The Tortoise and the Hare, The Little Engine That Could.
Children’s books?  Bet you’re thinking: How is Chris going to relate his blog to children’s books.  Well, stop and think for a moment.  What’s the theme of the books above?

Okay.  Have you discovered the theme?  How about instead of telling you, I show you.  One of the first rules of writing I learned from my friend, Jason Marchi, is:
Show don’t tell, 

although this rule has been around long before I knew Jason, he was the first to express it to me.
Jason is a clear example of the themes of both those children’s books.  I’ve mentioned him here several times in the past.  To refresh your memory of I came to know him, I’ll give you a brief time travel story.

We’re going back to 1989.  Hold on.  Are you ready?  Here we go!
Okay, August 1989.  I’m sitting in the kitchen in my parents house.  I just went to our mailbox and am now leafing through the mail.  I come across an adult education course catalog and see a six week writing seminar.  I decide to sign up.

Shortly after the first class starts, and the door is closed to the room, our instructor begins telling us about the six week course.  The door opens once more and someone walks in.  I look up and immediately feel a connection.  Like I know this person.  It’s the first time I’ve EVER felt such a strong connection.  I knew we’d wind up being friends.  I don’t know how I knew it, the connection was that strong however.  It was only later after I understood about past life connections that I realized we may have known each other in the past.  That’s what I believe.  Whether someone else has another theory doesn’t trouble me.  We all have our own worldview, our own belief system.

Jason, I discovered had been writing from an early age, just like myself.  Nothing detoured him.  No obstacle was big enough to prevent him from fulfilling his lifelong goal of becoming a successful published author.

Okay.  That should be enough time in the past.  Hold on!  We’re returning to 2011.  Are you ready?  You crinkle your eyes.  Wait!  you say.  It’s not 2011.

I understand; but I’m bringing you there for a specific reason.  Don’t fret.  You’ll see when when we get there.  I have to tell a little back story to catch you up on Jason’s history; so while we’re travelling back to 2011 just relax and listen.
As I said earlier in this post, Jason knew from early on that he wanted to write for a living. Slow and steady, he proceeded beginning with short stories and poetry.   Hmmm.  Slow and steady.  Does that sound familiar?  Maybe the tortoise winning the race against the hare?  Like the tortoise beating the hare, like the little engine slogging up the hill, Jason reached one summit in 2011 seeing his children’s book:
The Legend of Hobbomock:
The Sleeping Giant published and the success only mounted as he was written up in various state wide publications and he recenty discovered that he won a Connecticut Press Club Award for his book.

So, see?  It is always slow and steady that wins the race.
There is no overnight success.

If you feel like giving up, if you feel that all your endeavors aren’t seeing the light of day, remember one more step, one more day might be all you need.
If your heart sings when you’re doing something, if you’re floating on air when you’re doing it, that’s your gift.

Don’t shove it aside.
Don’t give up.
Don’t give in.

Jason and I are alike in that we both knew what we wanted from an early age and we both let nothing stand in our way, detour us or block our path to future success.  I think that’s what drew me to him that day long ago in 1989. I saw a similar soul, someone who had the same drive. I’m convinced we knew each other in the past and I’m also convinced we’ll know each other in the future.

Be Happy!  Be Well!  Be Positive!
Blessings to you.
—
Chris