It Happens While You’re Doing Something Else

Well, I wrote a book and published it.

It happened. It really happened.

Do you know what is more exciting than the fact that this happened? It’s how it happened.

It happened when I was doing something else.

You see, my whole life–from the time I wrote about a tree for Arbor Day as a 6 year old–I wanted to write books. So I did. I wrote novels and all sorts of stories and poems and non-fiction pieces. Every day, I wrote. I found agents and publishers and editors, but nobody wanted to publish my stories.

Nobody.

But I still wrote novels. 5 years ago, I decided to start blogging (because of my friend Laurie!) about little moments of grace and joy each day. Every day, I wrote. Last year, I met with the Italian Mama after another series of rejections from publishers, and I’ll never forget what she said.

I said, “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. What am I doing? What about my books? Aren’t I supposed to be publishing all this? What should I write?”

She said, “I think it’s your blog. That’s your writing. That is enough.”

It didn’t feel like enough. It didn’t feel like a dream at all. My blog was my journal that some people read, but it wasn’t the same as a book.

Then, the summer came, and we neared the 5th year of my daily blogging. My husband and I were driving home from a trip, and he turned to me and said, “I wish we had all your favorite blogs together in a book.” Meanwhile, my friend Margaret Baker noticed the seasonal patterns of all my blogs and wondered if I could compile those blogs by seasons and make a devotional book.

People began emailing about which blogs I should include. Excitement grew. A friend and blog reader in Texas–we’ve never met!– offered to consult with me as an editor for free. She wanted to preorder so many books! Her excitement made this project happen. This woman I have never seen spurred me on.

My great friend, Rachel, who designed the cover for How to Write with Flair, took a concept I had for a cover (I told her I wrote often about acorns and just love those little acorns!), and she made this.

Yesterday, I approved my proof copy, and my independent publishing platform (Createspace) began printing copies for everyone who began placing their orders.

It was 5 years in the making, this book.

I didn’t know I was writing it.

It wasn’t traditional or glamorous. It was more hidden and thoughtful, with a group of friends cheering me on. Isn’t that what living with flair has always been about?

The greatest thing was happening, and I didn’t know it. I’m glad God kept it a secret. I just blogged, but He knew the whole story. He knew that one day, the book I dreamed of all my life would arrive in a different package, in an unexpected way.

That’s just like Him. And I’m so thankful that, although this book is exciting, He–and His methods–are the Most Exciting Thing. I just love thinking about it.

And I love you and wanted to thank you for the past 5 years. In another 5 years, we’ll have Volume 2.

Meanwhile, here’s the link to various ways to enjoy the book:

Createspace Estore 

Paperback from Amazon

Kindle edition 

I suppose I really have learned to go about God-ordained little tasks and let Him handle the outcome for me. It’s always better this way.

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  1. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I cannot tell you how many times I have cut and pasted your inspired words into a document and saved it for me to read again. Now they will be in a handy book! I'm off to Amazon now to get me a copy!

  2. Me, too, Gina! Merry Christmas to a bunch of my friends, my Mom, nieces, and sister-in-law. I'm so excited for you, Heather! Thank you, and congratulations!

  4. wonderful! I hope you've included the story about your lonely daughter finding Joy. I so loved that story. I even tried to find it in your archives to read again but evidently I was typing in the wrong words. Your book will go on my wish list. 🙂

  11. I'm so excited Heather; I'm trying to read through scrunchy, grinning eyes. I can't wait to get home and order my copy.
    Then I'll check to be sure all my favorites are included – or Volume 2 won't be able to wait 5 years!

  15. It's so neat how this happened! I blog too and sometimes wonder how what I write is affecting people or if people are even reading it. Maybe one day God will give me direction in where mine is meant to go. I know He has always inspired me to write from when I was a kid and I have a pretty sweet life to boot! So I will keep writing and see what God does with it. Love stories of inspiration like this!

  16. Keep writing, Rebekah! You have great insights and funny commentary! I have read some of your writing! Maybe a book for newly married folks? Awesome!!!

  17. You are so encouraging, Patricia! You have always been an encouragement. . . from the very beginning.

  21. LOL! Funny you say that. I have been told I could write a comedic newlywed book before with real inspiration! By the way, I just joined something called Bloglovin' to try and branch out some more. You might want to consider joining it to get more exposure and followers! 🙂

  22. Dr. H –
    I had you a few years ago in college (English 201). I still read your blog and find it a real source of inspiration as I try to navigate what it means to have faith in grad school. So glad to see that you found an outlet to publish and that you will be able to reach even more people with this! Congrats! 🙂