Destination Publication

In 2004 I retired from my full time job as a school principal. Within a few months I was convinced that God wanted me to write books for children.

It has been a long thirteen years of learning, writing, waiting, and then doing it all again and again. As a matter of fact, I’m still doing it.

When I started this journey I had no idea there was so much to learn about writing for publication. I remembered all of those As on high school writing assignments. And I thought I was a pretty good writer.

I laugh now at the visions of book deals and royalty checks that danced in my head the first few years.

I also remember the months of discouragement and frustration that came and went year after year.

I appreciate now the lessons of persistence, patience and practice that kept me going.

• Persistence because I had a sure conviction that this is what God wanted me to do, and that He had a plan for me. Deep down I believed I could do it—someday.
• Patience because of the encouragement of friends, family, and other writers and editors that said I had something worth cultivating.
• Practice (and practice and practice) because I could see small steps of growth and improvement in my skills myself. I saw small successes that made me hungry for whatever blessings God had ahead for me.

Signing my first contract with a traditional publisher is rewarding. I’m excited to dig into the work ahead of revising and compromising, marketing and even the world of social networking.

I know that “success” (aka publication) is never insured. It will come one book at a time. One story at a time. One idea at a time. I pray God will continue to polish the creativity and communication skills He blessed me with, and continue to encourage me as I try to honor Him with the small gifts He has shared with me.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. I hope you enjoy my occasional updates on the progress of the first two books in the Thank You, God series.

Thank you, Little Lamb Books, for believing in these books and giving me this opportunity.