Once upon a time … isn’t that the way all the good stories start?
So, maybe it’s not the perfect beginning for mine, but it’s one of my favorites, so we’ll go with it.
Five years ago this November 1st, my very first book baby was published. FIVE YEARS! And back then, I had no idea what was in store for me. Probably wouldn’t have believed it if I had known.
You see, five years ago, a beautiful friend named Sandi Rog saw potential in my story. Well, maybe more like seven years ago when she first saw the potential. It took us a while to polish it up. But she saw enough shine beneath the dross that she decided to take a risk on it. And I became the very first book she published not written by herself.
It took me a year and a half to get the next one out. And another year and a half for the next, too.
Then, things picked up speed a bit. And as of last month, I have EIGHT books on Amazon with my name on them. Y’all, it’s crazy insane, but in a good way.
I’ve had four different publishers, worked with multiple editors, and have learned so much about being an author … like that I have to do all my own marketing. Ha! I’m definitely learning more with each book. And by the end of next year, I’ll have thirteen out. I never could have imagined way back in 2017 how richly God would bless me. With publishers. With friends and influences and a veritable writing family as well as fans. But He has.
I tell people I’m living the dream. It doesn’t look exactly like I imagined it might back in middle school, but still … I get to write my stories and see them become real novels you can hold in your hand. How amazing is that?
All because I wrote a story about two people meeting in a smoothie shop one Nanowrimo. And pitched that story to a friend who saw the potential and decided to take a risk. Sandi also probably never imagined all that might come from her decision. But I’m so glad she helped me start down this road.
We lost her earlier this year to cancer, but when I see her again in Heaven I’m going to give her a huge hug. And in the meantime, I’m going to continue to try and live up to the potential she saw so many years ago. And celebrate five years of living the dream.
Have you had any dreams come true? Do they look like you expected them to? Did anyone in your past become a huge influence over your future?
Smoothies brought them together, but would the past tear them apart?
When Chad Manning introduces himself to Jessica Garcia at her favorite smoothie shop, it’s like he stepped out of one of her romance novels. But as she tentatively walks into a relationship with this man of her dreams, secrets from their past threaten to shatter their already fragile bond. Chad and Jessica must struggle to figure out if their relationship has a chance or if there is nothing between them but a love of smoothies.
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
I love hearing about how books get written and how it works being an author. Sandi sounds like she was a wonderful person.
I have been lucky enough to have some things I dreamed about come true – I think the thing is, they are never quite like you think they’re going to be when you dream about them – so good, but in a different way than you thought they would be. I guess it’s God’s plan working for us, He knows so much better than we do.
He does know so much better than we do! And He has blessed me richly with so many amazing people on this journey.
Thanks for sharing how your dream came true.
God is in the business of giving us the desires of our hearts.
this is so cool to hear. glad that she saw potential and pursued it and you. I had a huge dream of being a quilter when in high school. mom and I took a class how to hand quilt. life got in the way and a husband and two children later I was able to pick up my dream again. 39 years later I am quilting to my hearts delight and learning constantly and giving quilts away. I love this sewing /quilting dream I am in. and best of all my husband supports me 100%. he and my mom were always my biggest supporters. mom always encouraged me to continue to learn and practice.
Love this!! My dream was only ever voiced to my Mom, and honestly, I never thought it would come to pass. Then, in January of 2020, God dropped it in my lap! That dream was being a proofreader/editor, and it has really taken off this year!! I thank God every day for giving it to me!
I remember Sandi well, too, though we never met in person. So.Many.Prayers for her!
Although I didn’t meet Sandi in person, it was obvious she was an encourager—and a fighter. Her presence in the writing community is missed.
As long as our desires align with His. ;) I am so glad this one did.
What a fun dream! I adore quilts and quilting.
Even if only voiced to your Mom, God heard. So glad your dream came true!
Yes! Her spirit was amazing. I want to have a faith like hers.
She was awesome. Definitely missed.
Thank you so much for sharing. My Mom always told me that I could do anything that I set my mind to do. God bless you.
My parents told me the same thing. :)
God has given me several things that I wanted but the funny thing is that they don’t look like I thought they would lol.
God’s version of our desires is always better than what we had expected.
I completely agree!
fun title
Thank you!
Aww, I love this ❤️ Congrats on five years of being a published author!
Thank you so much!