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| Texie Susan Gregory |
As
writers, we’re aware that words can encourage and inspire, but there’s also a flip
side to that power. Author Texie
Susan Gregory shares what almost stopped her journey to publication. ~ Dawn
The
Power of Words
Every night when I was a little girl, Mother sat on my bed
and with her expressive voice and face brought life to a Bible story. I knew the stories so well that sometimes the
people seemed like distant relatives—grandfather Abraham, Uncle Paul, cousin
Esther.
After discovering Elizabeth Speare’s book, The Bronze Bow, I realized people other
than those I ‘knew’ had lived and loved and laughed during Bible times.
Astonishing!
Searching for other Biblical novels, I was dismayed to discover
there were very few in the school library. Thus began both the dream to see my
book on a bookshelf and the quest to write the stories of the unknown people of
Biblical times.
As a ten year old, my first attempt—an ambitious undertaking
about Mary Magdalene - was typed on onion paper. (Remember that thin, easily
erasable paper?)
Fast forward to college when I dared show a short story to
an esteemed professor. His words still echo through my mind. “If you enjoy it,
keep writing but nothing will ever come of it.”
Devastated, I quit writing.
A harsh response? Yes, but so much more—a lesson in the
power of words.
Years later as a young mother, an understanding of the
significance and incredible influence of mothering bubbled up and over. Words
spilled onto pages, first as letters to my children, then as vignettes that I
performed as monologues at conferences and churches.
The bulb of a dream which had ‘hibernated’ for years,
strengthened by life and nourished by the prayers of a mother who continued to
believe I was a writer, pushed its little head out of Fear and into Hope. I
joined a writer’s group in our church and attended the Mt. Hermon Christian
Writer’s Conference where writers are encouraged to approach editors and
agents.
Abject terror might begin to describe my fear as I
approached first one and then another editor/agent. Without exception they were kind, attentive,
and encouraging.
When an agent advised developing one of the vignettes into a
novel, I was dumbfounded. Was it possible? How do you do that?
Choosing Jochebed, the mother of Moses as ‘dough’, I pulled
out my writer’s rolling pin, dusted the surface with prayer and began to shape
the story into being.
The theme? A lesson I learned years ago—the power of our
words ripple through years and lives. The incredible influence we wield as
writers/parents/teachers carries enormous responsibility.
Jochebed’s
Hope is the story of a mother’s influence, of frayed hope and the search for
faith. It is a story of relationships between a mother and daughter, three
childhood friends, and the love story of the most powerful man on earth.
Texie Susan
Gregory holds a master’s degree in Counseling from Appalachian State
University and a Master of Religious Education from Golden Gate Baptist
Theological Seminary. She has taught in both public and private schools, worked
as a hospital chaplain and been a ministry wife for thirty-one years. She and
her husband moved to Maryland a year ago. They have two children, Tyler (28)
and Elizabeth (26).
You can learn more and connect with Texie at the following
online sites:
Author website: www.texiesusangregory.com
