I’d always dreamed of writing a book, a story to give someone hope to take the next step. In 2012, I started writing a fiction manuscript with the humble, first-step challenge to myself: Can I even string enough words together to create a full length manuscript? In thirty minute/day writing sessions, the story accumulated, very secretly, slowly but surely. As I learned and grew as a writer, edits morphed the story accordingly.

In 2018, I finally admitted to more than a few confidants that the manuscript even existed, but still I asked myself: Am I willing to let my heart fracture in someone else’s hands?

But one step led to another. A writer’s conference and a God-ordained meeting with author Deb Raney in 2018. Asking her to edit my work in full, and taking her recommendation to contact Cynthia Ruchti of Books and Such Literary Agency. A proposal, a connection and a contract signed. Laboring over the proposal with Cynthia’s expert guidance, then her pronouncement in December 2020 that it’s ready to submit to potential publishers. A slight pause until February 1, 2021 to allow holiday hubbub to quiet and for me to work on “platform” numbers – the dreaded process of drawing attention to myself when I’d like nothing more than to stay in the background! But I long to give a message of hope to potential readers, a lifelong dream – this desire lifts my foot in the air, whatever it takes, and drives its placement forward. One step at a time.

What is a dream you hold in the secret corners of your heart? What is one step you can take toward it, today?

If you’d like to help me in my last week of building platform numbers before Cynthia submits the proposal to potential publishers, visit and “like” my facebook page and sign up for my quarterly author/artist email updates. On January 30, I’ll be giving away a free fine art print of my painting Indigo Iris (4) for every 50 sign-ups.