I’m publishing a book in 2016

I kinda thought I’d be pregnant at this point but it seems that birthing a book is in the plan, not birthing a human. I don’t know how or when but

I’m publishing a book in 2016.

I have thousands of words written on the topic already. It’s been stirring in the back of my mind for years.

We’ve already established that I am a writer.

I know I must tell my story…

and I know the time is now to write it.

I was born to do this.

So whether I get picked up by a publisher or go the self-publishing route, I am publishing a book in 2016.

I’ll be following my own advice on the three things aspiring authors and writers need to do. Thankfully I already have a blog and a growing email list and I’m in the habit of writing regularly.

The shift for me is going to be writing FOR ME and writing MY STORY instead of writing to sell something or writing for other people.

I know that writing my story means I need to be unhurried and focused, free of mental and emotional baggage and living from a place of peace. And I know that won’t happen unless I’m intentional about it.

I’m excited to share this journey of becoming a published author with you.

WHAT ABOUT THE BLOG? AND THE BUSINESS?

I blogged twice every week in 2015 so I plan to update and, frankly, regurgitate a lot of that content for you in 2016. I’ll group topics together and produce some worksheets, in-person and online workshops and maybe an online course or two. After all, second to being a writer, I am a teacher.

For the rest of December, I am working on streamlining my business so that I can work strategically with exactly the right people while allowing myself plenty of margin so I can write. I am limiting my volunteer positions, too, as well as my “pro bono” work. If I have to tell you no, you’ll know why.

Beyond that, I’ll be sharing more from my heart as it pertains to the book topic and the new direction I’m going in.

That new direction is about how I tried to be Super Mom, got kicked in the teeth, and was able to build my life back on a foundation of grace.

Parts of my story are, of course, raw, real and downright gritty. I’ll talk about my faith journey, my childhood dreams, the unexpected twists in my motherhood journey, ways the medical community failed me, how I found my confidence as a mom…and how I spent a period of months questioning everything, even my belief in God and His intentions toward me.

I am a very different person now than I was then. God has worked on me and I’ve worked on myself. And I’ve also learned to rest and NOT “work” all the time.

Some of you know me only post miscarriage. You wouldn’t have recognized the woman I was seven years ago. And those who knew me back in 2008 and don’t know me we as well now? Same thing.

This new woman is ready to hunker down and get the book done.

Again, I am grateful for those of you who will be sharing in this journey and I’m excited to see how our stories intersect.

Stay tuned as I write the next chapter in my life.