It’s Never Too Late For Your Dreams
The fact that I even went to that first conference back in 2014 was a miracle. At that time, I didn’t even know there were such things. And why on earth would I think I should attend one? Me, a writer? No way. I was a singer. That’s what I had done all my life. God was supposed to use me and my voice to reach people. Period. And then I got older and my hearing began to fail me. But God was already working in the shadows to give me a second voice.
Called To Write
In the meantime, I felt a pull to write. It wouldn’t leave me. I had quite a collection of poems I had written when my children were younger. Maybe I could pull those out and try my hand at that again. So, I began to write. I wrote silly children’s poems. Now don’t get me wrong. I think children’s literature is very important. Most of my poems just happen to be rather silly in nature. I even wrote a couple of picture books. But could I actually do this and maybe get something published?
That’s when I learned about BRMCWC. Me? Attend a writing conference? Clueless, I signed up not knowing what to expect. Armed with my little folder full of poems and my picture books, I entered the lobby of Pritchel to sign in and get the information I needed. There was a big booklet telling about the classes, the faculty, and thankfully, a map. There were some big names in that book, let me tell you. What on earth was I doing here? Out of my element, big time.
My Dear Friend
In the lobby of Pritchel was a lovely young woman. I was old enough to be her mother. But she
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| BRMCWC 2015, Karen Lynn Nolan and Susan Mytko |
approached me and asked what I was going to do, go on the bus or walk to the orientation given by Michelle Cox? I think we decided to ride the bus. We went to that meeting for newbies, and Michelle was so good at putting us all at ease. Maybe this wasn’t so bad. Besides, I had my new friend, Susan.
Picture books and children’s writing were being taught by Sally Apokedak and Michelle Medlock Adams. Now, that sounded like something I could get into. I found their classes and, with some effort and help, made my way there. I learned a lot in those classes. I learned a great deal about what I didn’t know. But that’s okay. I wasn’t supposed to know what they know. They were the experts. I was just a beginning writer who only wanted to know if there was anything there with which to work.
I signed up for an appointment with each of those ladies. Armed with my poems and picture books, I bravely walked up and sat down and asked, “Am I even a writer? Should I just go home?” I was too naïve to even know how important this first look at my work was. Too ignorant of the process to understand I should be quaking in my shoes. But each of those precious ladies was so encouraging. “Yes,” they said. “You are a writer, one with a strong voice. Don’t stop. You can do this.” Wow! I’m a writer. That was the first time I said that.
With their class notes and the audio versions and handouts purchased at that conference, I came home and began to learn all I could about the craft of writing. I purchased how to books. I had no idea that so many books existed to help one on this journey. I joined organizations which reached out to help writers of all levels. And I began to write my first novel.
Winning Awards
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| DiAnn Mills, Debbie, Edie Melson, 2017 |
I worked on that book for two years. I attended BRMCWC again and again. Then I learned of Autumn in the Mountains Novelist Retreat. I became brave enough to enter the contests there. My cozy mystery won three first place and two second place awards there in 2016. I came home and worked on the changes given to me in two paid critiques. I hired a social media coach. I had the first three chapters of my book professionally edited. At Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference this past May, that cozy mystery won the second place Foundations Award for speculative/mystery/romance. From a handful of little poems to an award-winning mystery, this has been quite a journey.
Now, I didn’t write this to tell you how great I think I am. No, I’m so humbled by these awards, by this call God has placed on my life, by the doors which have been opening to me over the past four years. I have a way to go. God knows what He has in store for my writing. My mystery is no mystery to Him. He knows exactly what is going to happen to it, and I put my faith and trust in Him.
God’s Got the Door
This post is to encourage you. I am a grandmother who is fulfilling a dream of writing. It is never too late to pursue a dream, to have a new dream, to find a second voice. Whatever you think you would like to do, give it to God. Ask Him to guide you, to go before you and prepare the way. Do your homework. Listen to the experts. Attend conferences. Enter contests. But first, pray. When you consider your dream, ask God to lead you where He wants you to be, to open doors for you. Let me assure you that I didn’t, couldn’t do this on my own. He’s been right there beside me, every step of the way. And He’s such a gentleman, He’s even held the door.
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