I love the dancing words that fill a book.

I love the mini-escape; I love it for the multiple lives I get to ‘live’ vicariously through.

I read to connect with the characters. Whether I become the victim or the villain of the story, for a short period of time, their stories suddenly become my story.

Each story is unique and each story tells a different tale. It doesn't matter what genre.

Being a lover of love, any genre gets better with a little bit of love smushed between the pages. Preferably the love stories where the girl gets the guy and there is a happily ever after involved.

And you know what the coolest thing about that scenario is? In stories, a happily ever after ending is possible. In fact, any ending is possible.

See, with each book I get to take that journey with each character and each turn of the page.

Whether the story is predictable or not, the journey is also worth the ride.

And as soon as I turn that last page, all the loose ties are usually tied up. No more questions asked. But it doesn't mean I don't have questions about where the character's stories are now.

So what happens after the book?

We are all currently writing a book--that's the story of our lives. And without a doubt it is interesting.

It is intriguing.

It is powerful.

It is lonely at times, full of love in the next chapter, and sometimes it doesn't have such a happy ending. But with each word we should be embracing the way our lives are unfolding. All the good and the bad.

I have read other stories. I have cried, I have laughed and I have loved.

That’s the cool thing about literature. I can live another life.

However, this current life is what we should all be focusing on.

We may not have power over our core story, but we all have the power to turn the page and fill it with new words, fresh ink.

I encourage you to bookmark the moments.

All the sad moments.

All the moments of love.

All the life-changing moments.

All the moments you never want to forget.

Bookmark them all.

Maybe you’ll be lying awake one of those nights where your thoughts never stop racing. Pick up that book, your book, and embrace all of it.

And although others can get something out of your story, only you understand it all. You have felt every moment and experienced life different than everyone else.

Don’t be afraid of your story. Don’t be afraid of what has made you who you are. Don’t be afraid of the differences that lie within others stories.

Just keep writing.