The Baby Can Walk

A chubby yellow envelope came home in a stack of mail the other day.

I love chubby yellow envelopes. They make me want to skip and spin because I know yellow envelopes can hold a lot of good news, especially if it comes from a writer friend.

I am part of two writers’ groups and I do a lot of editing and critiquing for others. I know that a good story is hard work. Painful. Exhausting. Brain-frazzling. It’s a long process. The writer nurtures the story, hovering breathlessly over it to witness every milestone it reaches. In some ways, books and babies are similar.

The writer pours her energies into that frail piece and devotes much careful attention to strengthen it. As long as it’s not neglected, the story grows. It becomes more attractive. Eventually it can even sit on its own without toppling over. Much more time and work goes by. At last with dedication, willpower, and struggle, the baby stands. Then it takes a step into the wide world, walking, without any more assistance. A published book.

Though some of my stories can sit already, they’re not walking yet in the form of a published book. But, I have watched others’ stories flourish and I am so honored to have been a part of the process. It’s rewarding just to coach my friends, pick their stories apart, and then see them publish books. Could I say those books are sort of like my adopted children? I’d like to recommend some of them to you.

Yes, that chubby yellow envelope held a brand new book written by my friend, Amanda Jantzi. This is a story I watched develop. I helped smooth out the rough drafts a few years ago. It’s a thrilling moment to hold that shiny book in my hands for the first time, even if I didn’t write it. Over the years and even now, we’re working on the sequels to this story, preparing them to stand on their own feet.

Merry Christmas by Amanda Jantzi is available in paperback and ebook on numerous online platforms, including Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. I find her writing style fascinating and so realistic, with plenty of humor and deep lessons intertwined. Her characters have become my friends. Keep it up, Amanda!

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/merry-christmas-amanda-jantzi/1144585463

Moving on to another book…

As you can see on my Projects page, I started working on a biography of my grandparents. That project has remained dormant for a long time since I have other life priorities currently. While I was stirring up my vision for that project, my friend, Rebecca Weber, was also working on a biography of her great grandmother. We encouraged each other and helped keep each other accountable to reach our writing goals. I was also privileged to beta read the book. She succeeded in meeting her goals much better than I did, because her story, Anywhere is Home, has been published! You can find it on her blog, or email her at Rebecca.intohislight@proton.me.

https://journeyintohislight.wordpress.com/books/

She did a lot of research and compiled a valuable book that’s not only informative, but also inspiring. The fiction and nonfiction add up to a well-flowing story.

And I’ll take the liberty to say Rebecca also has more books coming! Right?

And finally, here’s a lovely series of children’s books written by Colleen Musser. So much effort was put into making these captivating stories and beautiful photographs! I know a tiny bit of it, because I worked on the rough drafts and helped give feedback on them. Many more people worked on the books. After all, publishing is a team effort. I highly admire Colleen’s vision for these stories and I’m hoping to see the fourth book soon! Catch that, Colleen?

Each book discusses a specific food and the process it takes from the farm to the table–all from a child’s perspective.

Find these books locally at Evergreen Store, or order them from Christian Light or Living Waters.

https://christianlight.org/maple-syrup-springs-first-treat

https://www.lwcb.shop/product/apple-cider-a-sip-of-autumn/

Dear fellow writers, keep nurturing your stories. One day they could walk on their own feet, blessing many readers, just like these books have enriched my life! And I’ll try to keep writing too, as long as I have enough brain cells.