And then there were two!
When you find the end of one story, then it’s time to move on to the next story. That’s what I did. You already know that The Forbidden Yearning was actually the third novel I wrote, just the first one to find a publisher. Shamrocks, my working title for the first book I wrote and my cattle drive book never made it off the reject shelf but they gave me practice coming up with characters and stories and romances and whatever else was in those long ago stories. So long ago, I can hardly remember that I wrote them. I really can’t remember a lot about my first two published books except that I was on the writing road and I was more than excited to have two books accepted and published by a national publisher.
But wow, did I have so much to learn! I was so very young and with no experience with the publishing world. I had a great editor at Warner Books named Fredda. She called me on the phone several times to talk about the first book. Said she loved the story and what author isn’t happy to hear that from anybody but especially an editor. I kept detailed journal notes about every part of that early publishing path. The editor wanted to change the name to Forests of the Heart. She said that showed the wilderness and the romance. As you can see, her title was eventually pitched out for The Forbidden Yearning. There is a forbidden romance in the story after my character promises to marry one man but ends up with another. I’d have to read the story again to remember how that happened. Not sure I’d want to do that. I’d see how much my writing needed to improve.
Even skimming through the journal entries is a little cringe worthy. As I said, I was so young. But I was happy as my book began to find its way out to stores. I was supposed to get a box of copies, but for some reason that I guess I didn’t know since I don’t have that in my journal, I didn’t get them until months after the book began to be in stores. I worried that the winter would be snowy like some of the recent ones had been and that no one would be able to get to the stores to find my book. I have to shake my head at myself now.
I became quite the sensation in my little hometown. I had a tea at the library. My hometown paper wrote an article about my book and me. The two daily papers in the state interviewed me. The picture one of them used – the reporter took it – was terrible. I looked like some kind of nut. Thank goodness the other paper put a picture of the book instead of me.
No bookstore in my little town, but the two drugstores got copies of my book that sold out fast. People began asking me to autograph copies. I read my first review. It was awful. I said I’d never read another, but of course, I have.
People in my hometown, some who had never read a book, read mine. It was fun when they told me that. I was fun when other readers gave that best of all lines an author wants to hear. “I couldn’t put it down.” I soaked up the good words like a sponge. I was in writers’ heaven especially after I sent off the book I’d written while I was waiting for the first one to come out and Fredda bought my second book a week after my agent submitted it to her. I was a two book author.
One of my aunts asked me if it was harder to write the second book than the first. Of course, it was really my fourth instead of second, but I had to think about her question. In some ways it was harder since I had to think of new ways to describe things and people. But mostly it was harder because of being afraid I might not write a book as good as the first one. I’m not sure I did. I think I probably didn’t, but it too was on the publishing path. The setting was a horse farm during the Civil War. It had history, but centered on the love story and the horse farm. I liked the title they picked. It described the divided thoughts that many Kentucky families were feeling during the war. But once it was safely on the way to being published I was ready to start book 5. When I looked around for Kentucky history, I noted the Shaker Village first established here in Kentucky in 1805. I also worked in history of the War of 1812.
That second book, A Heart Divided, got stalled at the publishers and the release date was put back a year. While I’d been expecting the book to be out in 1979, now it was scheduled for the end of 1980. But I kept writing and finished my Shaker book that I think I titled A Gift of Love. I always referred to my books in my journal by only the main female character’s name. So this Shaker book was Gabrielle. I sent it off and then those dreadful weeks of waiting to hear what my agent and then editor thinks began. When those weeks turned into months, I knew things weren’t going the way I wanted.
They didn’t. Fredda who had been so excited about my other stories did not like this one. I was back on reject road. My agent was sorry but would try other publishing houses. Unfortunately, other houses didn’t grab it up. Eventually I talked to Fredda again about the book Warners was publishing, A Heart Divided. She still seemed interested in reading future work if I could make the story work. She said I had a gift for “tenderness.” Gabrielle didn’t find a publishing home for many many years. But that’s a story for another episode of my writing journey.
The main thing at this point in my journey was that I had already started down the road of a new story. New history. New characters. And although I was very disappointed about the Shaker book being rejected, I was neck deep in a new story that I was excited about. So when I was out and about in town and people asked me if I was still writing, I always said I was working on a new story. I didn’t say so, but perhaps they were able to see on my face that I hadn’t given up hope. I was keeping on keeping on.
I had been on a high with a book out on the market and with another due out soon. I could hide my low about the rejection for a while and I was especially excited about the new story. I learned a valuable lesson for a writer. For anyone, I suppose. When one thing doesn’t work, that doesn’t mean you have to give up. It just means you have to give it another shot. As the hockey player, Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.”
I wasn’t about to not try to take another shot at getting one of my stories out there for readers.
Remember, the giveaway is still going on. I’ll pick two winner who will win their choice of one of my autographed books. The deadline to enter is August 23, 2025 and you need to be at least 18 years old to enter. Any comment on a new post before the deadline will get you another entry into the giveaway. Any comment will do, but I do enjoy hearing from you all.
Have you ever been hit by a setback that made you have to stand up, dust yourself off, and try again?
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Many times. You put one foot in front of the other and just keep on keeping on.
Author
That keeps you moving, Lisa, and if you pray with those footsteps, you can get on through whatever bumps and swags are in your road ahead.
After working in the secretarial field for many years, I was employed for about 15 years at a large corporate firm. Six months after turning 60 years old, I was unexpectedly told I was no longer employed, given a severance package, and escorted from the building before 10:00 a.m., without being allowed to say goodbye to anyone. I’d always had a strong work ethic and felt very loyal to my bosses. I felt very washed up and too old to be valuable to any company. The hurt felt very personal. After 3 months of trying to figure out my next steps, the Lord provided a great position with a smaller similar firm, and I happily worked for another 7 years. Now I’m retired, and enjoying extra time for church activities, grandchildren, and being blessed by great faith-based novels, like yours.
I’m loving reading your blog. The journey of a writer is so interesting. I’ve enjoyed so many of your books, and just finished The Song of Sourwood Mountain. I search for faith-based historical books from conservative-type publishers. Somehow, I always easily slip into the world of the characters you create.
Author
I can imagine how upsetting that was to you, Susan. To be so suddenly told you no longer had a job and then to so unceremoniously usher you out of the building. That would make anybody feel bad. I’m glad the Lord blessed you with a new opportunity where your skills were appreciated for more years.
So glad you are enjoying your retirement now. I can imagine the fun you are having with your grandchildren. I’ve had some fun times with mine too, especially when they were younger. They are all spreading their wings and finding their way out to college . Well, three are still in high school and busy with things kids do at that age.
Thanks for your sweet words about my characters and how you can experience their world when you read my stories. Oh, and I’m glad you’re enjoying reading about my writing journey. That has me smiling.
As you know, I have read all of your books! I would love to read A Forbidden Yearning and A Heart Divided! I’m sure they are probably out of print now, but, is there someway that I could get copies of them? Or even borrow your copies of which I will definitely return! Thanks ahead of time and I’m anxiously awaiting your new book, whenever it comes out!!!
Author
I hesitate to even suggest anyone read those two early books, Linda Diane. I’m sure if I reread them myself now, I’d want to do a pile of editing to make them better. But if you seriously want to read them, they are out there in the used books online. If you can’t find them, get in touch and we’ll work something out.
The setbacks of our past help to make us the people we are today.
I was in an abusive marriage for almost 27 years. I was seen as a weak, indecisive person. I have grown so much because of what I endured. Today I am seen as a confident, strong and intelligent woman.
Author
I’m glad you were able to overcome those dreadful years and come out a stronger person, Elaine. The Lord can make good come from bad, but it’s still hard to go through such difficult trials. I hope not only others see you as confident, strong and intelligent, but that you see yourself that way too.
Author
I am glad that I kept on writing and getting better at writing stories, BN100, Dana, and Diana. I suppose anything a person works at and practices doing, that person gets better. So some of my writing that never found readers were practice. Some of my books that did find readers also helped me get better at putting words together to paint the right pictures and share the stories I wanted to tell.
Dana, I think we can see the value of persistence as we get older and understand that if we keep trying that we might just accomplish what we set out to do.
I believe I told you this story but maybe not. My mother was sick with cancer and I would read the Hollyhill Series to her. She recognized so much about our little town. Those are precious memories I have of us together and all because of that series.
I am going to look through the list of your books there may be a couple I have missed.
I enjoy reading all of them. I can sit and relax and wander off to wherever the book is set. I love the way you describe things. So easy to place yourself there.
Keep at it!! We all have our ups and downs.
Author
That is such a sweet memory, Brenda. I think we should do more reading to one another, but with all the electronic devices we have, the opportunity doesn’t arise that often. I’m glad you and your mother were able to share those hometown stories. I did use the Main Street as I remembered it in the 1960s and even slipped a few real events into some of the stories. With changes, of course. When I give a talk that has my hometown readers in the crowd, I always make sure to say that none of the characters are based on real people and that that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. But your mom might have caught some similarities here and there.
Thank you for reading my stories. And yes, we do all have those ups and downs.
I don’t think I knew about A Heart Divided. I just found it in The Open Library so I will definitely check it out and read it.
I’m sure I have had setbacks. I have tried to leave them in the past and not “stew” on them. If I needed to make changes, I did, otherwise I left it behind.
You have more books than I realized that you do. I would say you have been/are successful!
Author
Haven’t we all, Loretta? Sounds as if you have the perfect attitude for handling those setbacks. It is easy to do that “stewing” and never get on with it. I guess with my books, I simply tried to make the next one better or hoped I could anyway.
So glad you kept writing. I started reading your books with the Shaker books. But I did find and ordered The Forbidden Yearning.
Author
That’s neat, Janice, that you are interested in those early books of mine. Just don’t expect too much. I wrote those a long time ago and I’m sure I may have lacked some in my writing then. 🙂 But the history might be good.
I’m sure there has been plenty of setbacks for me over the years, but a particular one does not come to my mind at the moment.
I’m glad you didn’t get discouraged with having some of your books turned down. You had a lot of determination and it has paid off in you being an accomplished writer now.
Author
I suppose most anyone who has been around a few years has had a setback or two, Connie. I think that holds true no matter what you do.
The thing is with writers even being an accomplished writer doesn’t help if you aren’t writing what publishers are thinking people are wanting to read. Of course, these days a writer can self-publish a book if they don’t want to go the traditional publishing path. But even that takes a lot of determination and belief in your stories.
It’s good that you kept trying.
Yes! And my first instinct is to give up but I have become more persistent as I got older and also try to model for my children.
good you continued to try
Yes! What first comes to mind was doing ceramics when we had a craft shop in military housing. You would buy the liquid slip, pour it into molds, clean the greenware, have it fired, add glaze and have it refired again. The first finished project was a celery serving dish I sent my MIL. I would cringe when she put it out with pieces of greenware under the glaze. She’d use it every Thanksgiving and refuse to give it back when I finally learned how to clean greenware properly and pieces were nice enough to give as gifts. I even bought some molds as the craft shop molds lacked detail. When my husband left the military and we moved here, there was no longer access to the craft shop or anywhere to do this , but I was always glad I didn’t give up after that celery dish!
Author
Thanks for sharing your story, Jeanne. I don’t know much, well hardly anything about doing ceramics or pottery. But sounds as if you jumped in and enjoyed learning and doing. As for the dish you made for your MIL and how she always used it, I’m sure that was because she was so proud of it and felt so loved by you gifting it to her. She no doubt loved the piece and wanted to use it on special occasions. A bonus was that you could always look at it and see how much better you had gotten at your craft.
I’m so glad you didn’t give up, and I’m especially glad you didn’t give up on the Shakers novels. They were the reason I started reading your books.
Author
I’m glad those Shaker novels caught your interest and pulled you toward my books, Tammy. The next post will be how that first Shaker novel came to be, but it was a long road before it was out there for you and others.
Oh, wow, way more than once!! Honestly, the hardest was when Mom passed. As one of my uncles once told me, it’s a whole different ballgame when both parents are gone!! He was sooooo right!! Family dynamics changed when Mom’s passing, and I’ve learned to depend and rely on God in ways I never had to before. That’s the best thing that’s come out of this, my relationship with God has deepened even more than I ever thought possible.
Author
Sometimes changes, Trudy, and hard things can make us turn to the Lord and find that closer relationship that can help us through the sad times and then boost us during the happy times too. Sometimes we can seem so blind to all the joy that can be ours if we only turn our eyes on the Lord.
I think losing our mothers is always hard, especially when they have been friends and confidants and cheerleaders for us and so much more.
What an interesting career path in writing you’ve had. So glad you were able to keep getting up and trying even harder! I keep thinking about your question to answer, but right now can’t think of an answer. I guess losing my husband would be the only thing that comes to mind. It was so hard getting back to school, church, and even local places without my husband. I avoided people and didn’t want to answer questions about his death. Even now, it’s hard sometimes. But, I know God is with me always! That’s the best news!
Author
Losing your partner in life would definitely be a hard time, Susan, and more than a mere setback in a career path. Everything had to have changed for you and all the old things you did had to be approached in new ways. Depending on the Lord to help you had to be the best thing ever for you. A best thing for any of us when faced with challenges or even on those ordinary days.