A bit of news

Uh yeah, I am encouraged. Here is the email response I received this week from Paul. No, I am not counting on this (desperately hoping yes) but I wanted to share the encouragement! 

 

Hi, Becki—

Please accept my apologies for being so long in responding to your proposal…2013 has started just like 2012 ended, and that’s busily!

At this point, I don’t have a definitive word on your proposal, but wanted to pass along some observations and ideas:

1)      The two sample chapters are well written and compelling…I did find tears coming to my eyes as I read parts. My reaction might be stronger because I’ve met you and know some of the other players in the drama…but you’ve certainly done a good job of committing a very difficult story to paper.
2)      The forgiveness angle is a good one for a story like this…I think that, no matter how compelling the crime story is, what will make the book speak to readers is the redemptive takeaway. And I truly appreciate all that I know of your family’s reaction, both immediately and long term, to your loss.
3)      From the first time you and I first spoke here at Barbour, I’ve struggled to see this as a traditional “Barbour book”—since so much of what we do is not author-driven, and often on the lighter devotional/inspirational side, it’s been hard to see our publishing house doing your story justice. Often, when we’ve tried to break away from our lighter, mass-appeal approach, we just haven’t succeeded. However…
4)      …having said that, I wonder if there might be a way to tie your manuscript into some other projects that we have high hopes for. I hesitate to go into detail at this point, and possibly create hopes that  could be disappointed later…but I will say I see a little more chance for success at this time than when we talked a few years back.

All that to say, Becki, I’d like to talk more with our publishing team, to see what, if anything, we might be able to do with your story. It’s certainly a powerful story, both in the event itself and your reaction to that.

We should be meeting with our team in the next week or so, and I’ll try to follow up soon afterwards. But please feel free to check in with any questions or comments until then.

Thank you, and God bless!

Paul

Progress...sort of

I sent out the query letter and proposal on Monday of this week. At about 11:30 a.m.

Yesterday (Tuesday) at about 4:15 p.m. I received a response. Not a no, but not a yes either. However, I am encouraged nonetheless.

Here is the response:

Hi, Becki—

Just a quick note to acknowledge your message…thanks for sending this my way. We’re in a bit of a scramble right now, catching up on some overdue planning for the next list, so please allow me a little time to digest this new proposal.

This is a tough genre for Barbour—the personal story that teaches a life lesson in long form—but I want to give your material a careful and fair consideration.

I’ll be in touch, but please feel free to check in if you have any questions or comments along the way.

Thank you!

Paul

 So, I will plan my next WIP and update and add to the devotional that I wrote to go along with Through My Tears.

Then above all else I must trust that God has it all under control. He knows best. And I must desire His will above everything else.

That is hard.

All prayers are STILL appreciated!

Gearing up

Today I began the arduous duty of updating my book proposal. Since the school shootings in Connecticut, my heart has been wrenched. I so wish I had something that could comfort those parents. I understand their pain (to a point) and wish I could share my experience with them to help them have hope.

So, I begin sending queries and proposals...and pray.



We have settled into our new home very nicely. We love it. Below you can see the server/windowseat in my kitchen.
 

 We certainly downsized and I am still getting rid of things. I made yet another trip to Goodwill to drop off more "stuff" like blankets, table runners, pictures and so on. Hopefully this week and part of next I will get back down to the basement and do some more organizing. Jeff is going to build more shelves, and remodel a counter/cupboard for my scrapbook stuff. It will be splendid to have a place to actually work on stuff and not have to clean it up so we can eat supper there. I usually work on the dining room table. (See photo below of dining room)



 Here is a photo of the kitchen, I have done a lot more to it since this was taken.



Jeff spent much of the weekend in the garage organizing it to his liking. He enjoyed the warmer temperatures we experienced and that spurred him on.

So, I will post more photos soon, but for now you'll just have to be satisfied with these.

I had opportunity to go out with my bestie and a couple of other girlfriends last week. Had so much fun laughing and shopping. I love it when I get to do that. Girl time is great.

So, I am just spending time playing here on my blog when I need to finish my proposal...See you soon.

2013

Wishing all of you a Happy and healthy 2013!

Merry CHRISTmas

As I finish preparing for Christmas and all of the festivities before and after, I am reminded that there is only ONE reason for this celebration and that is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

These past many days have brought with them many changes to our world, and to our lives personally.

On December 9th Jeff's dad, Jim Reiser passed away at the age of 86. Jeff had the opportunity to go to Michigan and visit with him during his last good hours. It was good for both of them and Jeff felt God urging the visit. It had been many years since Jeff has seen his father because of Jim moving to Northern Michigan. So glad he made the effort as it was rewarded. We will be having a private memorial service to celebrate his life this coming week.

Everyone in this nation was affected by the horrible death of the 26 people in Newtown Connecticut. My heart hurt so badly for those children, and their parents as well as the adults that died protecting those babies. The only consolation I am able to find in my heart is that I know those children are safe in the arms of God. I tend to forget that evil is so rampant in this world. I get busy with "life" that I don't think about how tragedy occurs daily. Yes, our family was struck with this twelve and a half years ago with the abduction and murder of our daughter, Liz.

I guess I close myself off from things to help hold grief at bay. It's so difficult knowing that my life will never be the same as it was. I miss Liz so much. I miss her giggle. I miss her perfume. I miss her excitement about life. I miss her hugs. I am looking forward to seeing her again in Heaven.

I grieve for those parents that lost children. My heart hurts for them. I wish as most of us do that there was something I could do to help them. I wish my book was published so I could share our story and perhaps it could help someone deal with their loss.

OK. I am done being melancholy.

I need to focus on the blessings that we do have. Our family, our new home and the love of good friends.

I have children coming home in the next two days so I must close this post for now. Merry, Merry Christmas.

I pray that you all have a Christ filled Christmas, and a healthy and Happy New Year.

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! There is so much to be thankful for. Today, at this moment, I have all three of my son's sleeping under our "new" roof. Jordan's unscheduled arrival on Monday has been wonderful. Micah and Christopher were planning on being here, and yesterday Christopher arrived after his classes ended at U of A. The tradition of my hubby, Jeff and our "boys" going rabbit hunting on Thanksgiving morning took place a few hours early since we thought that Jordan was going to have to  leave to go back to Indiana to work today. Apparently he is going to leave later or will be able to stay through Friday. Let's hope for the latter.

My guys love Thanksgiving. I do too. Last night they were working on getting Jeff's old Lionel train set to work. It hasn't run for over 35 years and they worked on it till it ran. It is now happily nestled under our Christmas tree that we put up on Tuesday night. Yes, I have my tree up before Thanksgiving. Trust me this is huge. Jordan wanted to put it up before he had to go back home. We thought he would have to leave yesterday. So, I am pretty tickled that not only Jordan helped without complaint0, but Micah was in there assembling the tree and stringing lights too. It's been fourteen Christmases ago that I had this much help putting up the tree. Liz loved Christmas and she always lent a hand or two.

Our lives have had such a change since our move last month. We love our little home. It is only two bedrooms (down from four) but so homey. I think that it is part of the reason that the boys (men) are home for this holiday. It was important for them to be here.

Micah will be leading worship this Sunday morning at the Uhrichsville Christian Fellowship and this momma will be one happy momma listening to that.

Our family will celebrate with Jeff's mother and sister and family today and tomorrow we will celebrate with my sister and family. Lots of good food (which I better get busy on) and lots of good family time.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and may God bless you.

My world has changed and so has my address.

Wow, my last post was July 25...a lifetime ago. So much has happened! On October 27 we moved  into our new home. It's not a new house, but it is fully remodeled and redecorated. We have downsized. I pitched tons of stuff, and still have more to get rid of.

My last post talked about NOT being a hoarder...ummm, yeah about that. Perhaps I was on the verge (my hubby and sons would say I was) of living that way mostly in the basement. Well I have a nice basement here, and I still have a lot of stuff, but beginning next week, I will be organizing it before the holidays. Most stuff is in boxes and totes--easy to move and organize, and see what I REALLY need and what I DON'T.

I loved the time we lived on the farm, but I am already loving our little brick ranch house. It's so homey. I like new beginnings and redecorating. Updating and so on.

I have promised myself that if I buy something new, I MUST get rid of something old.

In the world of publishing, there is nothing happening. I was not accepted as a client with the literary agency I hoped, and with the move it has all been put on hold. After I am settled I will have to begin my search once again and pray that He will lead me to the right one.

I must press forward, and I will.

I will attempt to blog more often, and post a few photos.