It Happens While You're Doing Something Else

Well, I wrote a book and published it.

It happened. It really happened.

Do you know what is more exciting than the fact that this happened? It's how it happened.

It happened when I was doing something else.

You see, my whole life--from the time I wrote about a tree for Arbor Day as a 6 year old--I wanted to write books. So I did. I wrote novels and all sorts of stories and poems and non-fiction pieces. Every day, I wrote. I found agents and publishers and editors, but nobody wanted to publish my stories.

Nobody.

But I still wrote novels. 5 years ago, I decided to start blogging (because of my friend Laurie!) about little moments of grace and joy each day. Every day, I wrote. Last year, I met with the Italian Mama after another series of rejections from publishers, and I'll never forget what she said.

I said, "I just don't know what I'm supposed to do. What am I doing? What about my books? Aren't I supposed to be publishing all this? What should I write?"

She said, "I think it's your blog. That's your writing. That is enough."

It didn't feel like enough. It didn't feel like a dream at all. My blog was my journal that some people read, but it wasn't the same as a book.

Then, the summer came, and we neared the 5th year of my daily blogging. My husband and I were driving home from a trip, and he turned to me and said, "I wish we had all your favorite blogs together in a book." Meanwhile, my friend Margaret Baker noticed the seasonal patterns of all my blogs and wondered if I could compile those blogs by seasons and make a devotional book.

People began emailing about which blogs I should include. Excitement grew. A friend and blog reader in Texas--we've never met!-- offered to consult with me as an editor for free. She wanted to preorder so many books! Her excitement made this project happen. This woman I have never seen spurred me on.

My great friend, Rachel, who designed the cover for How to Write with Flair, took a concept I had for a cover (I told her I wrote often about acorns and just love those little acorns!), and she made this.

Yesterday, I approved my proof copy, and my independent publishing platform (Createspace) began printing copies for everyone who began placing their orders.

It was 5 years in the making, this book.

I didn't know I was writing it.

It wasn't traditional or glamorous. It was more hidden and thoughtful, with a group of friends cheering me on. Isn't that what living with flair has always been about?

The greatest thing was happening, and I didn't know it. I'm glad God kept it a secret. I just blogged, but He knew the whole story. He knew that one day, the book I dreamed of all my life would arrive in a different package, in an unexpected way.

That's just like Him. And I'm so thankful that, although this book is exciting, He--and His methods--are the Most Exciting Thing. I just love thinking about it.

And I love you and wanted to thank you for the past 5 years. In another 5 years, we'll have Volume 2.

Meanwhile, here's the link to various ways to enjoy the book:

Createspace Estore 

Paperback from Amazon

Kindle edition 

I suppose I really have learned to go about God-ordained little tasks and let Him handle the outcome for me. It's always better this way.