Debby Giusti here!
Thanksgiving brings to mind
friends, family and blessings. I’m especially grateful for Seekerville and the
wonderful people who are part of this online community – my Seeker sisters and
the extended family of writers and readers who visit each day. Sharing the ups
and downs of the writing journey with all of you has been and will continue to
be one of the highlights of my life.
Since most of us are writers and
in keeping with the season, I decided to revisit a few of the turning points in
my road to publication and beyond. I invite you to do the same. Think of the
events, whether planned or happenstance, that have spurred you on, turned you
in a new direction or impacted you and/or your writing for the better. Together,
let’s find those special moments for which to give thanks.
Often we focus on the big successes,
which are so important, but we also need to consider the small stepping stones
that have merit and help guide us to our destination.
1. Writing
a book.
Early on, I published a number of fillers and slice-of-life
vignettes. Because I wrote short pieces, I never thought I could pen a
full-length manuscript. With encouragement from an instructor at a one-day novel
writing workshop, I started to think of each chapter as a short story. If I put
the chapters together, I could end up with a complete manuscript. The
instructor stressed the importance of finishing the work. Four-hundred-plus
pages later, I typed “The End.” Writing that book was an important first step
and a significant turning point in my journey to publication.
2. Contests!
Pam Hillman talked about contests in her blog last week,
which brought back memories of the many writing contests I have entered over
the years. Each critique, as well as any final or win, boosted my morale and motivated
me to keep working. A turning point came when I won three contests, and the
final round judges were all editors at Steeple Hill, later renamed Love
Inspired Books.
3. Meet
the editor!
Long before those three contest wins, Steeple Hill senior
editor, Krista Stroever, visited my Georgia Romance Writers’ chapter. The Love
Inspired Suspense line was expanding from two books a month to four, and Krista
was looking for new authors. She encouraged me to rewrite my secular suspense into
an inspirational story. I vividly remember my hesitation before making that
first editing change as I weighed whether the Christian market would be a good
fit for me. Once I started to include a faith element, the story came alive,
and I knew I’d found my home in the inspirational genre.
4. The
Call!
As we all know, getting “The Call” is a huge turning point.
Like many of you, my dream was to have one of my stories (I’d written six by
that time) accepted for publication by a traditional New York publishing house.
My pre-pubbed journey had been long and many of my peers had already received
contracts, while my forward momentum seemed to have sputtered and stalled. I
attended the RWA Conference in Reno that year, knowing I was close because of
the positive rejections I’d received and the feedback on my various submissions.
It was in Reno that I won the
three contests judged by Love Inspired Editors. A few days after returning
home, Krista called and asked to buy my debut novel. NOWHERE TO HIDE was
published in 2007 -- certainly a significant turning point, but my journey didn’t end there…I
had other roads to travel.
5. Book
Ten!
In the beginning years when I freelanced for magazines, I often
wondered if I would ever intuitively understand "story" and how to craft a novel the
way I could mentally envision a magazine article before I started the writing
process. After publication, the number “ten” took on significance as if that
would be an important milestone, which indeed it was. That inner sense of how
to craft a story was in place by my tenth book, which provided another turning
point.
6. Say “No!”
to Fear!
The thought of creating an entire work of fiction can be
daunting. A tight deadline makes the task even more of a challenge. Frequently,
I would be nervous midway through a story and grow even more anxious as the
submission date drew near. In scripture, we hear Christ say, “Do not be afraid.”
Unwilling to let anything negative have power over me, I prayed to lose the fear
and put my writing totally in the Lord’s hands. Although I never missed a
deadline, I hated the stress. Anytime I felt anxious, I turned it over to him,
and eventually, the fear lifted. Some
months later, I began to focus on living “in His perfect time.” It’s a mindset
of sorts, but when I give him control of my schedule and ask his help, I am
working in accord with his holy will and living in his perfect time. Now, the
many tasks and projects that need to be done are achieved not only on schedule but
also without fear.
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7. Confidence!
My most recent turning point came during RWA 2014. I
attended a number of workshops that focused on the business side of publication
and came home with a newfound confidence. I can’t explain exactly what
happened, perhaps an acceptance that this is the road I have been called to
travel. Up until then, I sometimes wondered if writing fiction was a bridge to the next stage of life that might not include the written word. Whatever
I experienced at RWA left me firmly committed to my writing career. There will
always be more to learn and new ways to improve my craft, and while the various
stories may take time to develop, I am a writer. I can trust the process and my
ability—with inspiration from the Lord—as I continue on my journey.
What have been the turning points—large and small—in your
writing life? Look back on 2014 or farther. Are there moments that seemed insignificant
at the time, which have turned into major breakthroughs to success? What about
today? Are you struggling to find your way and unsure which road to travel? Perhaps
you’re being called to write a bigger book or to change your genre or to break
into the independent market and go hybrid. Could you be standing at a turning point,
not yet ready to venture forth and take that leap of faith?
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Today and throughout the week, I’m giving thanks for all
those who have touched my life and have joined me on my writing journey--to the
wonderful readers who buy my books and share my stories with friends and
family, to my agent, Deidre Knight, and my talented editor, Emily Rodmell, and
the entire editorial staff at Love Inspired Books and to all of you who bring
joy to my heart. Thank you for being such an important part of my life.
Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a copy of
HOLIDAY DEFENDERS and a special surprise gift.
The breakfast bar is loaded with goodies: eggs, ham,
biscuits, coffee cake, fresh fruit and grits. The coffee’s hot, thanks to
Helen, and tea is available. Fill your cup and your plate, and let’s talk about
our thankfulness for turning points on our road to publication and beyond.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Debby Giusti
Watch for A RECIPE FOR ROMANCE, a collection of short stories and recipes from some of your favorite Love Inspired Authors. Proceeds benefit children's charities. Details to be announced on Black Friday!
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