FINALLY!

It hasn't been easy, but it's finally ready to go! You can purchase the paperback at my E-store Createspace and by the middle of next week it should also be available on Amazon.com. The e-book is available now at Amazon.

Tenacity is the Word of the Day

This is my Determined face. Can you feel it? (Nikki, this one's for you.)

Publishing to Kindle was easy. But formatting my novel to print through Create Space has been a lesson in perseverance. I’ve been meditating on Winston Churchill’s words of wisdom: “Success is the ability to move from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” I’ve definitely struggled with enthusiasm, but at least remained doggedly tenacious.

The first proof copy of my novel revealed a need for changes to both the cover design and interior format. I have now completed those changes (after much hair-pulling and a few tears) and am ordering a second proof copy. If it doesn’t reveal any other major flaws, the paperback will be out by next week.

Nothing EVER happens according to my timeframe. EVER. Maybe there’s a reason for it, like some secret supernatural reason. Or maybe it’s just life and another opportunity to practice perseverance. Either way, here I am, still working at it.

The Journey

You may have heard me talk about how writing brings me joy, but you may not have realized how difficult this journey has been for me. The creative process is the part that makes me feel at peace, like I’m doing exactly what I was made to do. After that, the demons attack.

The journey of completing this novel, of surrendering it to friends for proof-reading and criticism, and the idea of letting everyone read it has been emotionally exhausting. At every turn, I’ve had to fight back the voices of the past that were loud with criticism and quiet when it came to encouragement. I’ve had to fight my own insecurities that tell me I have nothing to offer, and the voice of experience reminding me that I’ve never succeeded before.

It hasn’t been an easy road to travel. Two years ago I swore I would never write again. But I truly believe that this is what God has created me for and prepared me to do. Timing is indeed everything. And the hardest part of the journey begins now, as I must follow through on what I’ve begun.

Just formatting the document for the paperback version has been a test of my resolve. Now I must find a way to increase awareness of my novel’s existence to the world. And juggle all of life’s demands and still find time to finish writing book 2.

But the God who has led me this far will not forget me now. And words cannot express how grateful I am for the people who haven’t let me give up along the way, who’ve pushed and encouraged and prayed for me.

Please keep it up!

It's Here!

I am excited to announce that the e-book version of my novel is now available on Kindle! You can purchase it here: Amazon

The trade paperback won’t be completed for a few more weeks, but I’m working on that and will post an update as soon as it becomes available. It’s been a bit of a nightmare. Prayers are welcomed.

“Through Every Valley” is Book I in the series “Of Wind and Sky”

Description:

In one horrible instant, the course of her life was changed forever. She would never trust again.

Vivian Lawson came to Wyoming because it was her husband’s wish. But the discovery of his true nature leaves her bitterly determined to never trust a man again. And his sudden and timely death leaves her widowed on the western frontier, burdened by betrayal and guilt.

As swiftly as a ship sinks to the ocean floor, everything that mattered most to him was stripped away.

Rob Hudson returned to Annapolis, Maryland after years of fighting to preserve the Union and set the slaves free. But when the pursuit of his dreams leads only to loss and disappointment, Rob sets out on a westward adventure that will test his courage and reshape his character.

Sometimes the paths of our lives take us into deep valleys or rushing rivers. But through it all, there is hope.

When their paths cross on the open prairie, a new journey begins. One which will demand that they confront the shadows of their pasts and dare to believe in a brighter future. Together they must learn to surrender their broken hearts to God and to trust Him with their deepest fears and dearest dreams.

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.