Linda Scarlett (shown at left in my backyard) happens to be my best friend and a woman who is following her dream to be a writer. In fact, she just finished her first novel, ‘Aggi’ about a girl who carries around a severed finger in her pocket.

I’ve known Linda now for several years and she’s one of the kindest, sweetest and most gentle people on the planet. I’ve seen Linda work through obstacle after obstacle and what inspires me is her ability to always embrace forgiveness and love. She prefers to live in what she calls, ‘a happy world.’

So then how does a woman who lives in the Light write about such a dark subject such as a girl carrying around a chopped off forefinger?  I asked Linda this very question and to share her thoughts on the importance of following her dream, the obstacles she has faced and any advice she might share with others who are following the same dream. Here’s what she had to say:

Writing gives a person a voice and is a powerful healing tool. I never had a voice growing up so I would write things down and one day (when I got up enough courage, just a few years ago) I showed someone what I was working on and their reaction shocked me.  My reader was horrified and totally freaked out. That was fun. The idea that something from my imagination had that effect on another person was confirmation I was on the right path.  ‘Wow,’ I thought,  ‘I could use this as a tool to give myself a voice around things that were important to me.’

And that’s how Aggi was born.  Aggi, the 17 year old teenage girl protagonist in my novel carries around a severed finger in her pocket for good luck.  She gives all children who were raised in an unhealthy environment a voice and shows that you can overcome any obstacle. The more I shared sample chapters that i had written with others, the more they reacted and the more I wanted to go forward with the story.

I was my main obstacle on my journey to create my dream. I continually sabotaged myself to not be successful as a writer because I was always told as a child and throughout my life that I could not write. And that voice continues to speak to me on occasion. The words ‘I can’t do this’ used to play loudly in my head but not so much anymore. When the voice comes, I walk away from my writing, take a deep breath and let the voice work itself out. I try my best to love myself in the process. I’ll then come back when I’m feeling stronger and continue the story.  I’ve made the decision to not allow negative self-talk to control my life anymore. I’ve also made the decision that I am a writer. As a matter of fact, I just finished my book and recently hired an editor.

It’s important to follow your dreams because that will keep you happy. If you follow your bliss, your life just works. If you push it away, your life just doesn’t run smoothly. It’s not that you will succeed every time, (I’ve failed and have learned so much) but it’s important to follow your heart and at least try.  One of the most empowering things I have done in my life has been to face my fears head on and work through each one as it comes up.

You can read more about Aggi and the severed finger in her pocket by visiting: www.lindascarlett.blogspot.com