One More Step

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is here and gone! But I accomplished another step with my book. I took the CD to Kinkos and had them print and bind two copies. One copy I mailed to my daughter to edit and the other is packed in my backpack for my trip west to edit.
My goal is to complete an outline by January 15th and submit places by Jan. 30. I find if I give myself a deadline - I invaribly make it.

I am currently working on a Christmas story for a book next year - if it gets accepted. The chances are always slim but nothing ventured nothing gained. The exciting reward of writing is with a click of my email - I could have a new surprise.

Today I saw the edit of my story in the book due out soon called Everyday Grace, Everyday Miracles by Lorna Owen. There were some changes but overall I can live with the edits. I have learned that an editor usually is pretty good at what they do. Unless they totally trash it - or change the meaning - I go with it.

Is it Wednesday already?

The week has been a blur. Though I must say, I have made some gains. I submitted a piece to an online magazine RidersnReapers.com and was accepted within hours. Look for North Flat in the January issue.

I also submitted a Christmas story to a contest. Now I am not too good with them but this one was free - and who knows? Someone has to win. Finally - I edited about 6 stories in two days. I really enjoy doing that as I learn so much about how others write and what I like to read.

Speaking of reading- I am reading another Nicholas Sparks book. Love his style. They always leave you weeping for more.

I received the first few chapters of the book Everyday Grace, Everyday Miracle - awesome words - should be an awesome book. I can't wait to see my story in it. Look for it around Christmas time!

Dog Faced Dawson

I was pleasantly surprised this past week again to learn my story about my third grade teacher was accepted in a Faithwriters' book to come out this spring. What was unexpected and strange was the story I wrote was about a very embarrassing moment in my life - wetting my pants in class. Ugh! I feared telling that story for decades. The moment I did - I found that so many other people related to having similar experiences during their school years.

I would love to hear your experiences during those precious school aged years. My husband shared a story where a little girl in his class was always throwing up. One day she had a particularily bad time of it. The teacher struggled to help her but the smell was so bad - three more children threw up too! My husband was one of them:)

We just returned from a weekend away to beautiful Tallahasse - and our first Florida State game. We stayed in Thomasville, Georgia - a quant town with lots of history!

Praises

I opened my mailbox today to find a check from a publisher I sent a story to back in August. Now it wasn't a whole lot, but even if it was only $1, it is still an encouragement.

It seems as though whenever I get discouraged, God gives me a gentle nudge to keep on writing. Yes, I have my growing list of rejections, but it is a wonderful feeling when I get to add to my list of acceptances~

So if you get Brave Hearts magazine this quarter, look for my story about a tornado in it. My in- laws lived through the loss and devastation of coming home and finding their farmhouse torn apart in minutes. Worse than the damage to the house was the loss of many huge trees that had been planted during the Civil War. Each time we visit, it is a joy to see the new trees slowly take their part in history.

Backyard Belief

I wanted to post this story. (Click on the title, please) It has special meaning to me as it is about a woman who made an amazing difference in my life. She played one of the biggest roles in my growth as a Christian. She shared her relationship with Jesus to everyone she knew in a way that one could accept it and not be put off.

I was one of those people - one who had lost all fellowship with believers. Her mentoring encouraged me to join with a church and eventually my family all became Christians. Her legacy lives on through so many lives. I doubt people like her have a clue how they can change lives by the many small gestures they make.

Imagine if we all were an 'Aunt Barb?'