I Just Published My First Book

Dear Self, guess what? No, really, guess! Okay, fine, I’ll spill it—I’m officially a published author! Can you believe it? I still can’t. Seriously, little-me writing love stories and scribbling comics would be so proud.

Life has a funny way of making us realize our true passions. For me, the allure of storytelling began in elementary school. From penning cheesy love stories to creating comics and even scripting drama assignments in high school, writing has always been my refuge. Yet, even as I ventured into a completely different field—nursing—in college, the call to write never really left me. It was my sanctuary, my way to de-stress amid the rigors of academic and professional life.

The Detours: Challenges and Hurdles

The road to becoming an author is seldom smooth. In my case, it felt downright impossible at times. High school bullies and college challenges sapped the joy I used to find in writing. For years, life’s distractions kept me away from my dream. The days when I thought I could be an author seemed like a distant, unrealistic fantasy.

But, like they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Technological advances, particularly the rise of self-publishing platforms, rekindled that dwindling flame. The dream was possible again.

The Turning Point: Loss, Love, and Inspiration

The year my father passed away marked a turning point for me. Further complicated by the global COVID pandemic, it was a time of introspection and significant life changes. Amid all the chaos, I found my muse again. I revisited the stories I had written as a teenager and decided it was time they saw the light of day. And so, the process began.

The Milestone: “Mali Ba Ako: A Collection of Am I The A-Hole Stories”

Fast forward to today, I am thrilled to share that my first self-published book, “Mali Ba Ako: A Collection of Am I The A-Hole Stories,” is out in the world. Inspired by the modern storytelling format that delves into moral quandaries, this book is a compilation of revised short stories from my younger years, combined with fresh, new perspectives.

Releasing the eBook version felt like a regular day, but holding the author’s paperback copy was an entirely different experience. It was overwhelming—emotional even. Though it’s a small book with fewer than a hundred pages, the sense of achievement is beyond words. I had finally realized my dream.

Gratitude

None of this would have been possible without the help of Draft2Digital, an incredible platform that enabled me to publish my work without upfront costs. And, of course, an enormous thank you to my partner and my furry canine daughter, who have been my constant sources of inspiration and support.

So What’s Next?

Having achieved this milestone, the journey is far from over. I’m already planning my next projects, eager to revive more stories from my past and present them in a new light. There’s an entire world of stories waiting to be told, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

So, to anyone nursing a similar dream—don’t give up. Keep writing, keep believing, and one day you’ll hold your creation in your hands, just like I did.

And that, my friends, is a dream come true.