For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to write. Stories, poems, songs, all of it.

When I was a kid, I used poetry and songs to deal with big emotions. I didn’t have the easiest childhood, and writing was one way I could process those emotions and get out how I felt and what I wanted to say. I even won a few poetry contests. Writing to me has always been an outlet and something I was passionate about. Which is why one of the items on my bucket list was to publish a book.

As much as I’d love to say that that has already happened, that would not be the case. However, I have made the first step in this process: I submitted a book for publishing.

And then I got the second step: I got my first rejection! Not everyone can say they have been rejected by a publishing house, so I’m weirdly proud of that fact.

The book I submitted was a rhyming children’s book I wrote for my daughter. Even if nothing ever comes of it, I will always be proud of my first attempt at becoming a published author.

I’m going to continue submitting my writing, and maybe someday, I will be able to check off more than just “Get rejected by a publishing house” on my bucket list.