Why You Should Never, never, never give up!

Ever feel like you’ll run out of time before you accomplish all your dreams and plans? Before you give up, you may want to read these stats:

• Colonel Harland Sanders was 65 when he launched his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise business;
• Grandma Moses was 78 when she began oil painting;
• Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when she started writing her Little House on the Prairie series;
• And Myrrha Stanford-Smith, an 82-year-old teacher, landed a 3-book deal for her fictional accounts of William Shakespeare. Read about it here.

Makes you want to go out and skip some rope, doesn’t it?

Please don't give up on your dreams.

God hasn't.

Follow Him; He'll lead you to the fulfillment of all your dreams,
and more. 

 

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).  

 

 

What dreams are you holding in your heart today? 

Don't Quit

Please Don't Quit So Soon!

When we moved to Paris, IL from Los Angeles thirteen years ago, I met a man who had lost both arms in a farming accident eighteen years before, when he was twenty. I asked him if I could write his story of perseverance and faith for the world to read. I'd seen an ad from Chicken Soup for the Soul, asking for stories suitable for men. I knew Delbert's story would fit perfectly.

After weeks of interviewing Delbert, writing, rewriting, and revising, my story was complete. I submitted it to Chicken Soup, and they accepted it. I signed a contract. I think my husband and I even went out to dinner--my favorite sport--to celebrate.

Eight years went by. I never heard back from Chicken Soup. I wrote to them and they told me they'd not published the book for men, that I was free to send the story elsewhere. I sent it to Guideposts, and they published it in their Extraordinary Answers to Prayer anthology.

My story, "I Told You So," finally appeared in this Guideposts book eight years after I wrote it!

In the meantime, I've continued to submit Chicken Soup for the Soul stories that I thought would fit their needs. Although I've published stories in six other anthologies and my own book, Chicken Soup always rejected what I sent them. I gave up, thinking I was not the kind of writer they were looking for.

Then recently a dear friend encouraged me to send another story. "Okay," I sighed, "just one more can't hurt." And, you guessed it, they bought it! It will appear in their book Devotions for Wives this September, and is titled, Our Personal SOS.

I'm elated that Chicken Soup finally bought one of my stories, and I'm tickled that I finally discovered the style of writing that best suits them. But more than that, I'm happy I didn't give up.

What a great feeling when you persevere and your dream comes true

And you? Whatever you are tempted to give up on, allow me be the friend that comes alongside you and says, "Just one more time. Please don't quit. You can do this."

P.S. The Winner of our book giveaway of God, Me, and Sweet Ice Tea by Rose Johnson is Rhonda Schrock from Grounds for Insanity, a warm, funny, and encouraging blog I hope you'll frequent. Congratulaions, Rhonda! Thanks to all who commented and entered the drawing.

Exciting News!

I know, I know. I said I was going to be offline for two weeks. But I have some very exciting news to share, and it can’t wait!

While at the Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference last week, I met Beth Patch, who is the Spiritual Life Devotions Producer for CBN.com. She informed me that my devotion,
I’m Behind You, is posting today! To read it, please go to http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/levellie-behind-you.aspx.
This is not a paying market, but the readership is one million! I am so honored that they chose to publish this piece. I had almost given up on them, as I sent them two devotions over a year ago, and did not hear back. At the request of my agent, Diana Flegal, I re-sent them several months ago, and got a return email that they would be published soon.

The moral of this story is: Keep persevering. As Winston Churchill said, "Never, never, never give up." Whether you are raising kids, writing, or losing weight, if you know it's God's will for you, He will make sure you succeed.

What are you tempted to give up on? Can I pray for you today?

Never, never, never give up!

Ever feel like you’ll run out of time before you accomplish all your dreams and plans? Before you quit, you may want to read these stats:

• Colonel Harland Sanders was 65 when he launched his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise business;
• Grandma Moses was 78 when she began oil painting;
• Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when she started writing her Little House on the Prairie series;

And Myrrha Stanford-Smith, an 82-year-old teacher, just landed a 3-book deal for her fictional accounts of William Shakespeare. Read about it here.

Makes you want to go out and skip some rope, doesn’t it?

Please don't give up on your dreams.

God hasn't.

Follow Him; He'll lead you to the fulfillment of all your dreams,
and more.

Tammy Barley interview and "Love's Rescue" drawing

Let's continue our inspiring interview with Tammy Barley, award-winning novelist and wearer of many hats. To read part 1, scroll down the page for Wednesday's post.


A Dividing ConflictIn 1863, the War Between the States is dividing more than a nation. To escape the conflict, Jessica Hale and her family flee their Kentucky home and head for Nevada Territory. Her brother, Ambrose, committed to the Confederates, rejoins his Kentucky militia and is disowned by his father. But the worst is yet to come.

A Heroic KidnapperWhen Unionists presume the family to be Confederate sympathizers, they set a devastating fire to their home. All alone and then “kidnapped” by cattleman Jake Bennett, Jessica is taken to a ranch deep in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. Can she overcome her resentment toward Jake for failing to save her family?

The Depths of LoveWhen Jake launches a plan to help Jessica’s brother escape from prison camp, she sees him for the honest, good-hearted Christian man that he is and now knows the depth of his love for her. Through the lingering smoke and smoldering ashes from her ruined home and murdered family, will Jessica see a future with Jake?



5. Jen: “Love’s Rescue” went into a second printing after only five weeks. How do you account for that success?

Tammy: I wrote the story I believed historical romantics would most love to read, and penned it in such a way that the reader can feel she is there, in the story, and that the setting, people, and events of the story come to life and unfold around her. Perhaps that accounts for about one percent of the reason why it has sold so well. I fully believe Whitaker House’s promotion and God’s blessing accounts for the other ninety-nine.


6. Jen: What are the titles of the second and third novels in the Sierra Chronicles Series? When does #2 release?

Tammy: Book two is “Hope’s Promise” and its releases July 2010. Book three is “Faith’s Reward” and is in the works.


7. Jen: Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to offer both seasoned and new writers?

Tammy: Write what you know, write what you love, and never, NEVER give up. God has pulled you through tough times before, He’ll ALWAYS pull you through again.


Thank you so much, Jeanette, for the fun interview and for inviting me to visit your blog! You are such a blessing!

Tammy has graciously offered to give away one autographed copy of “Love’s Rescue.” To enter the drawing, please leave your name, email address and your answer to question 3, on Wednesday’s post. Whether you’ve published a book or not, I know discouragement has knocked on your door more than once. How have you slammed the door in its face and sent it packing? You must answer this question to be entered in the drawing for “Love’s Rescue.”

You will have until noon on Tuesday, March 16th to enter. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, March 17th. If you can't wait, and wish to order a copy, go here:Love's Rescue