Beginnings, Middles, and Endings
by Sally Chambers
(with a giveaway - details below)
Nothing like retiring from a long, wonderful career in insurance and deciding that the writing you so dearly love doing for fun is suddenly free to become a passion!
Even while running my office, I’d been writing occasional articles for small magazines and a local newspaper, devotionals for The Upper Room, and fiction for KidzChat, Sunday school lessons, even attending the Florida Writers Conference. Maybe I could try writing a novel.
A few years later, I’d been working on my nearly-finished first book, The Stonekeepers, and was already looking forward to doing something new and different. But before beginning something new shouldn’t I complete what I started? Was I jumping ahead of the Lord’s plans for me?
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
On a cool, sunny Florida morning in December, I walked into the mall to pick up our favorite brand of coffee. I’d been thinking and praying over the second novel taking shape in my mind. Characters evolved. Settings imagined became final. The story would launch from Solvang, California, move to Sao Paulo, Brazil, then Manaus, Brazil and the beautiful Amazon rainforest. I’d been doing tons of research, mind-wandering through ideas and looking for confirmation, wondering if all this work was within the Lord’s will.
I passed a small travel agency. Beside the open doorway, a display table sat laden with slick, full-color brochures. Sensing a firm nudge that there was something on that table I needed to see, I stopped, retracing my steps.
I had to smile, standing there studying those brochures. In the center of the display, a pamphlet on South America all but invited me to pick it up. I flipped through the pages amazed at descriptions and offers of tours in Brazil—with featured visits to both Manaus and Sao Paulo. No, I wouldn’t be taking a tour, but to me, this was vivid assurance I was on the right track.
Thanks, Lord! How could I not accept such sweet confirmation? I’ll pray and think about it.
Not only did I pray and think, I received more confirmation. Like friends who knew a missionary couple who’d served in both Manaus and in the Amazon rainforest. Could I interview them? I could, and I did. ☺
I’ve had so much encouragement in the time between then and now. I’m grateful for friends and family, for workshops and critiques courses, and more as the story grew into the 300 plus page novel it is today. Out of the Shadows, was released by my publisher, Deb Haggerty’s Elk Lake Publishing, Inc., last month.
I enjoy taking my time to write my contemporary inspirational suspense with its heartwarming thread of romance. I like doing the research, am challenged with brainstorming over what happens next. My novels are woven through time. As I did when I had a career, I write around and through life as it happens. Not the way to become a prolific writer, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Writing has increased my faith and kept me closer than breath to my heavenly Father.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV)
Some final thoughts. You’re never too old to begin something new. When you aren’t sure what to do next, lay out everything before the Lord, ask, listen and expect then wait and watch and receive. He is with you in your walk, always. No one loves you more.
View the video book trailer of Out of the Shadows.
About Sally:
My husband, Jerry, and I live in sunny, sub-tropical Florida. Happy to have our two married children living within driving distance, our grandchildren and great grandchildren visit from the UK and Colorado. Since retiring from my career in insurance, I’ve focused on my love of writing.
An author of Christian fiction, I enjoy writing for women of all ages, creating suspenseful, faith-filled stories with a dash of romance. I was thrilled to be a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s inaugural First Impressions Contest and have won awards for poetry and short stories.
One of my favorite things to do is to walk on the beach and anywhere there’s a trail. I love reading to children, writing, reviewing and editing for writer friends, having fun taking photos with my iPhone, and reading, especially mystery, suspense, adventure.
If there are ten or more comments, Sally will give away TWO Kindle eBooks – Out of the Shadows. If less than ten comments, she’ll give away one Kindle eBook copy.
Optional question for fun: A reply to the following question:
Optional question for fun: A reply to the following question:
Have you ever used a bow and arrow or paddled a canoe?
(Not answering the question won’t affect your eligibility to win.)
Leave your comment below with your name and contact information (so we can contact you if you're the winner) to enter.
Giveaway ends one week from today on August 23 at Midnight CDT.
Note: If you follow this blog (see sidebar) and make note of it in your comments, you'll get an extra entry in the giveaway.
Leave your comment below with your name and contact information (so we can contact you if you're the winner) to enter.
Giveaway ends one week from today on August 23 at Midnight CDT.
Note: If you follow this blog (see sidebar) and make note of it in your comments, you'll get an extra entry in the giveaway.
