Writing has truly been a journey in my life and not an event. When I began writing two years ago, I had no idea what to expect. I would many times stop in the midst of a chapter and ask my self, "Will anyone actually read this?" I didn't know what steps to take if and when the book was actually finished. I had music that had been copyrighted and published, but I had never published a book. I was not even sure how to begin. I often wondered if it was a huge waste of time as I spent hundreds of hours researching, writing, editing, and re-writing. However, something in me kept pushing me forward in the midst of all of my uncertainties.
I have been asked numerous times if I experienced 'writer's block'. I can honestly say I never did. Many times I would have no idea what direction the story would take until I actually began writing a new chapter. And there were several times I would have to go back to earlier chapters and make changes to line them with what would unfold in the plot later; but I never reached a place that I didn't know where to go from that point. I know there was a 'Presence' leading me.
My biggest struggle was weighing between two opinions of ending my novel. Those of you that have read it will well understand why. I wanted truth of what will someday be, to impact the reader and remain in their heart as a signpost of being diligent to share the salvation message while we still labor in the harvest. Time is short and night will soon come.
I prayed for guidance and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the processes of writing, editing, and publishing. I am now in the arena of marketing. Even though that was my career for 35 years, it is very different when you are marketing a product someone else has created. Marketing your own 'baby' is an entirely different emotion. The publisher tells me, as a new author, I must use all potential avenues of promotion keeping it before the public's eyes. To be honest, I sometimes feel it balances on the edge of vanity, and that is the last message I want to send with a Christian novel.
It has been amazing to watch social media share my book to all continents. I have been humbled by contacts from those seeing the shares on FB and purchasing it through various book websites. The responses have been touching and lives have been ministered to by various spiritual elements of the content. When I hear the words 'I couldn't put it down', it is like music to an author's ears.
Through the Goodreads.com website, a book critic from Australia marked my book to be read and reviewed. I have since been in communication with him and I am both excited and a little nervous to hear his professional opinion. He has a few books already lined up before mine, but I will keep you posted on the outcome.
On this beautiful snowy day I will be continuing the journey of the second book in this trilogy that will take the reader into the seven years of tribulation. I see the current events in the world lining up even as I write. I wonder, will there be time to finish?
Maranatha, my friends.
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