Through My Kitchen Window

"Success comes to a writer, as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the heights to which he has climbed." -P.G. Wodehouse

I began my writing adventure in June of 2009 when I attended a writer’s conference. Prior to this I had never formally written anything. I had, however, written an unpublished manuscript.

You see, some years earlier at a time of great concern for someone I loved, I started journaling my thoughts on prayer. After three years of searching the scripture and recording my findings, I had so much information that I compiled it into a manuscript about prayer. This began my quest to become a published writer. My hope at the time was to someday have my manuscript published.

So, in June of 2009, I attended the Kentucky Writer’s Conference where I participated in a wonderful workshop by Lettie Kirkpatrick Burress on freelancing small pieces. I decided to try my hand at it. I sent my 1^st submission out in August and received my 1^st contract in November of that same year. The money I was paid for that 1st piece covered the cost of the writer’s conference and I knew it had been money well spent.

Today I have so many published pieces that it’s hard to keep count. I have over 75 published devotions in the following publications: The Upper Room, The Secret Place, Open Windows, Reflections, and Word Aflame. I also have articles and short stories which have appeared in publications by Lifeway, David C Cook Company, Focus on the Family, Standard Publishing Company, Bethany House, and more.

But did I ever get my manuscript published? No, not yet. However, I did enter it into a national competition, the 2011 Women of Faith Contest; where it was named one of only 30 finalists out of over 750 entries. So now I have decided to self publish it as Bible Studies. I only have half the manuscript re-written as Bible studies and for sale as e-books so far. I hope in time to get the rest listed for sale too. If interested, my e-books can be found on Lulu self publishing site. Put ‘Harriet Michael Prayer Warrior Guide’ in the search on that site and you will find them listed for $2.99 each.

This summer I will reach a new high in my writing career. I have been asked to lead workshops at the Kentucky Christian Writer’s Conference in Elizabethtown, KY. Here is the link. I’m excited and humbled to have been asked and I give God all the glory.

http://www.kychristianwriters.com/

 

Through My Kitchen Window

My blog What He has done for my Soul is honored to receive The Reader Appreciation Award. I want to thank Tracy Crump and Marylane Wade Koch of Write Life Workshops for the nomination.

Tracy and Marylane are two writers who team up to help other writers. They offer workshops and webinars to assist others in reaching their writing goals. Their website is: http://www.writelifeworkshops.com/ They have a monthly newsletter called The Write Life which I contribute to regularly. Each month I contribute a 100 word “Strange and Interesting Bible Fact” section to their newsletter.

There are a few guidelines for accepting this award: 1. Acknowledge the giver of the award and provide a link to his or her blog site. 2. Copy and paste the award to your blog. 3. Pass the award to up to ten bloggers. 4. Notify your selected bloggers that you have nominated them.

It is my privilege to nominate the following bloggers for The Reader Appreciation Award.

Linda Jeffreys

Grief has overtaken you for a while. Death has destroyed your security. Life is changing like an earthquake. You can’t find God in this black hole.

Comfort and Joy is encouragement and hope for ordinary people who need the power of God to overcome death. Linda learned about grief as an unwilling student in a life shaken by sudden death as well as devastating illness. She leads classes in grief, and shares how she received healing after facing loss due to suicide, heart attack, and a malignant brain tumor. Comfort and Joy shows you how to navigate the overwhelming new feelings and responsibilities that accompany trauma, death and loss. More importantly, you will see and hear Linda’s heart as you walk through her grief experience. She will show you how to receive healing beyond grief and loss from Jesus Christ, the only One who has conquered death.

The book is available from the website www.TheGriefExperience.com. Please join Linda at her blog: www.TheGriefExperience.wordpress.com.

Jayne Garrison

Jayne Garrison is the second daughter of Stanley and Jane Ray who served as missionaries to Nigeria in the 50’s and early 60’s. She writes to bring comfort to hurting parents, but sometimes looks back on her African years through the eyes of a child through short vignettes that she shares with family and friends. Her book Tragedy’s Ark, A Book of Comfort for Disheartened Parents can be purchased from Amazon.Com and is available in traditional or e-book format. Read her blog at http://jaynegarrison.authorsxpress.com/ and visit her book at Amazon.Com.