Becoming An Author

My writing life has took a turn for the very busy, so that's why the long silence.

My happy news is I have true stories in two book anthologies: "Love Is A Verb Devotional: 365 Inspirations To Bring Love Alive," by Gary Chapman, and "Celebrating Christmas With . . . Memories, Poetry, and Good Food," by Editor Donna Clark Goodrich.

Just this morning, I did a two minute interview with our local Christian radio station about the book signings. I didn't say, ummm, well, or any other nonsense thing.

Yesterday, I asked my writer's group about what to do instead of ummm and well. I like what Illustrator Siri had to say, "Pause for a moment to think, but not too long."

Half way into the interview, the announcer asked me, "What is your favorite recipe in the Christmas book?" He chuckled, probably realizing I hadn't the time to try the recipes yet.

I paused, looked down at my notes and my eyes fell on: Lisa's Fruit Cake recipe. I told him I don't like fruit cake, but Lisa [Harris] made it sound delicious and the recipe has some yummy ingredients. I said I planned to make that for Christmas.

Whew! I pulled that off, but did I? I prayed before I went on the air and asked God for his full armor upon me and to give me a peace that passes understanding. God did, and I had just warmed up to talk some more, when the announcer said my time was up.

Ahhh!

What's next for the two books? Right now, I am preparing for my first ever book signing at our local Christian book store this Sat, Dec. 17 from 1-3 p.m. at Evangel Family Book Store in Grants Pass, Oregon. There's a lot of work that goes into one of these events. I've made bookmarks, new business cards, and a hand out sheet that gives suggestions for helping folks get through the holidays after a loss.

I've already mailed posters to family and friends announcing the book signing. I'm sure I'll be fortunate to get a small crowd for the book signing. That's okay. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to learn how to market and promote my work.

Let's go back several months to when the editors contacted me about accepting my true stories for the book anthologies. I felt elated. It's the snowball effect, don't ya know, because after that I found more opportunities to write for anthologies. That's kept me writing, writing.

To top that off, my "Year Of Firsts" article that's been published in two online magazines, will now be in an E-book soon to be published by Open To Hope. Open To Hope is under the umbrella of Compassionate Friends International.

When I received the E-mail from the Open To Hope editor, I sat there pretty much stunned. Me, oh, my, how grateful am I!!!

The other projects I'm working on is the book proposal for YEAR OF FIRSTS DEVOTIONAL: GOD'S MERCIES OF A BROKEN MOTHER'S HEART. And a picture book for children about Goatee, the surfing goat. If you're curious about seeing Goatee surf, click the link above and watch the short clip on UTube. The young man, Dana, that owns Goatee was Joshua's best friend.

This has been a productive few months of writing, and it all began in early spring as my grieving mind, over my loss of Joshua, was beginning to unscramble.

Thank you, Lord!

Until next time . . . I write the stories that God gives to me.