Becoming a Masterpiece

“Life’s challenges are the sandpaper that smooth out our rough edges, to reveal the masterpiece God created us to become.” ~ Lynda Faye Schmidt, The Healing

It’s been three years since my first novel, The Healing, was published. A lot has happened since then, including some sanding down of rough edges. I haven’t become the masterpiece I believe I was created to become, but I know I’m on the right path to my destiny and I’m walking in faith.

A women’s fiction based on real events, I wrote The Healing to use my gifts of a willingness to be vulnerable and a passion for writing to tell a personal story of overcoming adversity. I knew I was not the only woman who stayed in an abusive relationship for complicated reasons. I hoped that other women in similar situations might identify with my main character, Cate Henderson, and feel inspired and supported to undertake their own transformational journey.

One thing I’ve learned over the last several years is that most things don’t happen in one giant leap. It takes time and effort. One thing builds on another. Step-by-step up the mountain. Sometimes my goals feel out of reach. I’ve felt impatient and discouraged. While I may not have accomplished everything I yearn for, I have made progress.

In preparation for the launch of The Healing, I worked with Grace Laemmler, the interior design and layout artist for the novel, to create my website. By some stroke of good fortune, Valeria Teles, founder of the healing platform, Fit for Joy, stumbled upon my website and reached out to schedule a podcast. Our healing conversation, Life Story on Healing, Loving and Creating, was my first interview. I loved the experience, and I’m proud that I showed up as my authentic self.

Since then, I’ve published two more novels and a guided journal, in partnership with Anne O’Connell @ OC Publishing. I’ve been interviewed in magazines, on podcasts and videos, and have written guest posts. I started my own YouTube channel. I wrote hundreds of blogs. And I have another manuscript under my belt, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma.

I did everything the marketing gurus proclaim are necessary to make it in the dog-eat-dog industry of writing. And while the sales and recognition haven’t reached the lofty heights I’m wishing for, I’m still writing. I likely have some sandpaper challenges ahead of me on the journey. But my faith whispers, I’ve got this.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

·      I finished writing my fifth literary fiction, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma. Stay in touch by signing up for my blog or following me on social media to find out when it will be published.

Reviews & Interviews:

·      You can read, listen or watch a large selection of reviews and interviews on my website.

Events:

·      There are no events currently scheduled in my calendar.

YouTube Channel:

·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.

·      Watch The Holding trailer.

·      Watch The Healing trailer.