Always “Most Improved”, Never “Most Valuable”

When I was a kid, it became a running joke in my family that whatever sport I played, I walked away after every season having earned the “Most Improved Player” award. From eight grade girls’ volleyball to varsity tennis and softball, without fail, I was awarded a plaque with my name etched just below the same words year after year: "Most Improved".

At the time, they felt like throw-away awards. Sure, it was great to be recognized for hard work and sportsmanship, but it was never going to be anything more. I would never have a plaque that said, “Most Valuable Player” because I was never the best—just someone who worked hard.

Fast forward twenty-five years. And wow, do I have a new perspective (as age and time tends to offer).

About five years ago, a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she was going to be hosting a live event on social media about storytelling and how to write a book. I signed up for it out of curiosity (and because it was during the first few months of the COVID-19 lock down and I was desperate for a distraction). I consumed every word she shared and walked away thinking, “How hard can this be? I can write a book!”

But I discovered quickly that… IT WAS HARD! Never one to be discouraged by a challenge though, I kept working at it. Day by day (and mostly night by night), I developed my characters and discovered their voices; I found the right plot lines and appropriate beats; I learned about the publishing industry and took courses on agents and query letters; I partnered with writers better than myself to learn the craft; and built time into my day to continuously work on my story.

It took me six months to get my first novel into a solid, working draft, but the process excited me! The characters spoke to me and gave me something to think about (probably when I should have been sleeping or completing another task!). It meant something to me though… picking away at a story until it sang. With each minute, I improved my final product.

Within a few months of completing my first book, I was offered a publishing contract with Inkspell Publishing and signed on the dotted line immediately. And while I waited for my publishing date to arrive, I started writing a sequel and building my author brand online. I designed and launched a website; I started blogging and started a monthly newsletter; I set up an Instagram and Facebook page dedicated to my books; I started instructing writing courses at my local community college; and began networking and making author friends.

And that was just the beginning…

As I write this blog today, I’m humbled by my many accomplishments since I first spoke the words, “I’m going to write a book.” Because everything I’ve built has been driven by the desire to improve.

I’m proud to share that five years after my author journey began, I’ve published six books and have two (and a half!) more written. I’ve been featured in publications like Canvas Rebel, Bold Journey, and Authority Magazine. I’ve been a guest on countless podcasts like Romance Obsessed, the Queen of COMM, and the Friendship Onion. I’ve appeared live on the local news station WCIA, shared my story on the stage with That’s What She Said, and appeared on WBNQ 101.5.

My books have won awards including four first place (and one second place) wins with The BookFest, three American Writing Awards finalist designations, a Literary Global Award, and a Clarion Award.

I’ve attended book signings in multiple states at indie bookstores, book festivals, and vendor markets and have two upcoming dates to appear at Barnes & Noble. I’ve presented at professional writers’ conferences and instructed coursework at the college level.

And do you know what? None of those things would ever have happened unless I continuously worked to improve my storytelling skills and author brand.

As it turns out, being the most improved player isn’t a throw-away award. In fact, I would argue that it’s the most valuable award I could have ever received. It taught me that good things don’t happen overnight. Good things happen with time, patience, dedication, and the continuous desire to improve.

I’ll never say never (because a girl can dream), but even if I don’t ever become a New York Times or USA Today bestseller, I can look back on my journey and be proud of what I’ve accomplished. Because hard work does pay off—and the desire to always improve is a trait worth living and embracing every day.

I’d be nowhere without it.

To my junior high and high school coaches, you saw something in me that I didn’t value or recognize until recently. I’ll take the “most improved” title any day of the week.