Dear Diary,
Today I must say I'm feeling good. I went to church and the pastor's sermon really spoke to me and I left service feeling energized and inspired all at the same time. Alot of times when I'm at church I get things from God (my pastor says they are downloads into our spirit) and I feel like writing and sharing it with you today. As I was sitting in church I began to think about the direction that my life has taken and had a couple of questions that entered into my mind. Sometimes I laugh because it's like my mind never shuts off because I'm always thinking about something :) . I started to think about the whole process of me trying to become published and get my name out there and all of the trials and tribulations I've faced already even though I'm only in the beginning of my journey and I've realized that it is all necessary part of the whole equation. There are so many people who try to surround themselves around you because they see that you are heading somewhere in a direction that they think they want to go but when you need them the most they are no where to be found. Those same people who professed their love and admiration for what you're trying to do are gone...no where to be found. I've come to realize this: When you have a vision and a dream to do something don't expect for people to jump behind you and push you along because they wont. And don't use that very fact to just give up your dream and quit because giving up is not an option. If you still have a dream and a vision to do something then continue on no matter who is supporting you. You don't need anyone to validate who you are or the gift you had because God has given it to you. Just don't allow your vision to stop and your dream to die because of the people around you. No matter who tries to hate on you they won't even be able to because if it's your time...it's your time. God appoints all of us a time when he will bring our dream and our vision to pass but we have to make sure we recognize the season we're in. After much prayer and direction, I know this is my season. Even though I don't have a clear direction of how everything will happen for me I know that it's just a matter of time before God shows up and brings clarity. Right now my role is to be in position so that I will be able to gain insight. I know it's my time to shine!!!

Until next time,
Jessica aka "Lyric" Robinson

A valuable lesson

Dear Diary,
It's been a little while since I've written anything and today I figured I might as well write and keep you updated. So I finally got in contact with one of the people that I sent my manuscript to and I must say I received pretty good feedback. I wanted to know this person's honest opinion of my work and I had braced myself for what they were going to say. I was actually suprised when I opened up the email yesterday. She had wrote me and informed me that she read what I sent to her and that she found it to be absolutely interesting. That made me smile. She really enjoyed what I sent to her and that made me happy to hear such positive feedback. I can say I learned a valuable lesson from her email. Alot of times as an aspiring author we can tend to be a little overprotective of our work and what people say about it because to us our first novel is like our baby and we sometimes feel it's perfect. We are even nervous to hear what people have to say because we find ourselves afraid of that one word...REJECTION. We're afraid to submit to companies and we're afraid to ask our literary friends what they think about our work because we're afraid it will be negative but the lesson I learned is this: Not to let fear stop you from moving forward. If we're afraid to move forward then we will never grow and we will never see progress. Actually, we have to take the good with the bad and allow it to develop us as people and as authors...nobody is perfect and the things we write are definitely not perfect. Everyone and everything we come across on our literary journey is what makes us become who we are and ultimately is what shapes the greatness that we become. I'm learning day by day not to be afraid of what anyone has to say whether it be good or bad because it is what will ultimately take me to the next level.

Until next time,
Jessica aka Lyric Robinson

Just my thoughts...

Dear Diary,
So it's the first day of July and I thought it would be a good day to write another entry in my diary. Well actually by the time this posts it will be July 2nd but who cares right? Lol....
I've just been thinking about alot of things in my life since last week and I thought I would share them with you...I've been thinking alot about life and how precious it is. I am more determined now than ever to make my mark in this world and make a difference. I'm not even concerned about fame and fortune I just want to make a difference in someone's life...I have been through so much and I have a story to tell and I cannot wait for the world to hear what's been inside my heart for so long.
For so long I've been waiting to find out what it is i want to do in life and I know one of those things is writing. Writing is definitely a passion for me and it's what truly makes me happy. I am not even concerned about writing a certain way just to gain readership and make money...I just desire to tell stories that are from the heart and let it flow....
I know my time is coming and I have to encourage myself sometimes because there is no one who is pushing behind you telling you to go on. It's just something that you have to do regardless who's around. I lnow when I hit the Essence Best Seller's list, and eventually The New York Times that there will be droves of people standing aound saying that they were with me from the beginning but I know who was really there supporting me and telling me to keep going...I know who is true and who is real in my life and those are the people that I will always keep close to me because they weren't concerned about anything else but being my support system. I know I have alot of dreams and it seems like I want alot of things but I've always been the one to aim high...I feel it makes me hustle even harder and that's my philosopy of life...hustle hard...sleep later...:)

Until next time,
Jessica aka Lyric

So I have news.....

Dear Diary,
Well this is a couple of days over due but I still wanted to share it with you...So I was at work minding my own business and trying to get finished when my cel phone started buzzing to let me know I had a text message. I stopped what I was doing and opened it and it was an email to one of the anthology projects that I submitted a short story to...and she wrote me to tell me that my short story had been accepted for their project!
I was so excited that I wanted to practically run around at my job but I kept my cool...all those people wouldn't have understood anyway....
It feels so good to be involved with a anthology with someone who I consider a trailblazer in the Literary world and I feel honored to have my work recognized. The anthology won't be out until next year but that's still right around the corner...

I will make sure I keep you updated because I know you're nosy just like me! lol

Until next time,
Jessica A. Robinson
"Lyric"
I'm on my way!!!

The leap of faith!!!

So I've done it...I've stepped out and done something that I've been afraid to do for so long and I know you're probably wondering what I'm talking about. I've started to submit my manuscript to some publishing companies and get some feedback on what I am to do next. For those who are reading this and think that I just finished writing my manuscript a couple of days ago well that can't be anymore from the truth. The truth is I finished writing my novel Holy Seduction in the fall of 2007 and haven't really proceeded to do anything or move forward until now. I guess you can say that I was a little nervous about sending it out and hearing what people have to say about my baby but now I am to the point where I want to know what they're going to say. I've been preparing myself for rejections because I know they will come and I have been excited about the number of people who will love my work (because I believe that it's a great story). I am ready to move forward with this whole process and I'm tired of hearing everyone else's negative comments because I'm trying to move along with this. I'm very excited to be entering this phase of the literary process and with this process comes alot of patience because now i have to wait and see what they will say. Either their answers will be yes or no but I'm glad that at least I took this brave step and submitted my story. So stayed tuned to my diary as I travel through the wonderful process of the waiting game...the wonderful world of submissions.

Until next time,
Jessica aka Lyric

I'm new to this...

Hello everyone!
This is my first time posting on my new blog so I figure that I would introduce myself. My name is Jessica "Lyric" Robinson and I am an aspiring author. I have recently completed my first novel which is called Holy Seduction and I am very excited! Writing this novel has been a true process and has definitely been something has allowed me to learn alot about myself. I decided to start this blog fairly early in my literary journey because I feel it's important to share with everyone the entire process and hopefully someone will be able to gain some insight. I can't wait to share with you as I embark on my literary journey and I hope you stay tuned because this will definitely be interesting!