A Word of Thanks

If all goes according to plan, the e-book version should be out by the end of this week. The trade paperback will take longer because I have to purchase a proof copy to review before it can be made available to the general public. But we’re getting there.

And I’d like to pause and thank everyone who’s helped me to get to this point. My parents, who’ve read all the novels I’ve written since the time I was sixteen until now. And of course, my husband. I never would have been able to come this far without him.

Then there are those ladies who gave me invaluable feedback by reading my rough drafts: Nikki, Sarah, Lisa, Katie, and Casey. I truly appreciate the time that you put into reading through it and using that red pen to help me make it better.

Also, I want to thank Jody at Christian Graphic Solutions for help with designing and creating a book cover. What is a novel without a cover?

And to all of you who have taken the time to ask how this project is going, to reply to my blog, or to drop me a line of encouragement, I never would have continued chasing this dream without your support.

Thanks to everyone who has walked this journey with me. A new adventure is about to begin.

Almost There

Hopefully within the next week or two, I’ll have my novel available for purchase through Amazon.  Hopefully.  I’m still finalizing details with the graphic designer on the book cover and I’m finishing up the editing and formatting.  Since I have no idea what I’m doing, prayers would be appreciated.

I’m excited in some ways, anxious in others.  This isn’t the way I dreamed it.  I had hoped for the stamp of approval from a traditional publisher, who would have then taken care of all the extraneous details of book covers, formatting, and advertising.  And I would have earned enough royalties to sit at home and write the next book.

But seldom does life work out the way we dream it.  This is the next best thing.  At least this novel won’t sit in a dusty box, unread, like the others I’ve written.  At least there will be the opportunity for people to read it.

And so I am excited about sharing it, just anxious that I won’t format it properly or no one will want to read it.  But I keep reminding myself that God told me to write when I had decided I would never write again.  He gave me this story, so He must have a plan for it.  And for me.

I’ll keep you posted.

Let's Do It

Last summer, I was inspired to write a novel and within three months it was all on paper.  All of my life there have been a million good reasons—and just as many bad excuses—why I couldn’t succeed as a writer.  Now it’s time to do something.  This is the era of the Indie Author, and I may as well jump on the band wagon. 

I’ve decided to publish through Amazon Kindle.  I’m working with a graphic design artist on a book cover, and I hope to have it available for purchase very soon.  Now, if you are like me and prefer a paper copy, please let me know as I am in the process of making the decision about doing that as well. (Yes, for those who remember, I did enter my novel into a contest.  But the winner isn’t announced until February, and I don’t really expect to win.)

All I know is that it’s time to do something.  I’m tired of sitting still and dreaming.  I’m tired of listening to the voice in my head that reminds that every time I’ve ever tried anything, I’ve failed.  Maybe so.  But maybe this time will be different.  Maybe not.  At least I will know I tried.

When I was in college, I wrote about an artist whom I described as lacking that “final burst of courage” necessary for him to succeed.  And as I wrote it, having a moment of self-revelation.  That was me. 

I don’t believe you can force open a door that God has held closed, and it’s important to remember that it might be closed for a reason.  Timing is everything.  But now I feel that I’m being urged forward.  Last year I prayed for the story and God gave it to me.  Now I am praying for it to have a life of its own. 

I’ll never know if I can succeed as a writer if I never produce that final burst of courage.  And so I’m going to prayerfully move forward and see what God has in store for me.

My One and Only Life

On my birthday this year, I attended a funeral.  But it actually wasn’t a bad way to spend the afternoon as the man whose life was being celebrated had used his time on earth wisely.  Birthdays and funerals are both great opportunities to reflect on one’s life.  On how it’s been spent and on the direction it’s headed.

I’ve had birthdays with smaller numbers that have made me sad, not because of the age itself, but because of where I was in the journey.  This year (although the number isn’t my favorite) I feel good about where I am in life.  Prayers have been answered.  Healing has come.  Hope is alive.  I’m grateful.

I’m grateful for God’s work in my life, for never giving up and leaving me where I was.  I’m grateful for a loving, supportive husband, and for a sweet and precious daughter.

To quote Holly from the movie, P.S. I Love You: “This is my one and only life. And it's a great and terrible and short and endless thing, and none of us come out of it alive.”  

The Colburn Camping Fiasco

 They don’t call it Bugs Island Lake for nothing.  While on our camping trip, we saw a poisonous Cottonmouth snake, a harmless Garter snake eating a frog, a poisonous centipede, and a Velvet Ant known as the “Cattle Killer” for the pain of its sting.  I also assisted the Park Ranger in catching a cat mauled during the night by a larger animal. 

We had a beautiful lakeside camping site, and we enjoyed swimming with the little minnows that darted away from our feet as we waded into the water.  Unfortunately, in addition to the numerous other items we forgot to pack, I neglected to bring my camera.  I did snap a few shots with my phone, but since it died, I can’t access them.  So, I’ve included a picture from our July camping trip.

We chose to take the old car, because camping is a dirty business and we wanted to keep the new car clean.  However, we should have unpacked it and jumped into the Honda when the Ford began making odd noises as we pulled out of the street.  By the time we reached our campground four hours away, a new problem had developed.  And ironically, the cause of our breakdown on the way home was an entirely different issue.

And so our camping trip had a rather exciting conclusion as we spent more than three hours on the side of 495 near Alexandria, Virginia during rush hour traffic waiting for a tow truck.  I’m going to assume that most of the drivers who passed thought we had pulled over to walk the dog.  Out of hundreds, five cars did stop to offer water, gas, or any other help we might need.

The delay was caused by a tow truck driver who thought he could take advantage of our situation and charge cash for taking more than one passenger.  But he picked the wrong man to try that trick on, and eventually a different driver was sent out. 

We concluded our vacation week with a visit to Six Flags on Friday.  Ben and I rode every roller coaster in the park except one.  I took two Aleve for my neck to counteract the trauma as we entered the park.  Three nights of sleeping on an air mattress had already left it in rotten shape.  Grace refused to ride the coasters, but she enjoyed some other rides. 

Despite all the crazy bugs and the break down, we still had a good vacation.

Now, just a few days left until school starts…  I hate to see summer come to an end.

Lovin' the Summertime

 

If you’re going to be a Colburn, you have to enjoy water sports.  It’s non-negotiable.  Ben’s favorite is the wake board, I’m finally mastering the combo skis, and Grace enjoys the tube.  Last weekend, she even tried out the knee board (unfortunately I didn’t get a good picture).  Even Jake enjoys being out on the boat. 

 

It’s been a good summer in our new home.  Grace has enjoyed quiet time to read, play, and create, and Jake has enjoyed the playground by the river.  He gets excited every time he sees a slide!  We’ve been camping, visited the beach and the zoo, and enjoyed several excursions on the boat with Ben’s family.  Our last event for the summer is another camping trip scheduled for next week. 

This week, Grace is on a vacation without me so I’m planning to use the time to format my novel to meet the requirements for the contest hosted by The Christian Writer’s Guild for unpublished authors.  The prize is a publishing contract.  I know I probably have better odds of winning the lottery, but it’s worth a shot.  The only contest I’ve ever won was guessing how many M&M’s were in a glass jar (surprising, I know). 

 

Please pray that if it’s God’s will I would win this contract, and if not, that I would know how to get my novel into the right hands. 

You can also pray for dry weather next week.  I don’t think we’ve EVER been on a camping trip when it didn’t rain!  And camping in the rain isn’t my favorite thing to do.  I’m a fan of the sunshine. 

Chicken-Nickers

For those who may have wondered, I’m still alive.  I just fell off the grid for a little while.  Over the last month and a half I have officially become the mother of a middle-schooler (how did that happen?!), completely moved to the Eastern Shore (we owned the house for over a month before moving so that Grace could finish the school year), and my Pit Bull has decided he should be allowed to do anything the cats can do (and he’s now about half my body weight). 

I’ve learned that there are two kinds of people in Centreville: those who were born on the Eastern Shore, and those who weren’t.  Since I’m from “the other side of the bridge,” I’m known locally as a “chicken-nicker.”  The name derives from the incompetence of Western Shore folk who crab using fishing rods and chicken necks instead of troll lines.  Add that hometown accent and instead of a “chicken-necker,” you’ve got “chicken-nicker.”  Go figure.

I’ve finally wrapped up all my loose ends on the other side of the bridge, unpacked all my boxes, and am trying to focus on training the dog, enjoying time with Grace, and working on my writing again.  I’m seven chapters deep into Book Two, and am still praying for God to open a door for publishing Book One and blessing my writing ministry.  I feel just as strongly as ever that this is the mission He has given me.

We love our new little house and our quiet little “Mayberry” town.  Walking the dog for miles a day to wear him out and encourage good behavior is a lot more enjoyable when you‘re surrounded by beautiful historic homes and a view of the Corsica River to inspire the imagination.  Church bells ring out marking every hour and every half past, and one of the bell towers plays a hymn twice a day.  The Farmer’s Market sells fresh produce, local meat, and even wine, every Wednesday and Saturday at the town square outside the 18^th century courthouse on my walking route. 

And everybody I meet knows exactly where my address is and says, “Welcome to Centreville!”  Even the customers in the line behind me at the Walgreens when I’m filling out my application for a rewards card.  “Oh, you bought one of those new houses just behind the library.  Your neighbor’s my aunt, and my cousin Joe cuts her lawn…” 

It’s a small town.  I like it.