I am delighted to present a guest post from the lovely blogger and author, Darlene Foster.
Here is her short bio.
Darlene Foster grew up on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, where her love of reading inspired her to see the world and write stories about a young girl who travels to interesting places. Over the years she worked in rewarding jobs such as an employment counsellor, ESL teacher, recruiter, and retail manager, writing whenever she had a few spare minutes. She is now retired and has a house in Spain where she writes full time. When not travelling, meeting interesting people, and collecting ideas for her books, she enjoys spending time with her husband and entertaining rescue dogs, Dot and Lia.
Never Too Late To Become A Writer
by Darlene Foster
A goal without a plan is just a dream.
Many of us dream of being a writer. After all, we have tons of ideas. We spend years talking about it, fantasize about signing our books, and envision people saying, “I read your book and loved it.” But there is always an excuse. We are too busy working, raising kids, keeping a house, volunteering, looking after grandchildren or ageing parents; the list goes on. Then one day there is a bit more time and we say, “Now I’m too old to write a book. If only I had started years ago. It’s too late.” I have heard this many times.
I was one of those people. I had so many excuses for not sitting down and writing a book. I took writing courses and attended seminars, wrote a few short stories and submitted to the occasional contest, but the idea of writing a book was too daunting and I often felt I had left it too late.
Then I went on a fabulous holiday to the United Arab Emirates and decided I needed to write about it. It worked best for me to write my story from the point of view of a twelve-year-old and target it to middle-grade readers. Although I was already in my fifth decade, I was still busy working a full-time job, tutoring part-time, volunteering and sitting on a few boards. How was I going to fit in the time to write a book?
I came up with a clever plan. The plan was to write the book in three years; a realistic time frame for me. How was I going to do this? I planned to write one chapter a month by writing two hours a day, five days a week. By breaking it down into doable steps, it was not so difficult. I simply eliminated watching television for two hours every evening after work. Soon my friends and family understood that I could not be disturbed for those two hours. If I missed one day, I would write for two hours on the weekend.
My plan worked. At the end of three years, I had Amanda in Arabia-The Perfume Flask completed and ready for submission. It took another 5 years to find a publisher, but I persevered. In those five years, between researching publishers and writing query letters, I continued to write and completed, Amanda in Spain-The Girl in the Painting. After all, I was used to writing at least one hour a day.
I now have eight books in the Amanda Travels series published and have organized numerous book signings where people of all ages have approached me saying, “I love your books. I hope you write more.” My dream has come true!
I still write for at least two hours every day and can now write a book in one year. My next book, Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady will be released on May 11th, 2021. I am working on the ninth novel as we speak and have many more ideas. There is no stopping me now!
The lesson I learned is that it is never too late and you can never be too busy, to make your dream of writing, or any dream, come true – if you make a plan and stick to it. As a much wiser person than I once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis
Darlene´s books can be found on most booksellers´ sites including Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=darlene+foster&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
She can be contacted on various social media sites.
website http://www.darlenefoster.ca
blog https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
facebook https://www.facebook.com/DarleneFosterWriter
twitter https://twitter.com/supermegawoman
Please use the links to connect with Darlene and to find out more about her books.
“Never too late…” That’s music to my late-bloomer ears. Very inspiring post.
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Wonderful to see Darlene here sharing some more of herself and her inspiration for her Amanda series. 🙂
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It was my delight to have her as a guest, Debby.
Best wishes from Beetley, Pete. x
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Thanks Pete ❤
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Love the AMANDA series, Darlene! Great to see you at Pete’s today inspiring us all. Thanks!
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Thanks for visiting, Bette.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Very inspiring indeed..
Will you mind reading my blog, as it is my first one and I need to know where should I work..
Your precious time can do wonders for me..
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This blog is really inspiring.
Thanks for sharing
“It’s never to late”
“so start now”
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Thanks, Bee. Glad you enjoyed it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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🤗🤗🤗
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Thanks. Pleased you found it inspiring.
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Your welcome 🤗
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I totally agree! I’m 50 and even though I have no idea what I’m doing I decided to start blogging. I’m learning new things all the time and I’m enjoying every minute of it. Awesome post. 😊
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Thanks! I truly believe the secret to being youthful is to be constantly learning. May you have many years of fun blogging!! So pleased you enjoyed the post.
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😁
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What a lovely post. So nice to get to know you better, Darlene, and to learn more about the path that led you here. 🙂
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Thanks, Jennifer. Glad you enjoyed Darlene’s post.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Jennifer. Happy to share my story on Pete’s blog.
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Darlene, you are my ‘top post’ this week so far. 🙂
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That’s awesome!!
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Robbie topped last week, and now you have taken over! 🙂
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It just goes to show that if there’s a will, there’s a way. Dreams are important but at some point we need to take action and start working toward accomplishing those dreams. They don’t just happen on their own. Congratulations on your upcoming release. Your fans will be delighted I’m sure! Wishing you all the best. xo
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Thanks for your kind words, Laura.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Laura. It helps to have encouragement along the way and you have always cheered me on.
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Great guest post – I enjoyed reading Darlene’s latest book and am finding her advice about writing really useful.
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Thanks, Claire. It was a pleasure to have Darlene on my blog.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Claire. So pleased you enjoyed the book.
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All credit to you for your determination and perseverance.
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Thanks very much for your comment, Ruth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Ruth.
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It is wonderful to see Darlene here, Pete. She is a terrific writer. I think I need one of those Amanda coffee mugs.
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I am sure Darlene could arrange a mug for you, Jennie. 😉
Best wishes, Pete.
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I will get in touch with her! I have a mug of a favorite artist, and one of a favorite author’s book characters. All I need is a Starry Night mug and an Amanda mug. My mornings will be complete. 🙂
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Thanks, Jennie. All I have is a picture of the mug! I’ll have to see if there is a way of getting a real one. I have seen a Starry Night mug in a gift shop attached to an art gallery. I’ll keep my eyes open for you.
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Thanks so much, Darlene! You must love your morning coffee with Amanda. 🙂
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I really enjoyed Darlene’s inspiring (and pragmatic!) post on realizing the dream of becoming a writer.
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Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Darlene.
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Darlene Foster and I have something in common; We both have been known to sit on a few boards! Although, in my case, they were made of wood, and part of a boardwalk that runs through part of Ash Meadows NFR to a natural spring.
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That’s funny! Thanks for the laugh.
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This series is such a great idea, Darlene. I don’t see many like it for YA and MG.
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Thanks, Jacqui. When I initially did some research to see if there was anything like it out there, I couldn’t find much either.
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IB schools should love these, with their international focus.
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Darlene, I am glad you are making the rounds and picking up even more readers. Thanks, Pete, for hosting!
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Always my pleasure, Marian.
(My second wife was named Marian!)
Best wishes, Pete.
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This blogging community is so wonderful and supportive. I am so pleased to be part of it.
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Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
I am pleased to be a guest on Pete’s wonderful blog. His posts are varied and always interesting. Check them out.
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Thanks for your kind words, Darlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great. It’s nice to see people persevering and achieving their dreams. It gives me hope. I, too have always wanted to write more. My current excuse is I’m busy with final year work studies for my degree.
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That’s a very good excuse, and no doubt involves a lot of writing. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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That is definitely a valid excuse and most likely a goal of yours. Well done!
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Nice concept ❤
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Thanks!
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Always welcome 😍
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Nice to see Darlene here, Pete. And that is a very nice photo. I’m wondering what those blue flowers are.
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Darlene will have to tell you, Audrey. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Audrey. I’m sorry, I don’t know the name of the flowers but they grow profusely here in Spain.
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They’re such a wonderful shade of blue–a perfect background for you. I’m thinking they might be Plumbago, also known as sky flower–that certainly describes the ones in your photo.
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What an encouragement! It’s never too late! 😊
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Definitely not, Susanne. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I once met a woman who achieved her PhD at age 80! It is indeed never too late to follow any dream.
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Yes indeed! Your own story is inspirational! 🙂
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Thank you for introducing Darlene, Pete! I love here “Amanda”-series. For children its learning with fun, and this is the best ever. Michael
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Learning with fun is a great way to learn. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Indeed, i had missed this for a very long time. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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Thanks, Michael. Children learn better if there is fun involved. (and adults too!)
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Indeed, Darlene! We only have to say it our teacher here, too. 😉 There is more something like the old Prussian military style, and today i heard about less knowledge of the pupils about the usage of internet.
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A great guest post from Darlene (we wouldn’t expect anything less :)) Love the photo at the top, too.
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Thanks, Mary. Darlene is always on the ball!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Mary. I need to have a picture taken of me with both my dogs. Better than the boring profile picture all the time. xo
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The two hours a day dedicated to writing a book has stood many assistant professors without tenure well in becoming associate professors with tenure. Just as your guest blogger, they had a plan for the book as well. I would add to the guest blogger’s points, if you want to write, and don’t have a plan, write for two hours a day about possible plans for a book. One will come to you. As the guest blogger suggests, it is never too late. Well stated. Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks for adding your thoughts and your on experience, Theo.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That is such a great idea. Thanks, Theo.
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What an inspiring post from Darlene!
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Yes indeed. She can inspire us all with her successful and popular novels.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks! It’s good to share what has worked for me. It may just inspire someone else. xo
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“In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm… in the real world all rests on perseverance.” Goethe 🙂 Darlene got it right!
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Nice quote, FR. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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A perfect quote, but then it´s Goethe! Thanks so much.
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Hi Pete, this is lovely post featuring, Darlene. I enjoyed learning more about her writing process.
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Thanks, Robbie. Darlene is a very commited blogger, and an excellent writer.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Robbie!!
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Very inspiring. Thanks for introducing us!
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Happy to meet you here. Love your posts!
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Thank you! Maybe Amanda can join us one day 🙂
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That would be fun!!
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Amanda in the Great Lakes 🙂
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Love this Darlene! Writing is like any passion – you can’t just “have” it, you have to work at it. “We are not going to have a dream, we are going to have a plan.” Go you!!!
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Exactly. Thanks, Lindsey.
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Very inspiring; thank you.
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I´m pleased you found it inspiring!
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Inspiring Guest post. It’s never late to start any kind of job, thanks for the learning!
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Thanks. It is never too late and always great to learn new things.
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Thank you for the motivation 🙂
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I agree that you are never too old to start writing. In fact it’s better to start writing in your fifties (as I did too) because then you’ve had more experiences to write about.
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That’s a good point, Stevie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I always feel sorry for those who feel they are too old to try something new. Sometimes that’s the best time to start!
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Indeed.
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I’m on my way over, Pete.
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Thanks very much, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for having me as a guest, Pete.
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Very inspiring, well done Darlene. I’m a great believer in having a realistic system, and sticking to it, wherever possible! Cheers, Jon.
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Thanks, Jon. Glad you enjoyed the post. The sticking to it is the hard part but worth it in the end.
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Always a pleasure, Darlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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