It was a modest book, sitting in the lowest shelf of the quietest corner of the dusty old bookstore. It was hidden behind at least five other such modest books, boasting no spectacular cover or raving reviews. Perhaps, if someone influential and acclaimed enough happened to come across the book, it would receive an ounce of recognition. But that wasn’t what the book was waiting for.

It waited for someone else. Someone who often searched the lowest shelves of quiet corners of dusty old bookstores. Someone who would seek the book out. Or maybe, it would be an accident. Maybe she’d trip on some imaginary memory and maybe the book would nudge the others in front of it with just enough force that they topple over. And maybe, there would be an invisible string binding reader and story together, and they’d finally feel the taut string relax. Maybe she’ll feel their connection, feel compelled to pick up the book and read it from cover to cover.

Need I say more? I have been that girl, and I hope you will be too, one day.

I’ve been the book. More times than I can account for. I hope you never feel like a book sitting silently in some dusty old bookstore. Do not tell yourself that there is a sort of charm to that experience. I hope you are easy to laugh and quick to love. I pray you exist loudly and messily, that you are not to be found or discovered or saved, but experienced and understood and heard and misheard and forgotten and admired and remembered and felt and valued. If by no other than yourself. If by no other, then yourself.

You are not a modest book—do not forget this. Your stories will fill the brightest, tallest shelves of the most pristine centers of the world. Reach out and claim the recognition and stardom with your own hands. I will not judge. And you should not hesitate. Do not let anyone tell you different.

And I hope one day, you and I can sit quietly, hand in hand, and exchange our manuscripts, rough around the edges, ink smeared and faded. And just exist until we return to the stars that we are meant to reach.