My Journey to Publication - Part 1

Now that things are moving along with my children's book, I thought it might be interesting to discuss a little bit of my journey to publication. I'm about six years late in starting this endeavor, but I promise not to bore you with too many details.

We'll do this in parts, so that it doesn't become a book in and of itself. My intention is to end it with the day Little Shepherd Boy is released from Guardian Angel Publishing, but we'll play that part by ear.

I have been an avid reader all my life. With my youngest daughter, who has been trying to read since she was old enough to pick up a book, I can get a glimpse of what I might have been like back then. For some reason I've blocked out most of my childhood (just kidding, it's only wishful thinking).

Pretty much I was that annoying student who loved learning and looked forward to writing book reports. Yes, the other kids hated me.

Prior to the death of my mother, I began writing short stories. Once she passed away, I used my writing as a type of therapy to help me deal with losing her and being forced to live with a father I barely knew. Dad worked and for several years went to school while I was growing up, so he wasn't around too much.

Life got busy for me. The four years of high school--though they seemed like torture at the time--passed quickly, and soon I graduated. Three months later I became pregnant with my son. My writing was put on hold for many years while I raised my son and worked several jobs to make ends meet--which they usually didn't. I tried to complete my degree through correspondence school, but I had so little time that I really couldn't make it work.

Oh darn, I just realized I'm giving you too many details. You're probably snoring by now. Okay, let's speed things up.

I began my first full-length manuscript around 1997. My sister and I collaborated on it. Amazingly, my sister has always been even busier than me; though I never thought that was possible.

Parenting and working took up most of my time, and I was still trying to edit as I go back then, so needless to say (so why am I saying it then?) this manuscript didn't go far very fast. In fact, I would abandon it for several years, until I married and became a stay-at-home mom in 2004.

Here is what I wrote in my journal on February 3, 2004, the day I officially decided to pursue my writing dreams:

"I have made a decision today. A decision that I have struggled with, thought about, and stewed over forever. That decision, this choice, will either make me truly happy or it will kill me. Today I will begin my writing career."

Aren't I so dramatic. :)

It hasn't killed me yet, and I'm happy, so I guess I know how this might pan out. That's enough for today, kiddies. Hope you enjoy the ride!