Whispers in Purple is pleased to once again welcome author Julie Arduini back, this time sharing her writing story on Everything Old is New Again. PLUS, she's offering a free copy of this featured bool. See below for details.
Take it away, Julie.
My
“Entangled” Regret + #Giveaway
by Julie
Arduini
One fun tradition I enjoyed with my Surrendering Time
Series was hosting a book club at my home church after each release. What made
the meetings different was I gave exclusive behind-the-scenes secrets to
chapters, scenes, plot twists, and characters.
I remember the last meeting for Entangled, Book 2, we talked about the ending and I also shared the
first chapter for the final book in the series, Engaged. Then I shared my final secret.
I
really struggled writing Entangled.
I still feel guilty about that, because the feedback
was strongest for that book. The theme was surrendering regret, and I believe
God takes me through the theme first. When I was writing Entangled I felt God leading me to start my own writing and
speaking ministry, so I created Surrendered Scribe Media. It also meant I had
to re release the first book, Entrusted,
under Surrendered Scribe Media. Formatting for print and eBook are separate, so
by the end of Entangled, I actually
released four books within two weeks.
I also attended our oldest son’s out-of-state wedding
and hosted our other son’s high school graduation.
My stress was so high I literally made myself ill. I
forgot to eat and drink and ended up dehydrated and honestly, bitter.
Yet, a month or so later after starting the book club,
I was struck with my own regret. The ladies were devouring Entangled. They were finding treasures from God I didn’t even know
I wrote. They dug far deeper into the book than I had. They were having fun. I
had not, and I regretted that.
I think being overwhelmed was a big factor, and I also
couldn’t relate to the heroine like I had with Jenna in Entrusted. Carla is a single mom full of regret because she became
a mom when she was still in high school. She was gifted an amazing opportunity
and struggled the entire time because she felt undeserving. Carla’s
unworthiness was so deep she sabotaged her blessings. It was a difficult
situation to write. Two years later, I’m in awe of Carla. She’s stronger than
she gives herself credit for. Turns out, I learned a lot about myself through
her, especially when it comes to surrendering regret.
Now I can say I’m really proud of Entangled.
Excerpt:
A twenty-minute run. That’s all I need. Just enough time to feel
free.
Instead, the Hamilton County DA places a neon green gift bag in my
hand. He then looks to the crowd. “Just forty-eight hours and our very own
Carla Rowling will go from handcuffs to haircuts.”
The Piseco Inn meeting room is wall-to-wall people. My fellow law
enforcement, paramedic, and fire and rescue colleagues hand me gifts and joke
at the idea of me leaving for beauty school.
I paste on a smile as I lift a pair of black running shoes with
hot pink trim from layers of tissue paper, but my focus is on my breathing.
Steady and even. Like when I’m running.
“From squad car to standing all day. What a switch.” Fred Beebe,
retired bank president, grins.
I stand and balance my arm on Joanie, the county dispatcher, as I
slip off the three-inch heels I borrowed from my best friend Jenna and try on
the comfy shoes.
“Hey, Carla! Will you wear those as you run with scissors to chase
perps out of your hair salon?” Jack Hunt, my replacement, snorts from laughing
too hard.
“Do they fit?” Joanie looks to the empty box on the floor where
wrapping paper and ribbon litter the area.
I nod, let go, and sit. “They’re so comfortable I’m going to wear
them for the rest of my party.” And as soon as I can, break these sneakers in. There's nothing like the feel of new
running shoes, and no better time to use them than when the walls feel like
they’re closing in.
Will Marshall, my truck-driving boyfriend of less than a year,
adjusts his bright orange hunting cap and places his hand over mine. “Carla,
those shoes are going to be great for the long days at your salon.” He turns to
Joanie and winks. “What a nice gift. You all have the best ideas to transform
our favorite sheriff to our new stylist.”
Looking around, I see my former colleagues from around Hamilton,
the only county in New York State that doesn’t have traffic lights. The people
smile and chant my name. Their grins seem sincere as they point to the table
full of packages. Gifts I’ll never deserve.
“C’mon, keep opening your presents so we can have cake.” My
thirteen-year old son, Noah, never wastes time, especially when it comes to
food. He walks over and grabs a stack of wrapped boxes
I sigh and rest my moist hands on my lap. “Okay. Hand me another.
By the looks of that pile, we’ll be here all week.”
Will chuckles. “Sweetie, you don’t have that kind of time. You
start beauty school in two days.”
I glance at the door, my breathing no longer steady, but fast.
Beads of sweat form at my hairline and I regret not putting my hair in a
ponytail without bangs. Probably everyone’s counting the perspiration drops
falling on my jeans.
I have to run.
Julie Arduini loves to
encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the
chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past, and ENGAGED:
Surrendering the Future. FINDING FREEDOM THROUGH SURRENDER is her 30 day
devotional using the surrender themes and characters from the series. She also
shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her
latest release, YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, is a book for girls ages 10-100, written with
her teenaged daughter, Hannah. Julie blogs every other Wednesday for Christians
Read, and also is a blogger for Inspy
Romance. She resides in Poland with her
husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com,
where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of
resources and giveaway opportunities.
Where to find Julie:
Julie says ... I’d love to give away a free copy of Entangled. Leave a comment below with
something that was hard for you to surrender, and I’ll choose a random winner
to receive a copy of Entangled. US
winner can choose between softcover or eBook. International winner
automatically receives eBook. If you need ideas, Entrusted was about surrendering fear, loss, and change. Entangled was about regret, and Engaged was about surrendering dreams
for God’s plans. Drawing ends one week from today on Monday, July 2, at Midnight CDT.
