Today I’m pleased to introduce you to Stephanie Fuller, a lively, fun-loving woman I met on the Twitterverse. Stephanie demonstrated to me how much she enjoys life, right down to the tiny details. She’s teaching me, by example, to look at my everyday routine with a certain degree of exuberance and delight, which is a valuable gift.
Stephanie also knows how essential it is to have someone who believes in you, who sometimes even goes out on a limb to let you know that you are worthwhile and valuable. Someone did that for her, and see how it’s made a world of difference.
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BECAUSE I KNEW YOU
by Stephanie Fuller
Dear Luna,
I’m writing this today because I knew you.
As someone once told me, writers are emotional souls. And I’ve found it to be quite true, so I’ll try not to get too mushy, though make no promises.
If anyone would have told me at the beginning of 2012 that I’d be writing this guest post, I would have said they were completely out of their minds. I don’t write. Maybe the occasional email…or text message…or Facebook status…or Tweet. Nothing worth while.
Now?
I’ve written a handful of book reviews, started my own blog with a corresponding Facebook page and written some poetry. I’ve also penned two short stories, one of which you’ve read and helped me edit, so I could submit it as a possibility for an Anthology. And just recently, I started gathering ideas and writing part of a chapter for a book. A book. Yes, me. And I’m thinking about more that I could do…yes…more.
Because I knew you, I’ve had the opportunity to read a handful of unpublished works, the first of them being yours. You gave this crazy and fun random kid you met on Twitter her first experience at Beta reading with “Joe Vampire 2: The Afterlife.” Why? Who knows. Maybe I pestered you too much and you wanted to shut me up? Or maybe you figured someone who had the guts to tell you that Doctor Who is spelled out instead of abbreviated to Dr. Who would actually tell you if your book was good or not? Either way, you did it. Thank you for taking that chance on this kid. It was a lifetime opportunity for me to read it and I loved every second of it and look forward to reading more of your work.
You’ve opened up a whole new world to me that I never thought I’d be in and taking part. I’ve always loved to read. I would take a book recommendation, read it and move on to the next one. Lather, rinse, repeat. A great story was a great story. You took it to the next level and introduced me not only to a new and amazing story, but to the people behind those stories. They in turn, to other stories and people just like them. Writers. Wordsmiths. Brilliant people…like you. I’ve been welcomed into this fantastic world with open arms and every day am inspired by them as well. I have you to thank for that.
Because I knew you, I’ve had the confidence in myself that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. Every time I’ve said “I could never do that,” you laugh at me, tell me to think about it and to maybe give it a try. When I inevitably end up doing it and tell you about it, you laugh at me, again, and say “BOOM!”, cause you knew all along that I had it in me. And then you immediately want to read what I’ve written, giving me positive and constructive feedback. Somehow you knew what I was capable of accomplishing better than I did, and do. I hope that I can be as supportive to someone else, as you have been to me.
Aside from the reading and writing, you’ve become a good friend. Someone I enjoy talking to about even the most mundane things in life. You’re a humorous soul, who always manages to crack me up, making up pun-tastic words as you go along. You also remind me time and time again, that life is filled with things that we cannot control. If someone makes an unkind comment, we need to spin it to something positive or forget about it completely. You’ve celebrated with me over any little thing that makes me geekily excited and said supportive words when I’m stressed out or sad. And more importantly, you’ve taught me that if life throws you sauerkraut, make chocolate cake. ;-
I see how you interact with others and know that you aren’t just pulling the manuscript over my eyes. You are a genuine and amazing person and you share that with everyone you come in contact with, including me. We are all better because we knew you.
As time inches closer to the end of 2012, I look toward the future and wonder what else I “could never” do that I actually can, and will…maybe…because I knew you.
I’ll always be grateful for your inspiration and friendship,
Your Hipster
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Stephanie Fuller is an avid crafter (crochet and scrapbooking) and the creator of The Book Hipster Blog. She resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and daughter. She has no published works to date, but has big dreams. This is only the beginning.
Blog: thebookhipster.com
Twitter: @ImaFuller
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheBookHipster
Email: stephanie@thebookhipster.com
h. l. nelson
29 Nov 2012Awww, that’s so sweet! 😀
Elise
29 Nov 2012Thanks, Heather! It’s especially sweet, I agree!
JesseJamesFreeman
29 Nov 2012Welcome Stephanie. We’re glad you’re here – where you belong.
Elise
29 Nov 2012I know, right? She’s such a kind, honest writer, this can only be the beginning. 🙂
The Book Hipster
29 Nov 2012Jesse, you do realize I could have written almost this exact same (okay, not the exact same, but close enough) letter to you, right??? You and Luna…my cool big brothers! 😉
Todd Trann (@toddtrann)
29 Nov 2012It’s really cool when people inspire others. Loved the post, thanks for sharing!
Tess Hardwick
29 Nov 2012Love this! You never know what the universe is going to deliver if you’re open to it. You and Luna are both special people and I’m lucky to know you both. Good luck with your writing in 2013. xoxo
dsavannah
29 Nov 2012AWESOME! And so well written! 🙂 I just <3 the hipster!
stevenluna
29 Nov 2012How did I get tears all over the internet? Oh yeah…I read your post. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship, Hipster…you’re the awesomest 🙂