Feeling Like An Author—Whatever That Feels Like

Giving birth to my third child, I finally felt like a mother. I still didn't know what I was doing, but I had three little ones running around the house, which proved I knew how to produce.

Well, it's taken three books for me to feel like an author. My first book seemed like a fluke, but it's now in its third printing. My second book arrived unexpectedly. Now We All Married Idiots: Three Things You'll Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten things You Can releases next month. I don't know what I'm doing, but I feel like an author—whatever that feels like.

I'm not sure how an author is supposed to feel, but here are my feelings:

I feel responsibility to speak and write truth. Words influence and I am responsible to represent Christ and be like Christ in every area of my life.

I feel passionate about my Bible reading and prayer time because without this, I can do nothing.

I feel disciplined to exercise and eat right and sleep well so I can sustain the fast pace planned in the months ahead.

I feel trust that God Who gave me this book will give me the energy and wisdom to complete the tasks ahead.

I feel joy knowing that the words God placed in my heart will be read by strangers I could never have reached otherwise.

I feel festive. Writers spend months isolated in their little offices zoning in on the book they are writing. Now I want to celebrate!

I feel different. Writing two books on marriage has made me a more loving and understanding wife. The quality of our marriage skyrocketed.

I feel thankful. I'm in awe of God, Who called me to this ministry and Who teaches me so I can teach others.

I feel obedient to God's call to write and speak. There were other important ways to spend my days, but I said no to them and yes to God. 

I feel blessed by so many friends who pray for me and encourage me on this journey. I thank God for YOU! One of those friends sent me this passage. I love her for it. Sort of sums it all up:

"Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me." Psalm 71:18 (NLT)

I feel blessed that the God Who allowed me to get old and gray has not abandoned me. He allows me to proclaim His power to a new generation as I write of God's mighty miracles to all who come after me.


Splashes of Serenity and Joy to you today,

Elaine

From File Drawer to Book Store—My Writing Journey Continues

So, how did my first book go from a file drawer to a bookstore?

In earlier blogposts I share how God called me to write Cleanse My Heart: Bathtime Meditations for Moms. Rejected by four publishers, I placed that manuscript back into my file drawer. Content that I had obeyed God, I laid it to rest. But, God is in the resurrection business and He had other plans.

My friend Kelly Molinet visited one day. Kelly and I cried, prayed, and shared life together when her son, Liam, was born with Cystic Fibrosis. I wrote this dear victorious mother's story in Cleanse My Heart.

"Would you like to read what I wrote about Liam?" I asked her. She did. She liked it. A published author herself, she asked, "Why haven't you sent this to my publisher?"

So, I did. I sent Cleanse My Heart to Green Key Books. Within a few months, a contract arrived in my mailbox.

When a contract is signed, the author gives the publisher rights to your words. Which means, they can do with them whatever they please. Cleanse My Heart could have become a comic book.

Green Key didn't give me a comic book, but a beautiful hard cover gift book. Other authors tell me a first-time unknown author would never get a hard-cover book. That never happens. Well, with God all things are possible. And God was in this book from its conception.

But wait! What happened to Cleanse My Heart? The publisher also has the right to rename your book. Green Key renamed mine Sink or Swim (S.O.S.): Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms. I'm glad they asked my opinion and that I stated, "I think Sink or Swim sounds too severe. Can we change it?" Pete and Krissi Castor at Green Key Books were willing, but wanted to keep the S.O.S.

I put my thinking cap and prayer hat on and within seconds, God whispered, Splashes of Serenity. I've been splashes of serenity ever since. I love it. A breath of fresh air! A ray of sunshine! A splash of serenity!

What joy to have my first reflection be "No Room in the Tub for Me!" A story written in my bathtub the night before my baby left for college. How appropriate for this drained mom.

Within months Splashes of Serenity (S.O.S.): Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms  sold thousands and a second printing was ordered. It is now in a third printing. Mothers around the world have been blessed and encouraged by this book. If you'd like an autographed copy, you can order it at my bookstore (see tab above) or contact me at SplashesofSerenity@yahoo.com.

So, what did you learn from this post?

Well, that God's plan for your book won't be thwarted even when you put it where no man can find it.

A publisher can make a comic book from your words if he wants to, but a publisher desires to give you the best-selling product they can afford.

A publisher has the final say on the title, but most publishers will listen to your heart and consider your thoughts.

One day your wildest dreams could come true and people will line up at your Barnes & Noble book signing. Who knew? Not me. Only God had this plan. My job was to obey. I'm so glad I did.

Hoping this was a splash of serenity and an encouragement to you,

Elaine

The Blessings of Writing and Leaving a Legacy

I hit the "send" button. My book, We All Married Idiots: Three Things You'll Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can, is in the hands of dear Anna, who is incorporating 30 pages of edits into the manuscript and making it all into a book we hope will impact lives.

Today, I rest and recover and reflect, thankful for all who prayed and encouraged and sacrificed. Was it worth it? Oh, yes! This letter from my 7-year old granddaughter tells it all.

Gracie writes,

"Grandma,

... You mean alot to me! I would give you 3 wishes if I could. Thank you for teaching me how to write a book, now I can pass it down to my kids when I grow up!

Love,

Gracie & family"

Reminds me of why we sacrifice hours and days and years to write. This is why: "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord." Psalm 102:18

Has God placed a book in your heart? Write it down so future generations can praise the Lord. Be that Splash of Serenity in their lives.

Thanking God for words and books and friends and granddaughters who will create future generations to praise the Lord!

Elaine