Setting a publish date...and making it happen.

I have always been a writer.  I wrote in journals as a kid, was on staff for neighborhood, school and work newspapers, and wrote press releases for various groups I volunteered with over the years. But when Brooke finished college, Kirk told me to stay home and write. 

So I did.  I wrote a book about a woman that has a near death experience and is sent back to save children from passing over before their time.  It was a cute story.  Not particularly well written.  My writer friends said, you can do better, write what you know.

I started writing A Gift of Grace when I was on vacation in Lake Tahoe at the age of 48.  I was traveling with my three adult children.  Looking at them, I knew that their father and I had done an excellent job raising caring and compassionate children. But they were maybe a little too independent.  They had grown apart, started their own lives, and had their own groups of friends. It made me feel sad.  So instead of going to therapy, I wrote a book.  I wrote it, then put it away and started on my next book, Shadow People,  a sci-fi book about time travel.  Then I wrote a book called, Court of No Appeal, about a group of vigilantes who go after child predators. 
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3 years ago I pulled Grace out of the drawer and revised, professionally edited, then sent it to several friends for input. I looked at the calendar, and set the date.  I WOULD PUBLISH BY MY 60TH BIRTHDAY. No going back. 

So at 59 years, 3 weeks and 2 days old, Nook Press published my novel.  I worried.  But the feedback has been wonderful. And so, my advice to you, no matter what goal you want to reach...SET A DATE!!!! STICK TO IT!!! It doesn’t matter if it is launching a small online business, looking for a new job, or  revisiting an old love like photography or gardening.  Follow my lead. DO IT. You won’t be sorry.