Affirmation, Confirmation and A Smack Upside The Head

I’m sitting here in my room on the last morning of the ACFW conference in Dallas. It’s early. Breakfast isn’t until 9am today. But I’m wide awake. I’ve had an amazing four days. Hung out with dear friends, had some great meetings and learned so much. My head is still swirling, processing information,  remembering conversations, putting all the details into little prioritized boxes and desperately hoping to hold onto every last one.

My heart is full.

I’ve been coming to these conferences pretty much every year since I joined this amazing organization back in 2005. I’ve only missed one year. I remember that first conference when I arrived, in fear and trembling, not really knowing what to expect, and returning home with new knowledge of what it meant to be a writer, a woman of faith, and a sojourner on a journey that so many others were traveling right along with me.

Coming here, sharing sweet fellowship with all these other amazing writers, soaking up the lessons taught by those who are so much further ahead than I, basking in the sheer energy that abounds in this place where we gather…and knowing we are all connected through the love and mercy of Jesus …there is truly nothing like it.

I used to come with a suitcase full of expectation. (Who am I kidding? It’s sitting on the floor over there).  I needed an agent. Then I needed a publisher. Then I needed… Are you seeing the pattern here? It’s all about me. Right?

No.

It’s not.

From the moment I arrived here on Wednesday night, there has been one message, over and over and over. Because I’m a little stupid sometimes. I need things repeated so they really sink in. I hear what I’m supposed to, think, oh yeah, cool, then go on my merry way, dragging that heavy bag of expectations behind me. And to tell you the truth, since becoming a published author, I’ve packed more crap into it. My shoulders are sore from carrying it around. My head aches and my stomach is constantly in knots. What if I’m really not good enough for this? Why do those sales figures suck? How can I do this better? What if…  The questions pitch hard and fast until eventually I can’t take one more. Because I don’t have the answers.

God does.

And over the past four days, He’s been dealing with me. Telling me, like only He can, to sit down and shut up. Quit worrying about getting it right. Quit worrying about being successful. Quit worrying where its all going from here. Just. Quit. It.

He’s got this.

Boy did I need that message. I mean, I knew it. I’m a good little Christian. Of course God’s in control. Of course this is all for Him. Of course it doesn’t matter whether I’m a success…

Really? Ha. It matters. You and I both know that. Who wants to be a failure? Nobody. And I believe it’s okay to want success. It’s okay to want to land that contract with a dream publisher. Heck, it’s okay to dream about hitting the New York Times bestseller list. But it’s not okay to be consumed by it all. Because then we’re shutting out God. We’re letting Him stand in the wings, watching, while we take all the glory. And when we take the fall, which we will at some poin, we expect Him to be there to catch us anyway. And He does. Because that’s how much He loves us.

So really, what’s all this about? For me, it’s about having the freedom to say, yeah, this gig is cool, I love doing what I do, I love having those surreal moments when you’re talking to two bestselling authors and one looks at me and says to the other, “You would just love Cathy’s writing…” Yes, stroke my ego…but wow. How did I get here? Did I do this all by myself? Because I’m just that good, right? Wrong. 

I am in this place because God has allowed me to be. He has gifted me with the great honor of working for Him. With each word I write, each connection I make, each person I touch, it’s all for Him. And knowing that, feeling that, accepting it and walking in it, allows me the freedom to throw away that trunk of expectation. I don’t have to succeed in the world’s eyes.

Because in God’s eyes, I already have.

And so I journey on…but what joy to know it doesn’t matter where this all ends up. I’m just along for the ride. I don’t have to drive. I can feel the wind in my hair, the sun on my face, and I grin wide with the sheer pleasure of knowing that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Do you know where you’re supposed to be this morning? 

Meet Lena Nelson Dooley!

Meeting and chatting with Lena for the first time is like reuniting with an old friend. Seriously. She makes you feel like you’ve known each other forever! And her writing is pretty amazing too, so if you don’t yet know this wonderful author, hang out a while and then go check out her books! It is my pleasure to have Lena with us today!

Who are you?

First and foremost, I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. I don’t think I could live without Him in my life. Everything that comes into my life comes through Him, and I praise Him for walking with me through the highs and lows, never leaving my side.

Then I’ve been the wife of the love of my life for almost 48 years. So I’m also a mother of two daughters and two sons-in-law, the grandmother of two grandsons, two granddaughters, and now one grandson-in-law, and the great grandmother of a very bright almost 5 year old.

And lastly, I write novels. This is what God created me to be at this season in my life. I praise Him for it.

Where are you now?

Most of my family live near us in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex—all except my Army grandson, who is serving in South Korea right now.

I’ve finished writing book three of my McKenna’s Daughters series, published by Realms, the fiction line from Charisma Media. Book two of the series just released. We’re featuring it here. The last book will release in January. Right now, I’m writing book one of my Restored Hearts series for Realms.

In addition to being active in my church, I’m also actively involved in American Christian Fiction Writers. Sometimes I speak to writing groups or women’s groups.

Where are you going?

I’m as anxious as you to see where God is going to take me next.

About Mary’s Blessing: 

When her mother dies, Mary Lenora must grow up quickly to take care of her brothers and sisters. Can love help her to shoulder the burden?

 Mary Lenora Murray knows she is adopted. As she was growing up, her mother called her “God’s blessing.” But now that she’s gone, Mary no longer feels like any kind of blessing. Her father, in his grief, has cut himself off from the family, leaving the running of the home entirely in Mary’s hands.

 As she nears her eighteenth birthday, Mary can’t see anything in her future but drudgery. Then her childhood friend Daniel begins to court her, promising her a life of riches and ease. But her fairy-tale dreams turn to dust when her family becomes too much for Daniel, and he abandons her in her time of deepest need.

 Will Daniel come to grips with God’s plan for him? And if he does return, can Mary trust that this time he will really follow through?

About Lena: 

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 690,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s a member of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with eighteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books.

Her 2010 release was Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press which recently won the Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western literature for fiction. Lena is currently under two 3-book contracts with Charisma House/Realms. The first book released in October 2011. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for historical fiction. The second is Mary’s Blessing, which released in May 2012. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in January 2013.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.

 Connect with Lena!

Website

Blog 

Pinterest

Facebook

Official Fan Page

Goodreads

Meet Author Deborah Raney!

If I start talking about this amazing author, I won’t be able to stop. I’m sure most of you reading this have read at least ONE of Deb’s wonderful novels. I remember reading A Vow To Cherish many years ago, and thought, wow, so this is what this Christian fiction stuff is all about. I can do that. I want to do that. And so began a very long journey to my becoming a writer, and finally seeing my work in print. Deb’s been such an inspiration to me in so many ways, especially as an encourager as I ventured forth to write Yesterday’s Tomorrow. I definitely credit her in large part for that book finally finding a publishing home, because she kept telling me not to give up on it!

With her involvement in ACFW and the way she mentors other writers, Deb is truly a shining example to all of us as she gives back to our writing community. And yes, if you haven’t met her in person yet, she really IS as sweet as she looks!

I’m absolutely thrilled to have her on the blog today, and I hope you enjoy her visit as much as I will!

Who Are You?

In this order, I am: a child of God, a wife, a mom, “Mimi” to four precious grandchildren, a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. And I am a full-time novelist. I also love to teach writing and mentor new writers at conferences from California to North Carolina. It seems odd to list “novelist” at the end of that long string of titles, especially when sometimes the hours I spend writing are so much greater than the time I get to spend in those other, vastly-more-important roles. But I hope I always treasure people above things. The truth is, I love every one of the roles God has given me, and have found immense blessing in each one. My dream as a young girl was to be a stay-at-home mom (I wanted a dozen children, but when we got to 4, it seemed like 12 and I am perfectly content with our two sons, two daughters, and the four grandchildren (so far) who have blessed our lives.

Where Are You Now?

My husband Ken and I live in the beautiful, bountiful, friendly state of Kansas, and every chance I get, I spend time in the lovely prairie garden Ken has created

in our backyard. This is my favorite view of the garden from the back deck

(For more photos, check out my garden blog: www.kansasprairiegarden.blogspot.com.)

Where Are You Going?

I hope I’m always only going exactly where God directs me to go. Three and-a-half years ago, my husband was laid off from his job after twenty-five loyal years with the same company. Since that frightening day, we have learned so much about following God one step, one day at a time. I’ve always been a person who liked to have her ducks in a row and a neat check-list to follow each day. But I’m learning that God doesn’t necessarily work that way, and what a HUGE adventure it has been to toss our lists and dreams and goals aside for a season, and just run with Him. Though there have been some rough patches, we have both recently decided that the layoff was the best thing that could have happened to us at this time in our lives. Our trust in God has grown in amazing ways, and He has provided every single one of our needs (which are a LOT less than we might have thought <g>). He’s also provided many, many things that we now realize are luxuries and blessings from His hand. And though we are technically poorer than we’ve been in many years, we are richer in so many––far more important––ways.

DEBORAH RANEY’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after 20 happy years as a stay-at-home mom. Her books have won numerous awards including the RITA, the Carol Award, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Deb’s newest novel released from Howard/Simon & Schuster in May. She and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy the wildflowers and native grasses in the Kansas prairie garden in their backyard. They also love traveling together to teach at conferences, and to visit four children and four small grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.

 

AFTER ALL (Book 3 in the Hanover Falls Novels series from Howard/Simon & Schuster) Eighteen months after the tragic Grove Street Fire took the life of her husband, David, and four other heroic firefighters, Susan Marlowe thinks she’s finally beginning to heal. But then she discovers that David carried a secret to his grave. A secret that changes everything she thought their marriage had been. For the sake of their sons, can Susan forgive the unforgivable?Andrea Morley lost her closest friend in the fire. But she has no right to mourn him. Instead, she must forever grieve in silence—because her dearest friend was someone else’s husband. Peter Brennan carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Hanover Falls’ fire chief, he was responsible for the brave firefighters who lost their lives that awful November night. Can he ever shake the feeling that he should have somehow prevented the tragedy? As he tries to rebuild the team at Clemens County’s Station 2, it seems he might find comfort in the arms of the woman he least expected.

 

Meet Author Gail Sattler!

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of a chat with Canadian author, Gail Sattler, I urge you to take the next opportunity you get and nab her for a cup of coffee or tea! Gail is a talented musician, and can usually be found playing her bass guitar on the worship team each year at the ACFW conference. When she’s not there, you can find her in her beautiful home of Vancouver. I’ve known Gail for many years, in fact she was one of my very first critique partners. I remember when she got her first book contract with Barbour, for Walking The Dog, and it’s been a great ride for Gail since then!

I’m thrilled that she’s here today to tell us a bit about herself and her latest release, Seattle Cinderella!

Who are you?

On my blog, I am a wife, mother, musician, writer, pet owner, and lizard lover, depending on what day it is, and this is very true.

On Monday I’m a classical musician, I play acoustic double bass for a community orchestra, and Monday is practice night. On Tuesday I veg on the living room couch, and my husband and I, depending on various interruptions, catch up on all the TV shows he’s recorded for me. Of course my favorite show is Castle.  Since my boys are all young adults now, we don’t really have a “family” time anymore, but Tuesday is the night that depending what I’m watching on television, they still come to point and laugh when my darling husband puts on something that makes me sniffle at the ending. Which of course makes me wonder how they know…

Wednesday it’s band night again, this time jazz band, which is much less formal than the orchestra, and much louder.

Thursday night I go visit my father-in-law. We usually do take-out Chinese food, and he is always generous to let me take home most of the leftovers for my lunch the next day. Gotta love the man!

Then Friday is free, and unless I have plans with friends, I usually I go hide downstairs and write. This continues on through Saturday, which is my major writing day, which most of the time it’s only me and my husband at home. Fortunately  my husband is a smart man, and he knows that even though our computers are side by side in our home office, he can tell when he should be going upstairs to watch his shows (vs my shows) and leave me in the quiet basement office alone.

Sunday I’m on the worship team at church, so that means getting up early every third week.  I used to play bass guitar, but we’ve had a switch with the team, and I’m back to playing piano, which I’m really enjoying again.

So put this in a hat with my husband and three boys, shake it all up, and that’s who I am.

Where I am now?

Right now I feel like I’m wiggling my toes over the line at a crossroads. For so long I wrote only category, one of many authors in established lines, and now I’m breaking away to single titles, and series. It’s a great place to be, but with that, comes the need for tenacity and perseverance. I’ve recently had 4 deadlines back to back, along with the day job, and it’s a lot to do. Right now I’m doing a lot of promo for one, Seattle Cinderella gearing up for promos for the next, Take the Trophy and Run, and the edits for the one after that, When Pigs and Parrots Fly, and writing the next, Another Path. Soon, Barbour is going to re-release my first series, Vancouver, in digital format, so that’s all exciting, but when put together, a bit overwhelming. And I feel it.

Where am I going?

I’d like to say to bed, but that’s not going to happen. I’m moving forward, being involved in 2 active series – Bloomfield, a series with a group of authors, which is brand new and releasing soon, and working on my own series which started with The Narrow Path, and will continue on with the book I’m writing now, Another Path. So instead of going to bed, I’m going back to my computer to keep writing.

About Seattle Cinderella:

Cinderella lives—except her name is Cindy and she resides in Seattle! Cindy is forced to run her late father’s muffler shop. Will her step-sisters’ shenanigans and Luke Princeton’s charms only make her life even more unbearable? Cindy’s step-sister Annie has reformed her ways. But how will she prove it to the man she loves? Step-sister Zella is writing her own love story. But is she using a poison pen? Cindy’s godmother, Farrah, has caught the attentions of a younger man. Does she have the courage to love again? How far will God go to give these women a happy-ever-after?

About Gail:
Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver, BC, where you don’t have to shovel rain, with her husband, 3 sons, 2 dogs, countless fish, and a lizard named Bub who is quite cuddly for a reptile, when he’s not eating her houseplants.
For more info on Gail you’re invited to visit her website at www.gailsattler.com