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First of all, how does a person who hated reading and writing in school become an author? I have no idea! I guess that’s the most exciting part about this journey. I really do feel that it's not by my will or my power that I am doing this. I feel God has given me stories that deal with hard issues, internal struggles, and tragedies that are very much a part of our world. I don’t know why it is He’s given them to me, a C- student, but I stopped asking the why’s a few years ago and started typing instead. That's how I began.
I think the desire to write came out of a newfound enjoyment of reading. As my kids got older, I found I had a little more time for myself. Though, I love all kinds of crafts like scrapbooking, card making, and making jewelry, I wanted to find something I could do out in the sun, on the patio, enjoying the beautiful environment that we live in. So, I picked up a book at the Hume Lake Gift Shop. That’s where it started. I became an avid reader, latching on to such authors as Francine Rivers, Dee Henderson and Terri Blackstock. Soon, I added Karen Kingsbury, Lori Wick, and Kristen Heitzmann to the list. After several years of this, I started to wonder if I would be able to write a story that would interest readers to the very end. This idea grew over time. My first true attempt at writing came in 2003.
I quietly began to work on my first novel. I wasn't convinced I'd be able to develop plots and characters deep enough to fill an entire novel, so I kept it to myself until my first book was almost completed. When my husband won a trip to Hawaii and I realized I'd be away from my computer for a week, I finally confessed to him what I was doing and arranged to borrow a friend's laptop so I could continue writing while we were gone. I know, I know, I’m on my way to Hawaii for the first time and I’m allowing myself to be distracted by a book that will probably be nothing more than a fun memory to share with my kids. What can I say? I just knew I would have so much free time with no house to clean, no work to do, no dishes to wash, no school to teach, I just couldn’t imagine not taking advantage of the early mornings and late evenings.
I finished A Pearl at What Price in 2003. I remember feeling embarrassed when I gave it to one of my best friends to read. She and I had read numerous books together and enjoyed all the same authors, so I knew I'd be up against some stiff competition. I had no idea what she'd think of it and waited patiently for her critique. She loved it! She was very excited about it and gave me nothing but encouragement.
I decided to open myself up for harsher criticism. Norm Rohrer, the founder of the Christian Writer’s Guild, lived just a few streets from me. I swallowed my pride, explained to him that I had written a novel and asked if he'd be willing to read over my manuscript. I told him I would appreciate any evaluation or advice he could offer me. He agreed graciously, and so I waited again to see what someone else would say. Norm was very gracious in his critique and encouraged me to continue. It was at that time that I allowed others to know I was a closet author and had finished a book. A co-worker of mine told me about a writing contest being held by the Christian Writer’s Guild for first time authors, so I figured I’d give it a shot.
As I waited for the announcement, Bob Phillips, a friend and gifted writer that lives at Hume Lake, heard I had written a book. He congratulated me and I thought somehow he misunderstood and thought I had won the contest. When I corrected him, he in turn corrected me. He told me that congratulations were in order because I had finished something not many people do in life. He told me that countless people start books but few actually finish them. It was a very encouraging moment. By the time the contest announcement was made in February of 2004, I was well on my way writing the sequel. Of course, I didn’t win. I didn’t even get an honorable mention. But that was okay. I loved what I was doing and my friends encouraged me not to stop, They were anxiously waiting to see what was going to happen next in the lives of the characters in Pearl at What Price.
That’s how I got started. By fall of 2005 I'd finished seven books, Full Disclosure being the fourth. I'm working on a menagerie of stories at the present time, praying that one day they too will make their way into publication.
Bob Phillips was pivotal in getting my book to the desk of Evergreen Press. After he saw his daughter staying up late one night reading one of my books, he decided to see what he could do to help. Bob read my book between his own deadlines, a trip to Bolivia, and a very full schedule. He did this out of his desire to encourage me as a new writer. I will be forever grateful for his help and suppor.
Full Disclosure released in 2006, followed by Abandoned Identity in 2007, and Criminal Obsession in 2008.
So, what’s next? I can honestly say, I don’t know. I'd love for this to become a career and to see my other books in print one day, but all I can do is wait and pray. I will continue to write, regardless of publication. It's so exciting seeing characters l've created and cultivated come to life, endure struggles, and discover the faithfulness of God. I also have a very faithful following of friends that continue to encourage me.
I think it is ironic that the first store that was allowed to carry Full Disclosure was the Hume Lake Gift Shop, the place I first picked up a book for my own enjoyment. Of course, nothing is ironic. It's just another way that God puts His fingerprints on our lives to let us know He is there and active, always working on behalf of His children.♥
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