I'm welcoming the epiphany that I have been waiting to have.
Though I need another one; the one where I'm not hesitant on saying that all I do is write. And listen to music. And have unnecessary proclamations.
But I want to make my hobby worthwhile. I want to take it and utilize it and help people maybe in the slightest way. I mean, I have a lot to learn in that department, but I am striving to be this empathetic being, who is crazy about the world and all things beautiful. I will get there. But for now, let me start here.
Like I said, I AM WRITING A BOOK. With that, comes the synopsis and the cover and the publishing aspects of it but slow down, it is only a crazy idea. I want to complete this idea more than anything.
This book is going to be about my life.
My struggles, wildest dreams, why I am the way that I am. It is going to be called Raised By Lions, as a homage to my parents' zodiac sign, Leo. I don't personally worship zodiac signs and the subject nor do I necessarily believe them, but it's just a cool concept to me and their behaviors and why they did the things that they did fascinates me to no end. And, so it says, your astrological sign dictates how you act. And so, that is what I fathom.
Anyway, I am pretty sure author's notes are written after the final project, but here is mine taken straight from my Google Drive. Again, this is a premeditation because I like to dwell on dreams and I hope that you do too.
Dear Reader,
I have been interested in writing for as long as I can remember. Something about recollection, nostalgia, and reminiscing has brought me true happiness. From reading to writing to conversation, telling stories and interpreting them has been all I’ve ever wanted to do. And I believe that regardless of what I do as a career, it will always lead me back to writing.
I am coming to you as an eighteen year old, recently graduated, my summer full of absolute free time but soon I’ll be off trying to support a family of my own that I know I will eventually have in the future. It’s all business from here on out. Yet again, it always has been.
Everyone has a story, whether they come from nothing or everything, or a little bit of both. It’s their choice whether they tell it or whether or not they think it’s worth telling. I do not think that mine should be screamed to the top of the world, but if I can offer you anything it would be my support and to admit that I am living proof, among many others, that you can make something out of tragedy, heartbreak, misunderstanding, and most importantly, courage, determination and resilience. And if I could trust anyone with my story, it would most definitely be you. You come across this with interest, possibly curiosity, or maybe because you’re bored and the cover looked cool. Regardless, it has met you and I couldn’t be more grateful that is in your hands.
I write in all sorts of ways. I have a blog, I spend time out of my day to write people letters full of gratitude, I send messages to friends who need them when they feel like they shouldn’t be here. But I have always felt like there’s a magnet pulling me towards novels. I love writing as if I’m in the situation, especially if it’s not me. The thing is though, Raised By Lions is me and it is my family.
x.
My intentions are to write my story as if you were there. That is why I chose to write it as if it was a novel. I’m writing this without the ability to remember every specific detail, so all of the conversations that happen in this book aren’t word for word. Some of the details or order of events have also been fabricated. I have also decided to change names of places and people, to protect those involved who didn’t really have a say in how they affected my life. The emotion nonetheless, is still there.
I hope you take my novel, and run with it. Take all of these lessons that I was taught, and mold them to your life. Pass it on, and agree with me in some aspects as if this was your story. Come to think of it, it is yours. I thank you with all of me for taking the time out of your day to read this, and all of what is yet to come.
Yours Truly,
Aaliyah M.
[Picture taken from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/27021666488263809/?lp=true. The quote is from the movie/musical Waitress. It is one of the purest and truest things that I have ever heard and if I were to see it a million times over I would. Seeing this musical senior year of high school after experiencing so much and trying to find instances where individuals understood in the slightest way, was all I needed to realize who I am, and as I still realize this I take this quote everywhere. As for the lion that was there previously, I have repurposed it.]