Writing

"I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words 
as they tangle with human hearts." 

~James Michner

Writing with Heart & Soul

From the time I learned to read in first grade, I fell in love with the written word. Reading took me to worlds like Narnia and down the rabbit hole with Alice. Reading allowed me to fall in love over and over again. Reading gave me wisdom.

Many writers wanted to be writers from the time they learned to form letters, but the desire to write didn't hit me until I was sixteen. I had finished reading Danielle Steele's The Promise. My angsty teenage heart was all a flutter at The End. I’ve always been a happily ever after girl. So I decided I wanted to create that same heart-sigh for my readers. 

My first attempts at writing were horrible. My first story was called The Boss’s Son. At that time I was working my way through my friend’s stash of First Love by Silhouette novels--popular teen romances in the 80s. After high school graduation, I majored in fiction writing. Little did I realize God had laid this foundation for my life years prior to my life-changing decision.

Over a decade ago, I decided to get serious about becoming a published author. I started a novel about a woman who broke off her engagement to her police officer fiance after her father was killed in the line of duty.

I toiled over that novel, breaking every writing rule new writers aren't supposed to break. I shelved the book several times and started something new, but those characters continued to stay with me. The story title changed several times as I tweaked the plot, deepened the characters, and shelved it again.

I shared with several critique groups through the years and used their feedback to make it as good as I could. But there still seemed to be something missing.

I brainstormed my novel with Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck, the My Book Therapy dynamic duo and ended our two-hour session with a fully plotted novel. 

With a deep breath, I entered Draw Me Close in the 2009 ACFW Genesis contest, hoping for feedback to help strengthen the writing. Jim Rubart called to let me know my entry had finaled. At the ACFW banquet, Draw Me Close took second place in the contemporary romance category!

Additionally I had pitched it to Love Inspired editor Tina James and WordServe Literary agent Rachelle Gardner. Both requested the full manuscript, but Rachelle asked me to send it to her first. I sent it in March 2010. 

A week later, I received an email from Rachelle offering representation. I kept thinking I received someone else's email by mistake. Even after I spoke with her on the phone for almost an hour, I still floated in "pinch me" world.

She submitted it to Tina James in April, but the pesky manuscript disappeared into cyberspace. Unfortunately, we didn't realize this until speaking with Tina at the 2010 ACFW conference. Rachelle re-submitted it in October, so I waited again.

On January 7, 2011, Rachelle called and said, "Lisa, today is your day!" I cried. I sobbed. My poor husband thought something terrible had happened. I finally managed to squeak out, "My book sold."

Love Inspired editor Melissa Endlich had an opening in her schedule. She asked the other LI editors if they had something she could read. Tina gave her my manuscript on that Monday. She read it Tuesday and Wednesday, wanted to buy it on Thursday, and Rachelle called me on Friday with a book offer.

After more than a decade, Lindsey and Stephen of Draw Me Close will have their happily ever after.  

Later, after my day job ended, and the house quieted, I called Rachelle back and listened to the terms and book details. I teared up again when I learned my novel will be out in November 2011.

Over the next week, I received a welcome letter from Melissa, along with my first set of revisions--8 small items to change. We discussed title changes and cover art. After emailing a couple of times, Draw Me Close has been retitled Lakeside Reunion. It's a story of forgiveness, trust, and second chances.

Creating characters of depth and dimension is my primary goal when writing my novels. Real emotion and the struggle between what is easy and what is of God hopefully shines through in my work to illuminate a heart readers can relate to. He continues to polish and refine me through life experiences--some not so pleasant, but it's all part of His Plan, His Purpose for my life.