to work in various industries from pharmaceutical, to aeronautical and automotive. I had fantastic jobs if you measured them in terms of pay and benefits. However, I was never truly satisfied. After my second child was born, I started to think I’d like to become a full-time mom. After about six months of debating, I made the plunge. Fortunately, I was in a good position (read: my husband could support with us!) to make this decision. Eventually, I started to write, first children’s books then romantic suspense. During the first few years, I spent a lot of time questioning my new dreams. Me, a writer. Yeah right?

I don’t think I’m unique. Many people are dissatisfied with their jobs, yet they are fearful to make a change. Maybe they’re afraid their dreams are unrealistic. Maybe it’s not practical to up and quit, but maybe little by little, changes can be made. I love the quote:

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?— Robert Schuller

No one truly knows the outcome of any endeavor, but I know I wasted months—years maybe—asking myself why did I think I could be a writer? I’m not a writer. I’m a math person. Who was I kidding?

I wasted far more time questioning my abilities than just getting down to work. It was finally when I got to work that I found success. Did I think success was just going to fall into my lap? Sure, I had lots of rejection, but I learned a little more each step of the way.

Sixteen years after first getting the idea to write, ten years after joining Romance Writers of America, and five years after signing with my agent, I am finally going to be a published author. My first book, Random Acts, will be released on April 24, 2012. My second book, Too Close to Home will be released August 7, 2012. Finally putting aside my fear of failure, led to success.

I don’t know what the future holds and sometimes the doubts still creep in, but one thing I know for sure: I will absolutely NOT have success if I don’t work to achieve my goals. So, head down, hands on keyboard and keep plugging away.

Do you have a dream? Are you thinking about going back to college? Do you have a great idea for new business? How about applying for that new job?

Are you afraid to start taking steps toward it because you’re afraid to fail? What if you knew you couldn’t fail? I have a secret: You’re sure to fail, if you don’t take that first step.

Author Bio:

Alison Stone graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech. After working in Corporate America for a number of years, she retired to raise her young family. Soon the writing bug bit. After years of conferences, critique groups and writing, Alison sold two manuscripts that will be released in 2012. She claims it was easier to earn her engineering degree. Random Acts is her debut novel. To learn more about Alison Stone please visit www.AlisonStone.com.

***Note from Stephanie- Please click one of the links for a blurb!!! For some bizarre reason, I can't get the excerpt to paste into the post :(


Random Acts available at:

Samhain Publishing: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/alison-stone-pa-1705.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Random-Acts-ebook/dp/B00795G1X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334076604&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/random-acts-alison-stone/1108890294?ean=9781609288242&itm=1&usri=alison+stone

And now we return to the A-Z Challenge!!

N is for New Kids on the Block!!!!

Yeah...anyone that even remotely knows me knows I am a HUGE NKOTB fan!! Yes...still!

Of course I had my obsession when I was a kid...plastering my bedroom wall with every poster I could get my hands on. I sure helped keep Bop and TigerBeat magazines in business. But when they fizzled out...I was still a fan, but more in a nostalgic way. I followed my favorite guys, supporting solo careers through the late 90's and early 2000's. I voted every week for Joey when he was on Dancing With The Stars. I was even lucky enough to meet him when the DWTS tour came to my city in 2007.

Then, later 2007 or early 2008, I heard a bit of buzz about their website being updated. There was some music playing on it...something I'd never heard before...something new. Could it be? Oh yes! The guys had reunited with a new album and a tour. I was so there!!!

And they haven't stopped since. They are all older, and all but 1 are in their 40's, but hotter than ever. Seen them perform 7 times since the first reunion show in September of 08. And I can't wait til they tour again!