Happy Friday Everyone! It's the end of the workweek so you know what that means--we've got an awesome giveaway for our beloved readers. In fact, we've got TWO awesome giveaways this week, two digital copies of ATLANTIS RIPTIDE a great new YA by Allie Burton. But before we get to givin' Allie's got a great story to share about the Worst Advice she ever received. Take it away, Allie!
The Sure
Thing
By Allie
Burton
Thanks
to Lea Nolan and the rest of the writers at Honestly YA for hosting!
The worst advice I ever received was to go
for the guaranteed outcome or Sure Thing. At times I followed this advice and
at other times I threw caution to the wind and went for what I wanted. The
thing that was unattainable, difficult to get, or unusual and exciting.
The
Saturday Night Date Sure Thing: I had a long-term steady boyfriend in high
school. I loved him but knew we wouldn’t stay together and get married. There
were too many things I wanted to do in life. My friends thought I was nuts. I
had a guaranteed date every Saturday night, a date for Homecoming and Prom. I
had a Sure Thing, why mess it up?
Well,
first because I ended up breaking his heart. Second, because I missed out on
experiences other girls had including flirting at parties, the excitement of
waiting for a guy’s call, and eventual heartbreak.
The
Summer Job Sure Thing: I come from a large family with two brothers and three
sisters. All of my sisters worked at a local deli. It was a good job and paid
well. Getting a position there was a Sure Thing for me. And I took the job.
But
I wanted more. I wanted different. I wanted exciting. So, I applied to the
local police department to be a bike cop. There were only six positions. And
guess what, I got one of them. I spent the summer outside, riding my bike forty
hours a week. Best summer ever! And I was in the best shape ever!
The
If-You-Don’t-Try-You-Won’t-Be-Disappointed Sure Thing: My brothers were
athletes. My older sisters not so much. The Sure Thing was to keep my part-time
job at the deli instead of quitting to try-out for the tennis team. I had no
real practice or training. No lessons.
But
I wanted to be part of a team in high school. So, I worked my butt off the
summer before sophomore year and tried out for the team. I didn’t make it. The
next summer, I worked harder and went to summer practice with the team. I made
the JV team my junior year. By senior year, I was the first doubles team, but
still on JV. I never got my Varsity letter but I did take a chance and I did
make a team. And great friends in the process.
The
College Choice Sure Thing: My parents couldn’t afford to pay for college so I went
to the local community college my first year. I was majoring in Fashion Design
with the intent to design costumes for the stage. The courses were a good
foundation but none of these people were going anywhere.
So,
I put together a portfolio and applied to art school to study costuming. Now,
I’m not a good artist but I was accepted and attended for a year. I decided
this wasn’t for me either. I should’ve done the Sure Thing and lived at home
while deciding what to do with my life.
But,
I took another huge risk and moved to California. I got a job at a deli (see
the earlier Sure Thing paid off by helping me to get this job), and went back
to school. Two months before I could move into the residence hall I had to
leave my apartment, so I found a way to camp in the state parks for the summer.
(This is where I got the idea for my character Pearl in ATLANTIS RIPTIDE to live in a campground. I’d done all the research
when I was in college.)
All
big risks—not a single Sure Thing. If I hadn’t taken those risks I never
would’ve met my husband and decided I wanted to be a writer.
Which
brings me to my last Sure Thing.
The
Career Choice Sure Thing: I wanted to be a writer, but the chances of being
successful were slim and I had rent and bills to pay. So, I did the Sure Thing
and graduated with a degree in advertising and public relations. I had a great
career in that field and I enjoyed it, for the most part.
But
there were always stories inside my head. Characters who wanted to come out and
play. Plots with twists even I didn’t see coming.
So, now I’m a writer. My first book
releases next week. I don’t know if my stories will sell or if I’ll be
successful. It’s a risk. But it’s exciting, and a little scary. And it’s not a
Sure Thing.
What was the Sure Thing you gave up and are
you glad you did?
When her kids asked, “when are you going to write a story we
can read?” she switched from adult novels to Young Adult and Middle Grade and
hasn’t looked back.
Allie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers
& Illustrators, Romance Writers of America including the Young Adult, Dallas
Area Romance Writers and Heart of the Rockies chapters. She is also a member of
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Currently, she lives in Colorado with her
husband and two children. Find out more at her website, follow her on Twitter, or on Facebook.
Atlantis Riptide
Lost Daughters of Atlantis Book 1
Sixteen-year-old Pearl Poseidon ran away from the circus tired of her adoptive parents’ abuse of her special skills. As a runaway, she craves anonymity but when she saves a small boy from drowning she draws attention to herself and her special abilities. Boardwalk employee and aspiring investigative reporter, Chase Thomas, helps her with the rescue and witnesses her amazing dive.
Now, he has questions. And so do the police.
Unbeknownst to Pearl, a battle rages under the Pacific between Loyal and Non-Loyal Atlantean forces and each side wants to use her powers for their cause. Will the commotion in the ocean expose her secrets to the world? Will Chase’s reporter-determination ruin their chance for a real relationship? Will staying near the ocean she loves catapult into a battle royale?
25 comments:
Allie-
Love this post! The "sure thing" is safe but it doesn't necessarily lead us to something exciting.
For me, not taking the sure thing happened when I moved in my early 20s to Texas from New York. I'm still so grateful I did it for innumerable reasons, but one of the best ones was the friends I made (and YOU are one of those!!!!)
No need to enter me for the drawing since I've already devoured ATLANTIS RIPTIDE!!!! :-)
Addison
Hey,Allie! I'm so excited about your book! Looks awesome. My Sure Thing moment was picking my major in college. I wanted to major in music so I naturally would be a band director. Only I didn't like it. So I took the risk and changed my major. No regrets!
Thanks Addison! Ten years of friendship sure flew by fast. Allie
Anonymous,
I wouldn't recommend this but I changed majors 4 times!
Allie
Hey, Allie. Didn't realize you were a fellow (recovering) ad professional. LOVE that Pearl runs away from the circus--wonderful break with expectations!
My Sure Thing was a job offer I passed on, in spite of being desperate for a change. My spidey sense warned me that my prospective boss was about to implode. Who wants to work for a time bomb? *shudder*
Wishing you huge success with Pearl's story!
Sally,
Thanks for the well wishes. I had the same experience with a job offer. Right out of college I was offered a job by a large corporation - a place you'd stay for your entire career. That scared me because I wasn't ready for a long term commitment. I still don't regret it.
Allie
Hi Allie! :)
The only sure thing I've ever had in my life was deciding to become an Independently Published Author. The rest I just rolled with the punches and did the best I could with a lot of fumbling along the way.
Cheryl G
Hey Allie!
Wow, the things I've just learned about you. The most important is that you're not afraid to take good risks.
The sure thing I did follow was to become a nurse. It's in my blood and allowed me to become confident in dealing with people, harsh circumstances and emergencies. In that realm, when I finally became a published author, then step out into the self pubbed world, I let go of that "sure thing" job of nursing...and it feels wonderful!!
Oh I forgot...don't enter me in the giveaway as I'm in the middle of ATLANTIS RIPTIDE...and loving it!
Hi Allie!
Congratulations on your first guest blog and your upcoming release! Good times!
You're a wonderful writer and I can't wait to read Atlantis Riptide.
And,love your point about risks making life worth living. :)
Hi Allie! I gave up a sure thing right out of college. I was offered my dream job, but I turned it down for a variety of reasons, mostly because it just didn't feel right. Life's funny though, because I wound up in the same career field a few years later anyway, and I doubt I would be writing now, or have the husband or farm I love. Those sure things are tough to pass up, but I think we always wonder what might have been if we take them.
Congrats on the release!
Callene
Hi Allie!
Great post. Life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will, does it?
As for me and my family, I hung on to my "sure thing" job until it let go of me early last year. My husband told me I should give it up months before, but I was comfortable in my steady paycheck. But now that it's gone, I get to spend more kids and do what I really love, art and writing.
No need to enter me in the contest. My copy of Atlantis Riptide is coming in the mail!
Hey, Allie. First guest blog! Yea! First of many firsts now. Can't believe your first book is coming out so soon. Congrats, girl. Love the blurb. Will have to read it.
I'm not much of a risk taker. Though I've done some risky things in my life: run for school board, act in a play after 35 years, and write a book. Okay, so maybe a little bit of a risk taker. Your post was cleverly written. Enjoy it. Good luck wiht the release and sales.
Cher, Suzanne, and Marsha,
I think a writing career is a big risk no matter in what form. All three of these wonderful ladies are published!
Allie
Rashda and Callene,
Thanks for the good wishes. And Callene I know having a farm is a big risk!
Allie
Just wanted everyone to know that Lyndsey Lewellen designed my gorgeous cover!
Allie
Hey Allie,
A Sure Thing? Is there such a thing?
My one sure thing was knowing that I wanted to go in to medicine. I used a scholarship that I got for journalism and went into medicine. I'm glad I did, I got to do interesting things to people! Ha and learn a lot about a lot of things, but I never lost my passion to write. Now I get to blend both worlds, to my delight.
Congratulations on your launch and best wishes for a successful writing career. I look forward to reading your work!
All the best,
DeLaine Roberts
Delaine,
Thanks for the good wishes and right back at you. I bet with a medical career you have a lot of interesting stories.
Allie
Great post! I left my sure thing of a full college scholarship my junior year to move all the way across the country from Florida to California to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. Best thing I ever did! (Although I nearly gave my parents a heart attack. And I did go back to school and get my degree.)
I can't wait to read your book!
Jennifer,
Wow! That was brave. I also took a year off college and moved to California! The pull of the ocean was just too strong which is a lot like my main character Pearl's motivation.
Allie
Allie, I'm so excited about your book! Great post, and I guess my sure thing was staying in speech and language pathology. But when a door opens, well, I don't regret my choice for a moment!
Sorry to be here late!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
Nancy,
Sounds like an interesting career! Thanks for posting!
Allie
Hi Allie,
Great interview. Wishing you the best with this your first YA. (Love the cover and premise.)
Sandy
Allie,
I love that your Sure Things paid off in the long run. :-)
Everyone in my family discouraged me from a life of drama--and I don't mean high-school drama. I wanted to be an actress, but I ended up pursuing the Sure Things.
And I'm glad I did. I love my life. I love writing about adventures instead of taking the risks in real life. I love writing drama instead of acting on someone else's life in front of a camera. Now I make up my own dramas. :-)
Your book sounds awesome! What a cool idea! I've always been fascinated by Atlantis.
Great post, Allie!
I gave up my Sure Thing (full time work) to pursue freelance writing a decade ago. At first, I starved (but the DH had a good job), but I don't regret making the move to being my own boss.
So glad Atlantis Riptide is coming out! Congratulations!
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