It all started when my family arrived home one evening last week and found an adult eastern box turtle sitting in the middle of our driveway. Worried he’d end up getting squished, I jumped out of the vehicle and placed him near a small pond I had built earlier this past spring. My daughter, in her usual fashion, quickly named the turtle Charlie, and it soon became a saying to, “Check for Charlie,” under the cars before driving anywhere.

Skip ahead to last night. I dreamt of turtles. In the dream, I kept encountering turtles everywhere I walked, most of them super cute baby turtles that had only recently hatched. The entire dream was based around making sure they were safe. I’m sure by now, you’re asking why this occurrence warranted a post, so let me explain further. I didn’t remember the dream at all until I was sitting on my porch during this morning’s rainy start to the day and halfway into a nice hot cuppa. When it came to mind, suddenly, I knew without any doubt, Charlie was watching me at that very moment. And sure enough, I turned my swivel chair towards the woods and there he was standing at the edge of the tree line watching me!

Charlie and I continued to stare at one another for a good twenty minutes, during which I remembered my manners and asked how his morning was and if he was enjoying the pond I’d built. He didn’t run for the hills, so I took it as a good sign he was enjoying life and our one way conversation. Eventually, Charlie meandered down closer to the woods and out of my sight. They say seeing turtles is a sign to persevere, and as I attempt to be patient while going through the querying process for my debut novel, I cannot help but take the lesson to heart.

I’ve heard it said it’s normal for writers to receive many rejections before that first manuscript request. I’ve only been querying for a week, and many agents are back-logged after the Labor Day weekend here in the States, so I know there’s a long road ahead of me. The reminder to preserve as I wait for the perfect agent to come along, request the full manuscript, and fall in love with my novel is one I’ll be keeping on the forefront of my mind. Thank you, Charlie!