Forgotten Stories or Stories-In-Waiting?

Writer, ever step back into an old story and regret the dust on its pages? I have this story that shaped me for two tough, excruciating years, but grew steadily from two decades of dreaming.

Every once in a while, I will pull it up on my computer and read a bit.

It’s almost torture to do that, really. 
Because the background noise builds, a buzz of “too late now” hisses in my head.
Yet, crumbs of hope have kept me from truly believing that. God’s timing keeps me from believing that.

I read, and it’s like visiting with an old friend, and it’s like recalling how much I miss that friend.
It’s like that one imaginary friend who slips from your memory, but every once in a while an old burst of creativity reminds you of their existence in your heart.

I delve into the story but can’t read for too long because it plucks at a heartsore, a deep regret that my imagination wasn’t strong enough to grow real pages, strong wings.
I pray that old stories have purpose too. I have seen two old stories to publication. Maybe my imaginary friend has a chance yet?

Writer, do you have that one story that flirts with your hopes, challenged your chance to move into a new one?

One day...who knows when.

Blowing dust off the pages to tuck it in the drawer again. On to grown up things, and new imaginary adventures while I hope in the old ones.

Stepping Into a Dream

I LOVE history. I've written historical and historical romance stories in

• Peru in the 16th century
• England in the 16th century
• Oklahoma in the 19th century
• Utah in 1910
• WWII era in Greece and Texas

   Um, yeah, I love history.

I've spent the past decade of my life exploring the lives of people in the past, and crafting stories to honor their journeys and their cultures with the hope of walking through the door to publication one day.

Well, today, over at the Alley (www.thewritersalleyblog.com), you can celebrate with me as I take the next step in story-telling...

I received the news that one of my stories is getting published with Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical line! I will write a more in depth post soon...but I can hardly sit still long enough to type a whole post! :)

Can you guess which time period above my debut novel is set?

I'll give you a clue... 

Book Baby Nesting

Feeling like I've been nesting lately. When I was pregnant and nearing the due date, those last couple of months were filled with things to do, projects to complete, and heaping my plate with productivity. I know it was nesting because I am typically not a "do-er" as much as I am a "do-er wannabe". But during my nesting period, I thrived on the doing.

These past couple of weeks have me preparing for a different kind of baby...a book proposal. I'm not under contract [YET...a girl can dream], but opportunities arise to get my stories in front of editors on occasion, and this spring has been exceptionally busy [woot woot].  And as I have been energized by writing, I have that strange feeling of a do-er who actually does.

So, while I seem to fall short on blogging on a regular basis lately, it's not because I am slacking, it's because I am writing toward a dream of publication in my sixth year of doing so.

Praying for favor, and word count, and continued momentum. It's so much fun to "nest" for  my book babies.

Foolish Dreamin'

When I was first inspired to write my last novel, I will admit that the seed planted was from an old movie. After watching Lady Jane as a teenager, I immersed myself in the history of the Nine Days' Queen. I read non-fiction books and learned the Tudor line and fell in love with the rich, mysterious, sometimes devastating history of sixteenth century England.

It was a mild obsession.

Lady Jane is a historical figure who I have some how felt kindred to, especially years after learning about her, when I had to decide my own allegiance to God through religion. When I had to cast off old ways and put on new, no matter how much it hurt.

And then, as an adult (dare I say, middle age?), her story inspired me to write my own story with her as the central figure.

And, it sits, completely written, three years later, without a home but my laptop and a friend's kindle. I dreamed of bringing her to life again in the hearts of readers. I dreamed of giving her an alternative story to her tragic end recorded in history.

And I still love the story of Lady Jane Grey, and the story of Lady Jane Lives by Angie Dicken.

I still dream of publication. No matter how tough the market, how difficult the break-in. And I dream

of writing more of her story-- some day.

Foolish dreamin'? Perhaps. I mean, it's been a long dry road, this trip to publication. And I am not even certain this road leads to that in the first place.

I will tell you a secret. Maybe even more foolish than dreaming of publication.
Every time I see a flock of birds,  I pray that some editor out there is considering my novel. 
Ridiculous, huh?
If you know the Lady Jane movie at all, you know that it ends with the Platonic quote in the above image, and a flock of birds reaching the heavens.

It's a quote I've memorized all these years. As I have most of the Lady Jane movie.

Wonder if one day, a quote from Lady Jane Lives might be memorized with such timelessness?

Foolish dreamin'? Maybe.

On Submission.

Lately, it's hard to get in the swing of things (like regular blogging since my writer's break last month), especially after hitting a few anniversaries... my sixth writing conference, my third anniversary signing with my awesome agent, my third anniversary sending out an agented book proposal--one of three--my second anniversary being inspired to write my most promising novel, and my tenth Christmas season seeking publication

...and nada.

I know that I have made it hard on myself. I just write different kind of stories. Stories that have appeal, but are not a perfect fit in the market...yet.

Yet=Hope, right?

 But what I also know, is that I am thankful for the books that have come and gone...going. Each book I learn more from, and I am a better writer for it. So, while I can sit here and beat my fist on my laptop, deep down I know, it is just not my time yet.

And that is a good thing.

One day.

Hopefully, soon.

I'll be writing, "Signed Contract", in my post title.

But for now. I am "On submission". May 2016 look Merry and Bright on the Publishing front!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Regular Blogging coming soon (aka New Year's Resolution).