Never, Never Give Up!
by Carole Brown
2012 started out with my determination to become published.
I was already going through a discouragement period, and I felt little change as the months passed. Tidbits of things should have given me a hint that change was in the air. Or maybe better said, in my heart.
Friends encouraged. One special friend figuratively sat me down (although actually we were standing for most of the conversation) and gave me a “talking to.” What did I take away from that?
Quit beating myself up.
I have talent; use it.
Believe in God.
I’ll have to admit, my faith was weak at this point. Yet I’ll have to admit too: I think I had to get into this “slough of despond” for God to gain my attention. I had to get to the point where all I could say was, “God, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
I put the words on my desktop. Every few days they would catch my attention. Every few days I’d repeat them like a mantra; a prayer from a heart with little faith.
Then a writing conference.
A meeting with an editor.
A manuscript request.
Work. Editing.
A send-in.
Waiting.
Waiting.
More waiting.
Calls from my agent. Emails.
Contact.
BIG News.
I’d been offered a contract.
December 17: date signed.
I became an author!
Elation. Happiness. Satisfaction. Relief.
All this.
And more.
Peace.
Because throughout this year I learned in my own way to let go and let God. My faith might be weak, but God is strong. My faith might be little, but God works through little and weak and deformed and broken.
I couldn’t make it happen, but God did. In his own time.
It’s his book, his novel, and whether he blesses it in a mighty way, or a small one, it is his.
Meet the Author:
Author Carole Brown’s debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, will hopefully be out by the end of 2013. She’s also published four children’s books that are used in Christian schools and VBS. She’s written various magazine articles, served as editor and co-editor of many newsletters, has helped to develop advertising brochures and has received several awards for her poems. She has a Bachelors Degree in Religious Education, an Associate in Computer Software and has completed several courses in fiction writing.
Carole is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Central Ohio Fiction Writers, Sisters In Crime, and the founder of Circle of Pens (a writing group to mentor beginning writers). She is the ACFWOhio coordinator, ACFW Bookclub discussion leader, a Suspense Zone reviewer, a member of the Barn Loft Interview Team, and runs her own blog site at http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Carole lives in Ohio with her husband, and co-labors with her husband in ministry, nationally and internationally.
To connect with her, go here:
Blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carole.brown.7315
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Soon to be Released:
The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman
- Can Dayne’s prayers and love straddle the gulf of anger and bitterness Cara harbors before she goes too far to experience redemption?
- A contemporary women’s fiction with strong elements of suspense and romance
- Good for anyone who has been abused or for those dealing with abusive situations
- A passionate book, not for the weak hearted, but for those who want to be reminded, touched, and stirred.
Contests:
I’m also holding at least one contest a month to promote the upcoming release of my book, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman. Details can be seen at my blog if you’d like to join in the fun! http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook. January had THREE books as prizes; February had SIX different prizes; March’s had FIVE books.
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