From Throwing the Towel to Succeeding

Jan 6
3 min read

By Dorothe PHILIPPE

When the Dream Feels Too Big to Finish

Writing a book can feel like climbing Mount Everest. At first, you are guided by excitement and inspiration. The idea of sharing your story or writing that bestseller gives you wings. The words pour out, the introduction flows, and maybe even the first few chapters take shape. But soon, reality sets in. Books require time, discipline, and endurance. The blank page starts to stare back. Inspiration fades, and procrastination sneaks in. Days, weeks, even years can pass, and still, the dream remains unfinished.

Overwhelmed, Rejected, and Ready to Quit

I know this cycle all too well. To “crack the code” of bestselling authors, I attended workshops, devoured books, entered a contest, and even spent three months crafting a book proposal. Like many aspiring authors, I faced rejection. I was told my book carried different themes and that I should split it into three separate works, when I hadn’t even finished one. As someone who always double-checks decisions with my intuition, I tuned in for guidance. What I had felt as criticism, my strong inner voice now confirmed as truth. Completely discouraged, I threw in the towel. I stopped writing, and only months later, I found the strength to put my content into different folders and to start out once more.

One Chapter Changed Everything

Then, something wonderful happened. I came across a call from She Rises Studios, searching authors for their anthology She Stands Strong: Thirty Stories of Strength and Resilience. My book was still far from being finished, but a single chapter? That seemed possible. I hit the bottom to apply, not knowing that this little step would make my wildest dreams become true.

The Power of Collaboration and Shared Courage

Writing the chapter for She Stands Strong allowed me to share valuable insights about intuition on an international scale. But that was not all. I also met incredible women whose courage and authenticity inspired me deeply. My creative wings returned, and within some months, I wrote the chapters for six more anthologies, participated in two summits, a project called HerStory and started writing articles. Together, with She Rises Studios and my co-authors, we could celebrate not only the success of She Stands Strong but also of Becoming an Unstoppable Woman: The Rise of the Phenix, I Rise Up, EmpowerHer, UnleashHer, She Wins, and Letters to Him - all of which became international Amazon bestsellers.

As Adriana Carlos Luna, co-founder of She Rises Studios, beautifully said: “We’re always stronger together.”

I couldn’t agree more.

A Woman’s Creative Journey Has Its Own Rhythm

After years of struggling with my solo book, I’ve come to believe that the writing journey looks different for women. We carry multiple roles. As mothers, partners, professionals, caretakers, our energy and focus are constantly divided. Our “why” is strong, but our “how” can easily feel impossible.

The truth is: you don’t have to do it alone.

Collaboration gave me courage. Community restored my discipline. Connection reignited my inspiration.

Simply Write

Today, I believe that writing, doesn’t need to start with a 300-page book. It can begin small with a written reflection, a post, journaling, a contribution to a blog, some notes for a podcast, a conference, a summit. It can be an article or a chapter. No matter. Simply write.

So, if you’ve been feeling stuck or discouraged, take one small step. Join a writing or author circle, say yes to a collaboration, write a single paragraph.

Little steps move mountains.

Slowly but surely, your dream and heart wish will get realized.

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