Psalm 27:13-14: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
I felt overwhelmed. Have you ever met a career woman who seemed as if she had it all together, or a woman who made motherhood look easy?
Spend a day in the life of an author. It’s definitely not easy. You would be amazed what it takes for us to stay relevant in the industry: posting daily promotions on various online sites, answering emails, strategizing the next book while trying to finish the current project. Plus, coming up with a topic for two monthly blog posts, such as this one. I felt God wanted me to speak from the heart. Add to this mix, my first solo author event in a few weeks—PRESSURE.
Before a book is published, an author has to research the topic, write a draft, tweak it before it goes to an editor, re-write scenes that don’t work per the editor, tweak it again then send it to the proofreader. Once the final adjustments are corrected, it’s off to a formatter. For a cover, my preference is to have it created before or during the writing process. If not, I have to scan pages of stock photos to find the right models that I hope will convey the story’s message.
By the end of 2016, I was recovering from multiple degenerative discs in my neck where the pain was radiating down my arm. It was so severe that my writing was limited to a couple of hours a day, if I could endure the pain. My writing deadlines were constantly being extended.
Throughout this period, God didn’t forsake me as I pledged to praise Him through the pain. My comfort was Scriptures where Jesus healed ailments and the soul. So the last four months were challenging to say the least.
With 2017 fast approaching, I had to create my writing lineup. I had planned for my next novel to be book nine in the Jamieson Legacy series—THE VERDICT. I began to question what was the spiritual significance, and the message, besides a great Christian love story and history lesson.
Although writing is a ministry, ministering to God’s people was the priority—praying for the sick and afflicted, fasting, visiting the sick, attending funerals, etc. Should I walk away from writing?
Then the Lord spoke to my spirit, “It’s time. There’s a message in this story, someone is hurting…” I pulled out the proposal of THE CAREGIVERS from five years earlier, and re-read my former agent’s notes about the proposal. Her thoughts:
This is SUPER cute! Very sweet. I love the idea…it’s just a simple romance but I think a lot of readers will resonate with the caregiving factor. So yes, you’re on the right track. 🙂
1. Oh I LOVE how you give Tabitha a flaw right up front.
2. Again, I love how you drive her flaw home with the scene with all the smoke in the kitchen.
3.I love the idea of Marcus …Very sweet!
4. Oh I LOVE how this is going to end!
Wow, this was confirmation that this story needed to be told. Thank you, Jesus for speaking to me, because I would have fainted, I would have quit, and created a void in the writing ministry.
So readers, please pray for me, and authors in the Christian fiction. This is a labor for the Lord, and without your prayers and support, we would faint unless we see God’s goodness. Look for THE MYSTERY WOMAN, Book 1 of The Caregivers series, coming soon. Join the Wait. https://goo.gl/forms/2nhShO88cRINzVX83