To my ten-year-old self, here are a few tips...
Number one
Don't worry about modesty. I mean, okay, don't go running around being an idiot, and if Mom tells you to do something (or wear something), you should do it. But some day you're going to model for the life-drawing class in college, and though that might seem awkward, it's actually really cool...and the pay is keeping you alive. (Should I add an addendum on saving money or can you figure that out on your own?)
Number two
You're probably missing your friends. Transferring to a new school has a tendency to produce that side effect. But, and not to be a downer, you're not really going to be talking to those kids much in the future anyway. The few you keep in touch with you're probably better off forgetting...though I will say you should be nicer to Kelsey, but that's a whole 'nother ball of crazy. And no, you're not going to make many friends at the new place, or the next one, and the one after that you'll have some good times, but time goes on and people just drift apart...you probably already know that you're the awkward one socially. Making friends is hard. But the ones you do make and manage to keep are amazing, and well worth the wait. The rest? You can write about them in your first novel.
Number three
Have you already taken that stupid dare? You've just cemented yourself as the weird new transfer student. But that's okay. Some people can't handle your awesome. Some people are snobs that really aren't worth your time, no matter how 'popular' they might be. So keep on taking dares, keep making bets. Because you might be telling the world how strange you are. But you're also telling them that you're fearless, and you have nothing to hide.
Number four
The only thing Allie is good for is getting you into romance novels. Okay, so maybe she's good for nothing after all. But when you meet her, and no, I won't tell you when that is, don't shy away. She may be crazy...but a little crazy is going to help you become the multi-faceted and intense person you are. And again, you can add that crazy to your writing --trust me, it's a gold mine.
Number five
Piano is king. You're probably excited for the possibility of learning something other than a recorder --and you'll get to other things soon enough-- and that's a good thing. If you can, try to keep that excitement up. I know you get bored easily, but the piano is going to literally save your life some day. So keep it up.
Number six
Wait for happily ever after. Or rather, don't. I get it, I really do; Sleeping Beauty is STILL my favorite movie. But you can't live your life expecting the fairy tale to just show up. Not at sixteen, not at eighteen, not at twenty-one...and not at twenty-six, either. Happily ever after is not a guarantee for you to actually be HAPPY. You have to make your own happy. And it's going to be a struggle. But though you might not know it, you have so much support coming at you from so many directions. Think you're going to fall down? I guarantee there's someone close to help you back up.
And finally, smart girl, don't be such a slacker. You're better than that.
And some day, you're going to rule the world.
Cheers.
