Guest Post: Darlene Foster

~ beetleypete

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.

105 thoughts on “Guest Post: Darlene Foster”

  1. Pingback: Guest Post: Darlene Foster – Eduardo Silva✓

  6. 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. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. 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

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Pingback: Guest Post: Darlene Foster – sponsor.me.com

      1. 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. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

    2. 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.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  14. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

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  18. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. 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.

        Liked by 1 person

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  24. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. 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!!!

    Liked by 2 people

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