Broken Basking

I was doing what every writer likes to do - take a much deserved break and lay out on the lounge on the patio with the newpaper, the latest AAA magazine and Budget Travel spread out around me. Of course, the sun has to be heating up my legs. It was. Then the unexpected visitor broke my peaceful reverie.

My husband never believes me that the black snake that lives behind our home is long...longer than he thinks. I had close up proof today as I laid there stretched out in my SCREENED in patio. I glanced to my right. It glanced back at me from a mere six inches. I never reached the door faster. I grabbed my camera after slamming the door and peered back at my once little oasis- now in ruin. The snake was enjoying full reign on my porch. I snappped a few pictures and can't wait to show my bragging rights tonight at dinner.

The hoe helped me get the intruder back to the wild where he belongs. I would have preferred to have ended his jaunt right then and there but a voice (my husband's) echoed in my brain somewhere that these snakes eat lizards. Since there are more lizards on my back patio than snakes...he was destined to live another day.

Moving Forward

Last week was pretty eventful for me as a writer. I try to remember I am moving forward especially in the weeks when I feel nothing is happening. I was involved in a conference call with people from nine countries. That alone was awesome. I heard voices of authors I know only through e-mail. The book coming out by Christmas is called Everyday Grace, Everyday Miracles and will be a compilation of stories by many ladies and one man. I pray that it will touch people everywhere. My story in it is called One Foot Forward. It is the story about the time God reached out to me through a single card, arriving in my mailbox at the perfect time when I was scheduled for three breast biopsies.

Last Monday, I got an email saying that a major publisher was interested in a story I sent in. I about fell over - and I pray that they will use it in the final cut. If they don't- yes, I'll be disappointed - but I am thankful someone saw merit in one of my stories. That alone gives me hope.

Persevere

Last night, as I checked my e-mail as usual before I headed to bed - I about fell off my chair when I read the caption of the latest mail. A story I sent out a few weeks ago is being considered for an anthology at a very popular publishing house! My goal had been to be accepted there and now I am very close. I am so thankful to have even gotten this far. It is amazing what God can do in a person's life.
I knew that this site gets at least 100 submissions a day so I sent at least seven in a two day period. I feel blessed to have one considered to be good enough for this book. The story is about the times we want to be there to protect our children but can't - because they grow older and have to go out on their own but our fear for their well -being remains.
I also have my conference call Thursday night with people from all over the world. I bought a phone card as my cell always shuts down so now to plan my blurb and bio.

A Dime Day

I can't believe so much time has passed since my last post. I have returned from a wonderful vacation away in CA. Loved the Palm Springs area - could it be my next home?

Yesterday was an incredible day...I finished - did you hear...I FINISHED my rough draft! All 200 pages of it! Now for the EDIT FUN.

Then, later on, I got an e-mail from a place that accepted a story of mine for a Miracle book due out before the holidays! There will be a huge promotion of it- book signings and all. Several of my writer friends got accepted as well. We will be on a conference call next week. Pretty exciting stuff- we'll see how it plays out.

Now- off to the dreaded dentist appt.