Last night about 8:00, I finished my last run through of The Dream of Shiloh. Even after five go-throughs…I still find things I want to change. I have decided that no one ever finishes writing a book…it is an eternal process of revising, rewording, additions, and subtractions. Regardless, I am going to put this one in concrete.
On Monday afternoon, I am going to talk to a publishing consultant at Create Space and decide on a time for publication. The decision came after a lot of back and forth with myself. I would have loved to have the book published by a Christian book publisher, but I couldn’t cut enough of the story out to make it fit their “parameters” for a historical romance. I tried and did cut a few thousand words, but I think to remove any more would alter the story I am trying to tell. So, I’ll publish this one and try to make the next one “short” enough to offer for publication. I am just vain enough to want to see if I can write a book that someone wants to publish!
I have learned so much since I began this process of writing, editing, and thinking about publishing a book. I loved the writing part. At times I could hardly get the words on the page fast enough. I do believe that the Holy Spirit was pouring out the story for me and I was a scribe. Of course some of those productive times were followed by the bane of “writer’s block” when I could put two sensible words together for days at a time.
I found real joy living in the world of Mac and Laurel MacLayne in this state I love in the days leading up to the Civil War. When I found my new home site back in May of 2016, the story took on even more meaning for me, as my new and final home is only a quarter of a block off Old Greensboro Road, which is the Old Military Road I talk about in the Shiloh books.
Moving and publishing The Dream of Shiloh at the same time…truly a dream coming true. I am blessed. The Lord gave me a dream and a story. He also has taught me a lesson. If I will persist in His calling, He gives me purpose, joy, and a sense of significance. I wish all of you the same gifts! Happy 2017!!! And God bless us everyone.
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