Messages from Reading Friends

I just sent out a newsletter, and now I’m getting responses from many of my newsletter readers. I love hearing from readers. That’s one reason I like sharing my journal here on One Writer’s Journal because of how some of you often join in the conversation. In the past with my newsletter, I’ve asked for stories about all sorts of things — mothers, grandmother wisdom, favorite birthdays, favorite Christmas presents, and more. Sort of the same as I often leave you with a question here on my posts.

Of course, I always have a giveaway when I send out a newsletter. So, that does encourage responses. Over the years, I have gathered many reading friends just through reading your comments and messages about my books and writing. If you think you are on my e-mail newsletter list and didn’t get my news, check your Spam folders. If you still don’t find it, message me or tell me in a comment and I’ll send a copy to you. If you don’t think you’re signed up and you’d like to be, it’s easy. Just fill out the newsletter sign-up form in the margin here or let me know and I’ll add you.

But back to a few encouraging comments that have come to me about my books in the past. The first is from Joso who picked up my book, When the Meadow Blooms, because she has a granddaughter names Meadow. Isn’t that fun? What makes you pick up a book?

Thank you for your beautifully written story, “When The Meadow Blooms”. I was attracted to the title because my granddaughter is named Meadow. Your story telling kept me reading into the wee hours and I just read the last page. I wish the characters were real people so I could go hug each one. (Joso)

How neat is it that Joso turned the last page and immediately send me a message about the story. Love that she wanted to hug my characters. Sienna and Calla did seem to be begging for reader hugs in that story.

You are an awesome author. I enjoyed your book “These Healing Hills” from beginning to end. It was very interesting and a subject I have never read about. You did a perfect job of portraying the nurse midwives and local residents. I feel blessed to have come across your book at my local library. I’m sending you this note from  WA. … God bless you and may you have many years ahead to share your wonderful God given skills with your readers. One of my favorite books ever.  (Mary O.)

Mary’s message was a mood booster for sure. First, it’s good to know my book was in her library. I love libraries. And I really enjoyed researching the Frontier Nursing Service and the midwives there for this story. I can learn so much while researching. I hope my readers learn a little too.  Nancy, in the following message, also liked going to the hills with my fictional midwife, Francine.

“My favorite book is These Healing Hills …it took me back to old times on my Grandparents farm in KY. My G G Grandma was an herb DR. I cherish the stories of the old days…and the many good times on the farm. I remember playing in the creek, getting the hay in with wagon, mules and pitch forks, my uncle washing his car in the creek, hoeing corn and tobacco, drawing water from the well and everyone drinking from that tin dipper…with no thoughts of germs!!” ~Nancy

I remember some  of the same things about my growing up years as  Nancy did. I loved playing in creeks and have been along when other drove their cars out into a creek to wash it. I remember helping my dad load haybales by dragging them across the field over to his truck or wagon. We had a cistern instead of a well, but we did have the water bucket and a dipper.

Kay joined in the  conversation with a comment about Nancy’s comment. Love it when that happens,

I also just finished the book and would love to see a series. I have great respect for the people that were able to be self sufficient as a community. I think teachers during that time and location would be great subjects too. I am not from the mountains but did grow up in a similar lifestyle. The doctor that came to the house to deliver me went squirrel hunting until he thought it was time. I was number eleven delivered at home. Mom had older daughters to help her, but I remember several ladies in the community that supported themselves by staying with families with newborns. (Nancy)

I’m like Nancy. I’m not from the mountains, but I’m a country girl who grew up on a farm without any of the conveniences many others took for granted at the time. The same as Nancy, the doctor came to my house to deliver me. But I’m pretty sure, well, absolutely sure, that the doctor didn’t go off squirrel hunting while my mother was getting ready to give birth. I was my mom’s third child. Nancy’s mother had already had plenty of experience having babies since this was her eleventh child. Also, when my grandmother had her children, she had them at home and a lady did come stay with her for a few days after the birth.

And now I’m reading reviews and comments about my new book, A Chance for Kallie Mae.

It’s been a little while since I’ve read a story based in an Appalachian setting, but every time I read one I remember how much I love them. A Chance for Kallie Mae is no exception and the way Gabhart takes your hand and slowly walks you through the house, the sass patch out back filled with goodies, and into the lingering woods behind the house, will have you settling into the same feeling. A book where the setting is as much the story as the characters are, transported me into my very own holler and set the stage for what I knew would be a beautiful story about perseverance. (Ashley B)

Then some time ago I got this encouraging message from Betty. Perhaps she got some new readers for me by sharing my books.

You have become my favorite writer, as your stories make one feel they are living inside the book.  KEEP UP THE GOOD, HARD WORK.  I know you are making many people happy.  All of my books are loaned out for reading.  I have several friends that are “book worms” and I pass the books to the first in line, and they are returned when the last person on the list is finished.  Plus, I try to buy online from Thrift Books to keep the cost of books from eating up all of my Social Security.

My biggest problem — there are books all over my house.  So——–when I die I am not going the natural way, but will drown in books. (Betty K.)

Her last line made me smile. I have an overflowing bookcase too. So many that I talked a man at my church into making one of those little free library boxes so that I can share some of the books I’ve already read. Since I live on a lane where only the neighbors drive past my house, I talked the church into putting the box up in the churchyard. That’s out in the country too, but with more traffic past it. Now if folks want they can stop by and get some Christian fiction or maybe a devotional book. I put two old National Geographic magazine in there last week and they are gone. So maybe somebody is checking out the offerings in the Free Little Library. I hope so.

Have you ever found a book to read in a Free Little Library? Or written an author after you read one of his or her books?