Cover it up

We are on the move. On Friday, I received the options for the book's cover. Wow! For those of you who have been following along, judge for yourself. Has it been a long time since my initial announcement?
I have actually done a pretty good job of being patient. I know some of you had to pick up your mouths off the ground for that one, but I have. (I am learning).

Well just a few more months until completion. Don't worry I will keep every one informed as to when the launch party and book signing will be.

Micah's Baby Brother

So the name of the book is called Micah's Baby Brother, just in case you missed it in earlier postings. It is a wonderful little story that I am very proud of. Nevertheless, the Lord has blessed us with two beautiful little girls, so there is a bit of irony in that title.

This guy right here, the one with the kool aid smile, is my husband. The little bundle he is holding is my 3day old nephew, Isaiah or "Ike" is the new nick name given to him from Pa Pa.

You see, he had to evacuate from Victoria (20 minutes from Port Lavaca) only hours after being released from the hospital, due to the threat of Hurricane Ike striking the Texas Coast.

Back to the smile, now my husband loves and adores our two little girls, but there is something about the way he gets all excited with the idea of a son(0), a nephew(5), a God son(2). He is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to them. He plays with them and entertains them. It is wonderful to watch his interactions with them.

Anyway, as I mentioned he loves his daughters, and he is very good with them, but I can only imagine the adventures he would have with a son.

I like your smile...

Okay! Every since I have been a little girl, I recall my Dad making jokes about how I love to be in front of a camera. Perhaps there may be some truth to this, but it is not due to vanity or anything, I just believe it's one way to leave your mark on the world. With all of this being said, let me move on to my point.

If my dad is right, then I should never have any problems getting my picture taken. Right? Wrong! I went to a wonderful studio, Bella Amadis, to get some head shots taken for my book. The photographer was awesome, very patient, very personable, I could go on all day. Well she asked me for one thing that I could not deliver... a serious smile.

I could smirk, I could giggle, I could beam brightly, but I just could not simply smile. I am so Godly proud of this accomplishment that I am ready to shout it from the roof tops. The first few months of this process were extremely slow, but everything is on the move now. Thank you, Lord.

So the photographer, just continued to work with me. She was kind and made what had the potential to turn into a very tense and uncomfortable situation, turn out to be a nice photo shoot. Ultimately we both agreed that the good ole "say cheese" is one of my best assets.

So next time in doubt, just S M I L E!

(Thank you for such a fun day, B.F.M.)

What A Blessing!

I have been blessed with the kindest, most thoughtful person as my illustrator. When we first began our interactions with each other I was terribly under the weather with some strange bug I picked up at Disney World, and "She" made a point to check in on my health with each exchange that we shared before she got down to business.

This is just another positive experience that I have encountered along this journey. God is truly putting the right people in the right places, just when they are needed the most. I am truly thankful for this experience. So this blog entry is dedicated to you, MP, your kindness has meant so much and your images are awesome. :-)

Picture This

I received a copy of the first image for the book today. I was so excited, this journey is truly taking shape. I was pleasantly surprised to see the attention given to suggestions that I made. I pray that each image is carefully designed, that when all is said and done, all glory will go to God. I pray that each hand who holds it and every eye that reads it, will take a positive message from the story and perhaps have their faith renewed. (Amen)

The Next Phase

I have officially moved the the next phase of the book. I am now in the layout phase. It is time to start putting the words on the appropriate pages, which will be followed by pictures. Woohoo! I will update the blog as soon I get more information.

I Survived the Red Pen

Yippee!!! I received the first round of edits from The Publisher and I survived the red pen. I have to admit, I was a little nervous because it has been a while since I have had someone critique my work. However, it was not bad at all.

Remember your first college paper, where it seems like it would have been easier if your professor would have written it herself. I promise, mine had so many red marks on it, that I couldn't see my words any more.

Moving forward, I can proudly say that I have improved . With each new phase, I still marvel at the fact that my dream is coming to pass. I know I have said this in the past, but thank you to everyone who continues to follow this process, and for those who continually send their blessings and well wishes.

Foreword

I received the first endorsement for my book, coupled by a well written foreword. I was really impressed by the statements that this individual had to say about myself as well as the story. I am learning so much on this journey.

A foreword is an introductory statement in a published work, made by someone other than the author. Just think if we had someone to put in a good word for us or to endorse our character everyday of our lives.
Perhaps you fall short of completing a task or you mispoke about a particular situation, imagine someone being there to straighten it out and fix it for you. I know most people consider themselves perfect, but I have accidently, mistakenly, and unknowingly said or done things without thinking. However there was no magician to wave his magic wand or a mediator on hand to explain.

I thank God for His compassion and forgiveness, which a lot of people have shown me as well.

Your Latter Will Be Greater...

Isn't it frustrating when you are so excited for the next phase of anything to begin, but it seems like the reply on every hand is "wait!" I received an email about a week ago from The Publisher saying that the book business isn't known for its quickness, so be prepared.

While I knew that the book wouldn't be published overnight, I was hoping the process would happen rather swiftly. However, I am glad I received the heads up, because I know I probably would start to get antsy during this lag time.

One of my favorite songs by Martha Munizzi is Your Latter Will Be Greater(than your past) based on a scripture in Job 8:7 (7And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase). No matter what you have been through or no matter what you are going to go through, it's all okay because "the best is yet to come."

So even though part of me wants to be anxious, I am able to control my thoughts and enjoy this exciting time, because that is truly what it is. So my goal for the next few weeks leading up to the start of production is to make sure I enjoy the process leading up to the blessing, and don't get so caught up with what the end result is going to be. I already know my latter will be greater than the rest.

Writer's Block

This is my one year old daughter. Just as any real princess would have it, the world (my household) revolves around her. If she is happy, then everyone is happy. If she isn't, then we have to readjust a few things in order to get anything done.

Don't let the big smile fool you, although it is sweet, she makes her presence known. I was putting the finishing touches on the sequel to Micah, so I was in deep concentration. Any writer will tell you that once you are in the zone you simply need to "write it out."

As I tried my best to incorporate playtime, with mommy-time, it just wasn't working. She began trying to squeeze in between me and the laptop, which just wasn't happening. I tried to redirect her attention to items in the room that usually captivate her, but she absolutely refused. She wanted Mommy and that's all there was to it.

After realizing it was too frustrating to write and fight off a tenacious one year old, I decided to finally give in when King Daddy saved the day. As the two of them disappeared down the winding staircase, not really it just has one turn, I was free to write my heart out. But wouldn't you know it, I had writer's block.

It didn't last long, I was able to regroup and finish the story. Sometimes life will yield interuptions, but don't sweat it, because it's just an opportunity to slow down and take in the good stuff. If I had put down the computer and held her, I would have seen just what my husband did. She was sleepy, and drifted right off within moments of them walking away.