Sometimes it's Just Roadkill

Did you hear about the Pennsylvania man who was arrested after trying to resuscitate a possum on the side of the highway?

Nope, I ain't funnin' ya.

According to the article in the 3/27/10 Florida Times Union, a 55-year-old , um, gentleman (and I use the term loosely) was a apparently bit tipsy on his way home one afternoon. Several witnesses called in a report of a man kneeling in the road before the deceased animal, attempting to give it mouth-to-mouth resucitation.

You just can't make up stuff this good.

While we may never understand his motives, one can only assume that he was an animal lover with passions gone awry. Or eww-y in this case. A possum? Have you ever seen a possum up close and personal? That species must have been last on God's to-do list and he ran fresh out of eloquence. A wee, cuddly puppy or an adorable fawn I might understand, but a possum?

It wasn't like our guy had just hit the thing with his car; witnesses said the possum had been "dead a while." Wouldn't you love to read that police report?

Anyway, it occurred to me that trying to revive one of my old manuscripts is kind of like that. I pulled the thing out of its bottom drawer with the intention of infusing it with life and giving it one more shot at a future. After all, I spent many hours of effort and energy on that ill-fated plot years ago; why just bury it without first pulling out the electric paddles?

But you know what? It was too far gone. It had no pulse. No heartbeat. No dying breath. So I got out the coffin.

As much as writers hate to admit that every single thing they write isn't golden, we must face hard, cold facts. Sometimes it's just roadkill.

A Select Arrow

Have a blessed Christmas!

For this week of holy expectations, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite excerpts from Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers

The eve of my 49th birthday waned melancholy as I lay on my back in bed, staring at the ceiling. I had just received yet another rejection letter from an agent regarding my recently completed book.

It's not that rejection was anything new; I'd collected enough rejection slips during my four years as a professional writer to papar mache a pinata. A big one. Maybe a life-sized rhinoceros. Okay - ten rhinoceroses, six wildebeests, two heifers, and a partridge in a pear tree.

No, rejection per se was not what troubled me. I knew that in the literary game, par for the course is to receive ten rejections to every one acceptance. What bothered me was the nagging suspicion that I'd misheard my calling. That God had said, "fight a crook" or "bite a snook" instead of "write a book."

Glancing down at my opened Bible, my eyes focused on a passage from Isaiah: He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He has concealed me, and He has also made me a select arrow; He has hidden me in His quiver.

My heavenly Father was sending me a note of encouragement: He wil personally take on the enemies before me, running interference with His tall, strong stature so that I can find rest and peace in the protective shadow of His cupped hand. I can't think of a safer place to be.

And best of all, I am a select arrow. Not just any arrow - a select arrow. A flint-sharpened, friction-polished, exclusive weapon specially designed to pierce the tough outer shell of God's intended targets and speak God's message to their hearts through the written word.

There is no other arrow like me, no person with the exact same background, experiences, and perspective the Lord has given me. I am the only one that can accomplish the task God has customized for me.

For now, I am concealed. Undistinguished. Unknown. He has hidden me in His quiver until the right time to use me in battle Only at tht specific time will I be most effective for His glory.

Ch-Ch-Changes

I'm excited but a little nervous about the changes going on at my house this month. After 30 years as an orthopedic occupational therapist, I'm retiring to devote more time to writing.

The possibilities are daunting: tackling more book projects, increased time to invest in marketing my current books, the abilitity to travel more to garner interesting book fodder, accepting a wider range of speaking engagements . . . or wallowing in abject poverty.

The latter is no doubt an underlying fear shared by everyone giving up that regular paycheck.

In my case, much prayer and straining to discern that divine still, small voice I depend on to guide my steps in this life preceded my decision. I just wish He'd write on a wall in flaming print or etch His will on a couple of stone tablets so I could be sure I'm hearing Him right.

So it's a leap of faith for me. One thing I plan to do more of is invest more time in spiritual growth. On that note, I'd like to leave you with an inspirational quote from Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:

"Never allow the rat race or relentless pace to take the color and energy out of your days. Who cares if we can construct a perfect sentence if there is no life or substance behind our words?"
~Susie Larson, author of Balance that Works When Life Doesn't

Enjoyable Learning Experience

I'm excited about the Florida Inspirational Writers Retreat coming up this weekend (11/14/09) at Lithia, FL. I co-founded the FIWR last year with Ruth Ellinger (author of The Wildrose Series for Ambassador International) and have poured my heart into preparations for a memorable learning experience for the attendees.

Our excellent guest speakers this year include Eva Marie Everson, award-winning author of Shadow of Dreams, Sex, Lies and the Media and The Potluck Club Series. Eva's presentations will be "Walking & Falling: The Lessons That Changed This Writer" and "Turning Articles Into Books."

Larry Leech, journalist, author and president of Word Weavers, a highly successful writers group in the Orlando area, will speak about "Organizing and Planning" and "Developing Your Voice." (I almost changed Larry's whole focus with my first brochure draft - I listed his presentation as Developing Your Vice!)

Sue Miholer, an editor and author from the Northwest, will discuss "Self Editing 101" and "Inspirational Shorts."

We've included a Night Owl option this year, which includes dinner Friday (11/13/09) followed by networking, entertainment, writing exercises, a critique session for sharing new projects, led by no other than Larry Leech himself (the crown prince of critique groups), and optional sleepover in the lovely Cedarkirk Retreat Center.

I've almost finished preparing my own "Nuts and Bolts" workshop and am looking forward to spending a fun but educational weekend with fellow writers. Only one thing is missing.

You!

Preparing for a Golden Anniversary

This is the fifth and final entry in a series: Manuscript to Book Metamorphosis. Scroll down to read the previous posts if you haven't already: Proposals form the Heart (9/23/09), After the Proposal: the Wedding (9/30/09), Signing in Blood (10/7/09), and Proof is in the Putting (10/14/09).

After finally receiving your long-awaited book in the mail (and weeping with joy for two solid days), it's time to put your marketing plan into place. That includes newsletters, e-mail blasts, sending out press releases, querying radio, TV, newspaper and any other media source you can think of for interviews, donating copies to libraries, sending out copies for reviews in high profile venues (especially online), enter contests, and securing book signings.

For the latter, I recommend seeking non-traditional settings such as coffee houses, tea rooms, gift shops, libraries, craft fairs, etc. so that you can pocket more proceeds from book sales without having to share huge cuts with hosting bookstores. If you really want that traditional bookstore signing high, Barnes & Noble stores usually offer two local author book signings per year (spring and fall), which you can sign up for in advance.

Unless a bookstore carries you books, it's difficult to book a signing (another reason to explore non-traditional venues for first books).

A major outlet for promoting and selling your books is to begin speaking to groups interested in your genre, i.e. church women's groups for inspirational self-help books. Focus on presentations that will help them in some way - you will be more in demand if you meet a felt need. Developing and dispensing a professional-quality brochure about your presentation options is a very good idea. Offer a video sample of you speaking on your website for easy reference for those considering your services. Apply for national speakers bureaus for more extensive exposure.

If you haven't already, I recommend having eye-catching bookmarks printed as your best and cheapest means of advertising. You can get good quality and prices online from companies such as Printrunner (shop around) - don't be chinchy on these; they speak volumes to prospective readers. I include the cover of my newest book on one full-color side and on the back, list my other books, website (from which they can contact me), and a few brief endorsements if there's room.

Many authors create (or pay someone else to create) book trailers to post on YouTube and other online sites. Trading links and blog interviews with other authors is a fine idea so that your book gets as much exposure as possible. Mention the title, positive reviews and blog interviews as often as possible in Twitter, Facebook, and your blog.

New ideas for your next book should already be bouncing around in your head; don't let the grass grow under your feet. Capitalize on the buzz surrounding your book to create interest in the next book. It's all about the future!

Now you're on your way to a long and fulfilling union with the publishing industry!

A Writer's Journey Continued

Yesterday I interviewed two dear ladies for my new book about coping with stress. Each had endured incredible amounts of stress in her life and had grown stronger in her faith because of it.

The first was Tonya, a college-educated mother of eleven, including one severely handicapped son who requires 24/7 nursing care. Tonya and her husband, who works from a home office as an electric company project manager, built a two-story, 3,000-sq. ft, 8-bedroom home on top of a hill overlooking 12 acres of rolling pastureland dotted with their growing herd of cattle and sheep.

Each of the seven homeschooled children still at home has his (all are boys except one) own list of daily chores to keep the family running smoothly. The 13-year-old son aspires to be a chef, so his include cooking and kitchen duty. The younger boys feed the two family dogs while the older ones care for the farm animals. Laundry, house-cleaning and yard duties are divided among each family member.

I was amazed at how well the children played together and the respect they demonstrated toward each other and their parents. "Yes m'am" and "No sir" was normal fare and more than once I overheard the older children gently guide the younger ones to "wait your turn to talk; let him finish, now" when the entire group clamored to answer my questions about growing up in such a large family. The children were bright-eyed and well spoken, often using vocabulary unexpected for their ages during their chatter.

One of Tonya's techniques for maintaining sanity is to awaken at 6 a.m. for couple time with her husband. They start each day with a half-hour devotion and prayer time, strengthening both their relationships with the Lord and each other before the kids pour forth from their bedrooms (they are required to remain upstairs in their rooms until 7 a.m. when breakfast is prepared).

The children have mandatory outside play time for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon, during which they create games and competitions in their sprawling backyard. Imaginative and creative games are their passion, and I was treated to a tour of the most incredibly detailed lego structures I've ever witnessed.

Nightly family devotions include Bible readings, discussion of the passage chosen, prayer, and sometimes Bible-related videos. Now I just hope I have the writing skills to do justice to this truly inspiring family!

Audio book now available

Beginning work on a new book is such an adrenaline rush. And then when the river ceases to surge, the realization of all the work before you slams you upside the head. A new emotion raises its fretful head. It's called anxiety.

Ironically, the new book creating such frazzled feelings is about dealing with stress. Maybe I'll be able to write a few new chapters based on the experience of actually writing the book. Kind of like singing a song about singing a song.

Anyway, the good news this week is the digital completion of my inspirational historical novel, The Distant Shore. A local actress and producer delivered an outstanding narration, bringing the characters to life with appropriate accents and inflections.

It's a wonderfully artistic rendition of the true story of young Emma-Lee Palmer, mysteriously banished from her family to an island in 1905. While there, she discovers a dark family secret and comes face to face with her worst fears in a life-or-death showdown of faith.

I'm so thrilled that The Distant Shore is now available on CD or MP3 (through my website www.DeboraCoty.com) and hope to make the sequel, Billowing Sails, available soon.

There's just something about hearing your story read aloud that brings chill bumps to your arms and a lump to your throat.

The good, the bad, and the insane.

It was a week of near disasters and glorious victories. Pits and peaks Mountain tops and sink holes. Typical writers' terrain.

Pit: After driving 4 hours to speak to a writer's group, I noticed the sky was getting ominously dark. Three miles from the venue, the torrents broke loose. With nowhere to park near the appointed building, I was forced to run through the downpour with my dinner plate-sized umbrella (which the wind turned inside out almost immediately) in my dry clean only suit and heels.

The wide expanse of parking lot? Well, to quote a famous title, a river ran through it.

As I traversed the first ankle-deep puddle, I watched helplessly as my box of books perched atop the wheeled suitcase carrying my presentation materials tipped - in slow motion - and descended to the wet earth. My books, my precious slaved-over, paid-for books that could not be returned, scattered far and wide as the deluge did it's best to ruin as many as possible.

At least my tears blended in with the rain and tendrils of hair dripping down my face.

Only 5 people braved the elements to attend.

Peak: Two days later, my hometown Tea Tasting/Book Signing at a lovely Tea Room was a smashing success. sunny skies, gorgeous surroundings, lots of old friends to hug, a delicious lunch, and more than 80 books sold.

Pit: My long anticipated first nationally broadcast interview on NBC was preempted by a dog food commercial. After notifying hundreds of local fans to tune in or tape the Daytime show on our local affiliate, WFLA, Spouse and I watched with bated breath for the entire hour and . . . no Mom Needs Chocolate interview. So deflating.

Frantic calls to my publicist followed, then her queries to the show's producer. What happened?

It turns out the segment containing my spot was sold to an advertiser (money, of course, trumps everything else) locally, so the interview aired all over the rest of the country, just not on our Tampa affiliate. Most embarrassing for me and difficult to explain to the fine folks who came home from work, flipped on the recorded show, and watched the whole hour expecting to see me. I was bummed all day.

Peak: A wonderful hour-long radio interview with WMMK Talk Radio. Yay! Redemption!

Pit: My agent isn't crazy about the title or content of the new book I've been slaving over.

Peak: But he wants it anyway. By the end of the week. Yikes!

So there you have it - a typical week in the life of a writer. The good, the bad, and the insane.

Who's Your Daddy?

Hey, check out my newly posted TV and radio interviews at www.DeboraCoty.com! And if you're from Florida, don't forget to sign up for the exciting and informative Florida Inspirational Writers Retreat on Nov. 14 (details also on my website). Low cost! Enormously beneficial!

Here's an excerpt from Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:

"I recall listening to an audio tape of my now twenty-four-year-old son as he sang a very off-key rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" at age three. In the opinion of most people, his skills would be considered rudimentary, even lacking.

But I was deeply touched by the most beautiful voice on the planet, blessed and proud as only a parent can be. I taught him that song, and he was doing his part to learn and improve.

That's exactly the way God, our heavenly parent, views our writing skills. He taught us everything we know, through avenues of formal education, experience, and aptitude. Now it's up to us to continue learning and improving.

If we view our writing careers through the Daddy filter, the pressure of being "good enough" is lifted. Our Heavenly Father will be blessed and proud of our accomplishments on any level."

From the chapter "Who's Your Daddy?"

Late Bloomers

"Christy" by Catherine Marshall planted a seed in me as a teenager (I read it 9 times!) to one day write a book that would touch other hearts the way "Christy" touched mine. The fertilizer didn't kick in for thirty years, but one fine day in 2002, "The Distant Shore" bloomed large and lovely. Ten books followed in quick succession.

I guess you could say I'm a bonified late bloomer. Are there others out there like me? Those who need a few extra years for ideas and motivation to marinate before coming to full robust flavor?

You betcha. You may be one of us.

Julia Child's first cookbook was published at age 49 and her television debut occurred in her 50s. Prolific author Raymond Chandler published his frist novel, "The Big Sleep" at age 51. Morgan Freeman found movie fame at age 52. Paula Dean overcame agoraphobia to open up a small catering business in Georgia and published her first cookbook at 50; this led to her own TV show at age 55. World famous artist Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson) began painting in her 70s. Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when she published the first of her "Little House" books.

So how about you? Are you feeling the itch to bud?

Take heart - it's not too late to propogate, fertilize and harvest your latent talent! So put on those gardening gloves and coax some gorgeous fruit from those fallow fields today.

A Writer's Journey Continued

It seems like it would be ever so simple to talk about your own book, doesn't it? The book that you worked on day after day, month after month...the book that you fabricated from thin air, the book that no one on earth knows better than you.

Oh, that it were so.

I've been to the extremes of interviews this week. A podcast interview yesterday lasted over an hour (73 minutes, to be exact). Another tarried for 20 minutes, and a live radio interview this morning was over in 4 minutes flat.

Which do you think was hardest?

If you said the quickie radio chat, you're right. I was nervous before it ever started, knowing that the time limit was five minutes or less. It's essential to be concise and well spoken in those cases, neither of which is my forte. I was even more feather-headed than usual at 9 AM for some reason, and it didn't help that I was scheduled to call the station instead of them calling me. After mis-dialing the number twice and dropping the phone on the cat, at the first "hello," I was put directly on the air without a format briefing or introduction to the co-hosts.

My brain immediately froze.

During the rapid-fire questions, I couldn't remember the name of my first book, my children, or how many pets I currently have (what does all that have to do with writing Mom Needs Chocolate, anyway?). Then I had a major tongue cramp and muttered "um" in six languages and three octaves before finally spitting out something semi-coherent.

It was a prime example of Mom REALLY needing chocolate. Or Prozac.

Anyway, now that everyone along the central eastern coast of the United States thinks I routinely hit the cooking sherry before my Grape Nuts, I'm sincerely considering canceling any further voice interviews before 1 PM.

Or calling my next book, "Godiva for Breakfast Melts Your Mind."

There's Writing, And Then There's Writing Well

I was helping a friend's son with his college essays last week, and afterwards, thought about how hard it was to teach writing.

Many people hate, hate, hate to write. It doesn't come easily. Pulling words out of their head feels like slogging through blackstrap molasses on a January morning.

But the thing is, everybody has to learn how to communicate effectively. Even a one-page office memo with bullet points needs to be clear.

I do think that good writing can be taught, especially when a person disoovers its relevancy. Say, for example, getting and keeping a job.

But then there is a kind of writing that goes beyond communicating clearly. I'm not sure this can be taught, because it is so hard, but so very satisfying. I think this kind of writing happens because a person has that writing bug deep inside them, where she is willing to study the craft of writing.

Also known as...prose.

Here is an example:

"Everyone at the table became quiet."

That is a clear, concise sentence.

Now here it is again, jazzed up:

"Silence fell over the table."

See what I mean?

Prose takes work, editing, re-writing, reading other writers, loving and studying words and phrases. Basic philology.

But it makes all the difference in writing, and writing well.

On another note...check out our interview posted today at The Writer's Life and an excerpt of Deb Coty's devotion here.

Are we there yet?

When I'm glaring at my empty mailbox or checking my e-mail inbox for the tenth time that day, I often feel stuck in Crete (like Titus in Titus 1:5). Spider webs sprout on my "Accepted for Publication" file. I do a desperate rain dance, hopping on one foot around my computer.

Where is that editor's overdue response" What do you mean a two-year lead time?

Why, oh, why is this business so besotted with waiting, waiting, and more waiting?

I've discovered that the very reason I want to leave Writer's Crete is the reason God left me there. My character needs editing. God, the supreme Editor-in-Chief, is perfecting the manuscript of my life. His eraser chafes, and His pen digs deep. Crafting patience isn't pleasant. It drives me batty. But the final draft is unshakable trust in God's omnipotent timing.

Excerpt from "Stuck in Crete" from Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers

Grit Happens

I'm already miffed about the 50% consignment the bookstore insists upon to carry Grit for the Oyster on consignment. Other retail outlets offer 60/40 or even 70/30, which allows me to make a bit of profit, but 50/50? It's hardly worth my gas to bring the books down here.

So when I arrive for the writer's mini-workshop I had prearranged three weeks earlier, my blood pressure blows out my split ends.

"I'll only need you to supply a table for my materials and at least twenty-five chairs for attendees," I had told the manager. "I'll bring everything else."

"Sure, sure," he had replied. "No problem." I called again the day before the well advertised event (all my effort, of course) to make sure we were good to go and the manager assured me everything had been taken care of. Except that I would have to bring my own table. Okay. I can deal with that.

As I lug my heavy table and bulky boxes of books, a crate of props and case of posters through the door a half-hour before the event is scheduled to start, I find that there are no chairs whatsoever.

"Where are the chairs?" I manage to ask through gritted teeth. He won't meet my gaze. "There aren't any," he mutters. "I tried to borrow some from a church but it fell through."

I stare at him in disbelief. "And you didn't try another church...or funeral home...or rental place...why????" My voice squeaks like my dog's chew toy.

He shrugs.

I'm speechless. I finally gather my wits enough to ask in a calm voice edged with steel, "What are the people supposed to do for a whole hour during the workshop?"

Then comes the kick in the teeth. "I guess they can sit on the floor."

Okay, I'll spare you the rest of the maddening details. Thanks to my quick-acting husband, we managed to seat half of the 45 people on chairs begged, borrowed, or stolen from friends, neighbors and nearby businesses. I kept apologizing for "the misunderstanding with the chairs" and thankfully nobody left. They just stood for a solid hour. There were four elderly people and a cerebral palsied lady in leg braces for whom some very nice men gave up their chairs.

I hoped the manager had nightmares about them wallowing all over the floor. But retaliation is not my point (he is, in fact, no longer with that company).

The point is to share one of the many bumps in the road that occur to every author (at least I hope it's not just me) during their writing journey. Some may be simple speed humps, while others may be teeth-jarring potholes. But the road will not be straight and smooth. So prepare yourself for twists and turns; prepare to persevere when your transmission falters and your gas tank is empty; prepare to ditch old maps and search for new routes when the road is blocked.

Prepare. And by the grace of God, your destination awaits you.

Just Show Up

The day after I spoke at a woman's brunch, a friend who had attended called me to rave about how everyone loved it and that God was using my words to touch hearts.

Huh? I thought. That had to be the worst presentation I've ever done. I'd neglected to mention two of my five key points, dropped three pages of notes, which fanned out across the floor for me to unceremoniously squat in my skirt and retrieve, tripped over a microphone cord, and forgot the lyrics to the song I wrote. What else could have gone wrong?

I ruminated on my friend's erroneous impressions. She had even commented that it was refreshing to see a Christian woman who looked stylish and not dowdy and boring like many of the speakers they'd had in the past. She said it added to the lively spirit and excitement of the born-again message of joy we should all exude. Ha! I guess she didn't notice the red magic marker I'd scribbled into all the scuff marks on the old red pumps I'd worn with the hand-me-down suit given to me by a neighbor.

Then I realized that the person my friend saw speaking was not actually me. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit had miraculously interceded somewhere between the real speaker and the person the audience thought they saw.

My conclusion? God can use anyone and anything to His glory if we just show up.

It's the same with our writing. We don't have to be Liz Curtis Higgs or Dr. Gary Chapman. If we're sincerely writing for God's glory, He has the power to intercede between the written page and the minds of our readers so that they glean the exact timely message He has for them.

All we have to do is show up hour after hour, day after day, plunked into our computer chairs, pounding those keys to the best of our ability. The results are up to Him.

Let's go Shoe Shopping!

I recently came across vintage advice to aspiring writers from Henry James that is just as pertinent today as it was when he wrote it for "The Writer" magazine in 1899: "Don't think too much about optimism and pessimism; try to catch the color of life itself."

And this gem from Erle Stanley Gardner in 1939: "The beginning writer should write all types of stories for all sorts of markets until he has found his particular niche in the literary world. The veteran writer who would keep from going stale must take a fling at new slants, at new angles. As you go through life, wade out to meet things halfway. Never give up. Never quit fighting. Never dodge, and life will pay you dividends."

I adore those quotes, don't you? Isn't catching the color of life itself what we all try to accomplish first and foremost as writers? And when we finally get it right, when our words resonate truth, when the hammer hits the literary nail squarely on the head, the resulting inner glow of satisfaction and success can't be matched by anything on earth. We have reached our ultimate goal. We've accomplished what we were put here to do. We feel in tune with God and the universe.

Mr. Gardner's advice is a bit tougher, at least for me. Trying different genre's, styles and markets is like trying on every pair of shoes in the shoe store to find one that fits. Some pinch and chafe. Some look pretty but some vague, barely indiscernible thing about them is wrong. You feel like you're wasting time and energy in the shopping. But then that perfect pair adorns your tootsies and you know it's right. They're comfortable, affordable, and look oh, so marvelous.

I've tried on several genre's in my six-year career as a writer: novelist, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, devotionals...and feel that my best fit is women's humor. I love reading it, and I love writing it. I believe God has called me to it. And He provides more than enough ridiculous, bizarre events in my life as fodder for my stories.

Have you tried on any new and unusual literary shoes lately? Maybe you've always admired stiletto heels but you never had the nerve. Or those awesome leather boots that speak to your inner motorcycle mama. You just never know which pair may turn out to be your favs!

Hugs and kisses,
Debora M. Coty

Standing in a bookstore yesterday, clutching an armful of Grit for the Oyster books, I waited on the manager to finish checking out a line of customers. My goal was to convince her to stock Grit for the Oyster on her shelves, that it was a unique, incredibly encouraging book that would inspire aspiring and not-so-new writers to follow their calling with renewed vigor. I was prepared to unload both cannons on that hapless manager, to bombard her with my spiel until she held up her hands in surrender and ordered a stockpile.

But I never had to fire a shot.

As is my habit (and if it's not yours, it should become one), I began chatting with a bored customer standing in line at the cash register and it turned out that she was an aspiring writer. As was the man behind her who eagerly joined in the conversation. The dazed manager watched, mesmerized, as I informed those very interested customers (who wanted to purchase Grit right then and there) that I would be happy to sign copies for them because I was sure the store would be carrying my books, why, perhaps this very day.

Sold!

The point is that golden promotional opportunities are often right beneath our noses. If we're paying attention and capitalize on them before the moment passes. And best of all, we can save the big ammo for another day!

Debora M. Coty
www.DeboraCoty.com
Author or co-author of 9 books and over 80 articles

In the Beginning...

"In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth..." Genesis 1:1

God creates. Our thoughts and acts, our breathing and hoping takes place in a world creatively set in motion by God. We never start anything. We find the meaning of our lives not by striking out on our own but by reponding to what God has already begun in us, creating and redeeming us.

What does this mean for you as a writer?

(adapted from Praying with Moses by Eugene H. Peterson)