An Author at Work

There are times when I wish that I could make writing my career...

I have often found it difficult to make real progress with the novels I have started, since I have to schedule writing in between my other commitments. However, I have recently realized that sometimes all that is needed is a little nudge - or push - in a certain direction.

The first book in my series "Journeys of Faith" was published earlier this year, and I still have not completed the e-book format for it. The second book in the series has been in progress for at least a few years, but I have not worked on it actively for quite a long time.

Part of the reason was because I wanted to complete the first book, but I was also somewhat "stuck." And now, I have suddenly found the catalyst and inspiration I needed!

A couple of weeks ago, I gave a copy of "A YIELDED HEART" to my neighbour and she loved it so much that she bought the copy! Not only that, but based on the Author's Note at the end which asks the readers to "stay tuned for the sequel," she told me she wanted to order 2 copies of each for Christmas gifts!!

I told her that the second book wasn't ready yet, but she is very eager to read it and share it with others ... and suddenly I knew that I could not let this opportunity pass. I realized that if I had an author's contract with an established publishing company, I would be given a deadline for completing my books.

So even though I am self-published, I have a responsibility to be somewhat consistent in completing my writing projects. Not wanting to disappoint my friend, I promised her that I would strive to finish the sequel by the end of November so that it would be ready for Christmas.

And now I have been making significant progress in the story development and writing. It seems that having a deadline was all the nudge I needed. I have scheduled time in during the week to work on my writing, because I have about 20 chapters still to write,

So without further ado ... it's back to the writing board!

More updates to come soon.

Update from Darlene

Hello again!
This is well past-due again ... but better late than never.

A YIELDED HEART - the 1st book in my series "Journeys of Faith" was published in January 2016. It is the story of a young man and his journey of discovering what his purpose in life is and what true faith really means.

The e-Book format of the book will be available hopefully by the end of May.

I have also recently published a book of my poetry writings over the years - it is called "Garden of Treasure: A Collection of Poems on Life and Faith."

I am working on the sequel - titled "PATH OF HEALING" - but I cannot promise when it will be completed and ready for publication. It is partially completed, but the parts already written require a lot of editing and re-writing.

I also have 2 other projects in the works:

- a trilogy (3 novels) called "Joanna's Legacy" and
- a book entitled "Interwoven" (4 short novels in one book)

I am hoping to have the 1st book in the trilogy completed by the end of the summer, and possibly more, but I don't want to promise something and not be able to fulfill it.

As much as I love writing, I do have a full-time job and other responsibilities, and so I often don't get as much accomplished as I would like to. I am learning, however, that there are ways I can make it happen - it just requires a little more planning than I am used to. Ideally, I'd like to just be able to sit down and write, but the likelihood of that happening is slim to none except on a long weekend or a holiday.

Being a writer is a journey of growth ... I started writing stories when I was very young, and have had a lot of life experiences since then, but there is always more to learn and ways to grow. As I learn and change, so does my writing, and I believe that I am a better author now than when I started to work toward this goal.

Thank you for checking in and reading my blog!

A HUGE THANK YOU also to those who have purchased copies of the books I have already published, and I hope they encourage you and keep you interested for more!

My goal in writing and publishing books is to share the gift of writing that God has given me and I trust that the stories are an encouragement and blessing to everyone who reads them.

Stay tuned for more updates ...