Sometimes this happens
But not often.
That’s why I want to share this moment of joy with you. And, to give a long-overdue and well-deserved shout out to an incredible writer, person, and friend. She’s a wife, a mom, a youth pastor, a daughter, a friend to many, and now, a multi-published, successful author.
It’s been a huge joy to be part of Mary Weber‘s journey. Together with Susan Gaddis and Diane Ramirez, we formed the Word DIVAS about six years ago, hoping to hone our individual writing chops and also find publishing inroads into our community for writing about things that mattered to us. And we had retreats, and fun meetings (with great food), and we went to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conferences together…and, well, things started happening.
Mary’s story is hers to tell, but being a writing and critiquing partner with her as she signed with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins and developed her Storm Siren trilogy was nothing short of a Disneyland E-ticket ride. (you have to be a baby boomer to get that one…)
So when she dedicated her trilogy’s thrilling conclusion, Siren’s Song, to me, well, that overwhelming feeling of joy–that my input, counsel, and red pencil made a difference–had to bubble out somewhere.
Writing is generally a solitary pursuit. Lots of hours tap-tap-tapping on a keyboard. Plotting. Researching. Agonizing. Checking the word count. Reading. Deleting. Rewriting. Well, you get it. Not much interaction with others going on.
But those moments when you come up for air. Type “The end” and get to celebrate. Have a book signing. Speak at a workshop or a school. Or just sit down to read an amazing story your dear friend created and got published. Those are moments to cherish and to share.
(The dedication reads: For Jeanette Morris, who is the queen of helping me find my voice in my writing, and, even more so, in my soul.)
Thanks for indulging me this joy on my journey.
Leave a Reply