“Writer’s block,” Anne said, “is simply fear. It’s the fear that what you write won’t be ‘good enough.’ And that’s true. The first thing you write won’t be good enough, but it will give you something to play with, something you can flesh out and polish to make good enough. So just start writing. Write anything. Write how much you hate the story or how mad you are at your editor or whatever comes to your mind. Just start writing because once you get something on the page, then you can play with it. As long as the page is blank, you have nothing to play with.”

I took her advice and started typing. I wrote quickly, without stopping to consider or edit. I hate this story, I wrote. I hate my editor. I don’t know how to write this. I’m going to get fired. What’s this story about anyway? Why am I writing it? Because one of the biggest employers in Lynchburg is about to merge with another hospital. Suddenly, there I had it, the lede. And I was off and running. I made my deadline.

http://honoreeblog.momschoiceawards.com/2011-honorees/2011-books-and-print-materials/2011-adult-leisure-parenting-how-to/

I’m very honored!

This is the third major recognition for Falling into the Sun! In 2009, Falling into the Sun won “Best Published Novel of 2009″ from the National League of American Pen Women, Florida Association. In spring, 2010, it was a Finalist in Foreward Reviews Book of the Year Awards.

http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Into-The-Sun-ebook/dp/B00413Q05Q/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_ke?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317993520&sr=1-1

Returned home to find that Falling into the Sun is a FINALIST!! in Foreword Reviews 2009 Best Book of the Year Awards! Winners will be announced in May at BookExpo America, in New York. Can’t think of a better way to end a fantastic trip!

Better than any award is the positive feedback I continue to get from readers. I’ve received e-mails from fans as far away as New Zealand! Just got a very uplifting e-mail this week from a fan in Canada, Cathy Hardy, who writes: “I felt like you dared to write many of the things I’ve experienced and feel but often don’t have the courage to say out loud.” Some of the themes she particularly enjoyed: “becoming aware of how we are all so connected to each other and all things”;  “the growing awareness of being an artist and learning to take the deep risk in being one’s true self”; and the transformational power of trust, as opposed to “fear based religion.”   Cathy is a musician and released her second CD in 2008, titled Trust: Inspiration from Taize. In my novel, Kate listens to music from Taize when she fears she is being haunted by evil. Check out Cahty’s CD at http://www.communitascare.com/enter-store.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=41&vmcchk=1

I love hearing from fans. Keep writing, please.