So many books. So little time.

So March has blown through and now we are into April, but I’m still going to give away more books. I had a great time at the Blue Lake Christians Writers Conference in the wilds of Alabama. I’m kind of high maintenance and this is a conference center and camp center. Dorm-type rooms and a charm that captures you in spite of the old showers and … uh … no room service. The first time I went, I was terrified. I’d been going through some personal stuff and I just needed a retreat. God knew this. It happened in a God way. A friend had loaned me a library book. He loved to read Florida-set stories and so did I. Only I forgot I had the book. He got fined and gently let me know to return it. When I got there, the library manager knew I wrote Christian fiction and told me about Blue Lake. It was scheduled for the next week. I went home and registered, getting in at the last minute. I didn’t want to go as a writer. I wanted to go as a woman who needed a spiritual retreat. It was hard to explain, but I wound up there in a deep mood and left scared to ever return because I got so emotional and overwhelmed. When people found out I’d written a lot of books, and mostly for Love Inspired, I got popular really quickly 🙂 I’d go to my room and write when I couldn’t sleep in the middle of the night. After it was over, I told my husband I might not go back. It was so different and I didn’t know a lot of the people. But I did go back and now I’m friends with all those people. I’ve given workshops there several times. I tell people Blue Lake saved me. It did. So even without room service, I survived and it has become a special place in my heart. If you have a writing dream, start somewhere small like Blue Lake and see how it will change your life. Watch for it next year. Here is the link:

bluelakecwr.com

The chapel

The view from my room at Blue Lake.

Now back to giving away books! I’ve so enjoyed this and it’ s helped me go down memory lane and think about all the good times I’ve had in this career. I’m slowing down a bit, but I’ll always have another story in my head.

Here are the winners from last week: Jane Squire, Mary Ann Draper, Rita Middleton, Betty Mace, and Carlita Walker. I will PM all of you for mailing info!

I’m catching up to the last few days of March, so I’ll have one more post on this month long celebration. I don’t go on and on to brag, but to show people that if we set goals and work toward those goals, despite the world and the voices shouting doubts into our heads, we can accomplish what we set out to accomplish. Dream big but set small goals–and you can have a career–work that works for you! (No matter what career you dream of having.) PS–this book is out now!! Yay!!!