July 8,
2019, release day of “A Heart Surrendered,” should have been the happiest day
of my life. Maybe it would have been if I hadn’t replayed all the things that
needed to happen over the next thirty days—get blog post material out on
time—promote the book signing events—get fifty reviews as soon as possible for
the Amazon algorithm—the book is at #15, stimulate a buzz to get it to #1.
Instead of
climbing, the numbers fell. Maybe Harambee Press, the new African American
Christian Fiction imprint for Lighthouse of the Carolinas, should have chosen a
more experienced writer to be their first release. What if I’ve hindered their
vision to unite the ethnic voices so underrepresented in the Christian market? On
and on my days fill with what ifs, maybes, should’ves and would’ves. Where
writing had always been my delight, it became a burden.
“Joy, when
are you going to celebrate?” My husband asked three weeks later.
It was
then he reminded me how far I’d come since July 2015, when I first decided I’d
leave my job at the end of that year, giving myself two years to focus on the
craft of writing. July 2019, my dream of being a hybrid author, independently
and traditionally published, came true. Although “A Heart Surrendered” hasn’t
reached #1, Amazon describes the book as “Tops in African American Christian
Fiction, Kindle Store and Books.” There are currently 25 Amazon reviews, 4.7
out of 5 stars. One reviewer
boasted:
“I loved it. Romantic and convicting with
well-rounded, characters facing real world problems. Tugged at me on a spiritual
level. Well done!”
Creating
word pictures, provoking Christ centered thoughts, and evoking hope in readers
is all I was ever called to do. So focused on the results, I forgot my why. I had
so many things to be thankful for, yet, where was my praise?
Warning to
all writers! Stop. Take the time to celebrate what God has done. Celebrate your
stories. “The End” is a big deal. Celebrate the readers you reach. Every best
seller began with one reader. Celebrate every milestone, every step of the way
and let His name be exalted.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
So focused on the results, I forgot my why. #SeriouslyWrite #amwriting
~~~~~~
Joy crafts the
love stories of pastors and their kids. She was born the sixth child of a
pastor. She married a football player turned pastor…they raised pastor’s kids;
a son and two daughters.
During the week, she works as an assistant
to Jacob George, CPA, PC. She serves as American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW-East
Texas) chapter’s Founding President. When she’s not writing or recording audio
books, she is speaking at retreats and conferences throughout the East Texas
area.
