January 13, 2010
I think Jodi Hills is a wonderful artist. She puts her quotes on her paintings and sells them. They are beautiful and their words evoke feeling. Sometimes I feel euphoric, sometimes I feel sad, but always my emotions become active when I read her words. Right now I am looking at her words as they lay next to my computer:
Realizing how much this dream could change her life, her life already started to change. The power of possibility.
jodi hills
I bought that greeting card at the beginning of 2009 when I proclaimed 2009 as The Year of the Book Contract. That card gave me courage to write and forward march to make my dream become real.
That dream was made real yesterday. I signed my first book contract. “BlessBackTM” will be published in 2012 with Journey Press. The non-fiction book is about the power found in blessing others.
The journey to publication has been anything but a solo accomplishment. It is the result of perseverance to be sure, but it also the result of the Divine putting me into situations to listen and tell other people’s incredible adventures. Some of those who have inspired me are long dead; their published works have touched me. Charles Dickens, Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, to be sure.
Then there are those still living. About 13 years ago, Jan Karon, the author of The Mitford series, came to Minnesota. I brought two friends with me to hear her talk in Faribault. In order to get into the event, one had to bring a homemade pie. I made a blueberry pie and went. Her talk inspired me. Afterwards I went to where she signed autographs and asked if she had any inspiring words for me, a writer 25 pages deep into her first book. She asked my name, set her pen down, leaned back, and did a serious stare-down to me. “I do,” she said, “but I don’t know if you’ll take them.”
I promised that I would. “Julie, never, ever give up,” she said. I didn’t know at the time she was quoting Winston Churchill, another motivator.
I took her words to heart. Went to writing conferences, started freelancing, finished a novel, and got a journalism degree, all to learn to write so I could eventually become a published author.
If you too are a wannabe writer, take Jan’s advice. Never, ever give up. Your soul will sing as you pursue your dream.
Just reading this was an inspiration. Often while friends, colleagues, family were off somewhere relaxing, having lunch, playing tennis, reading another’s book, I was busy interviewing, typing, typing, interviewing, typing…you get the picture. It took three years (longer and more difficult than actual child bearing) but I did it. You must be so thrilled. I must get a copy when it is finally published. Your encouragement is a bless back, even to a stranger. My best…for BlessBack