Update from the Valley-Dweller

by | Aug 23, 2010 | Fiction Book Reviews | 27 comments

If you read my last post, while I was wandering through the Valley of the Shadow of Quit, you’ll understand why I’m chuckling right now.

I’ve been praying for the past week about whether I should push this writing-gig to the back burner or not. Was it time for a break from pursuing publication? Of course, I couldn’t ‘give up’ writing altogether, because that would be like removing my over-active imagination, but I could slow down the pace.

Well, within the past four days two things have happened.

1. I received a request for a proposal

2. I received a request for a full ms.

(on two different projects)

So, now I’m giggling at God…or maybe with God…or maybe at myself because of God. 🙂

He’s either trying to give me an EMPHATIC – No, do not back off of your writing. It’s a gift!! A talent!!

or

He’s pushing me over the edge so I have no choice BUT to back off 😉

I’m thinking the former. What about you?

27 Comments

  1. Julia

    Wow, how exciting. I will pray for you that your time will be stretched so you can accomplish all that God desires. Congratulations!

    Reply
  2. pepperbasham

    Thanks, Julia.
    I’m still grinning about the irony of it all. God does have such a great sense of humor 🙂

    Reply
  3. Casey

    Oh, oh, oh, oh, OHHHHHHHHH! I can’t stop grinning and my fingers aren’t moving FAST ENOUGH to tell you how excited, thrilled, awed, oh…. EXCITED I am (did I say that already??)

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Oh Casey, how sweet of you. I’m glad you’re excited. I’m just nervous. They want a full and I don’t have one (and they knew that already…AHHHH!) So I guess I’d better get to writing, eh?

      Reply
      • Casey

        Is this for the Barbour one? The collection or something? Don’t be nervous, they ASKED and I think that is huge!! And if they know that, they I would think they are going to let you at least let you write it. And hey, I can do the weekend edition for you for a while if I need to. Just say the word. 🙂

        Reply
  4. Edwina Cowgill

    Pepper,

    What awesome news!! God is so good and always answers right on time!

    Congratulations and prayers for continued success!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Edwina,
      Thanks, and I will take all the prayers I can get. Life is busy…very busy. Time to try and fit more writing time in.

      Reply
  5. Regina Merrick

    I’m giggling right along with you, Pepper! I just wrote a blog post (to go up on Thursday) about whether or not I “deserve” to be published. My conclusion? No. We don’t any of us deserve the good things that happen, but we have a Savior who WANTS good things for us, and has the POWER to give them to us, simply because He loves us! Congratulations, and Praise the Lord!!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Regina,
      Giggle away with me. I’m so glad God gives me more than I deserve. So much more. I’m incredibly nervous about this, but He will make a way.

      Reply
  6. Christina

    That is awesome news, Pepper! God has such a wonderful sense of humor.

    I’m still hanging out in the valley of quit. I’ve been praying so much. And I’ve kind of had things go the other way. A lady who offered to look over my ms before I sent it off fell and ended up in the hospital. Then, on a whim I entered a new ms into two contest in the Inspy category. I know I did not final and I’m anxiously awaiting the scores. The idea of quitting all together is too distressing to consider, but IF God wants me to quit I will. I’m just not getting a definite answer. And it has always been that way since I started writing. Like I’ll final in a contest but get third. Or I won’t final only to find out that I actually did, and get third. Or I won’t final but discover that my score was within 96%, which is good, just not final good.

    I feel like a ping pong ball. Yes, keep going. No stop! Okay, go! 🙂 I need a wink.

    Reply
    • Melanie Dickerson

      Christina, if you’re finaling at all, even third place, that is really good! I’d say that’s a good sign!!!

      Reply
      • Christina

        Thank you, Melanie. That finalling was on a manuscript that I’ve since stuck under the bed. I know finaling is a good thing. But since I’ve changed direction and started writing more inspirational it seems to have gone down hill.

        Thank you for the encouragement. I know I need to keep my head up and keep working on climbing that wall.

        Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Christina,
      I agree with Melanie -finaling is a very good sign. God’s used finalling in a contest A LOT to encourage me along this writing journey. If he’s keeping you going, then your bound to win that ping pong match.

      Reply
      • Christina

        Pepper, I didn’t mean for it to sound as if I was raining on your parade. I didn’t mean to do that. I’m super excited for you and will be praying for an awesome outcome! And yeah, I’m pretty sure I’ll win that ping pong match.

        Reply
      • Pepper

        Christina,
        No worries. I didn’t think that at all. I just wanted to encourage you back. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to finish all of this stuff. aHHHHH! 🙂

        Reply
  7. Melanie Dickerson

    Praise the Lord, Pepper! God did things like that for me to keep me going. I know it’s God! He is so faithful. And you may get lower in the valley before it’s all over with, but God is there with you. Keep waiting on him and listening to his direction.

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Thanks for the encouragement, Melanie. Still shaking in my shoes. You’ll NEVER guess which novel they asked for a full about…. guess.
      I was SHOCKED!!! LOL
      Scary part is, the novel isn’t finished (and I made them aware of that when I sent in the proposal), so I’m going to have to work double or triple time to get it ready. AHHHHHH!!!! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kathleen

    You have the gift and talent He has the timing. So He must also have the completed ideas He has picked you to convey to the readers. Enjoy the journey.

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Thanks, Kathleen. Been thinking of you guys and hope all is well.

      Reply
  9. Sherrinda

    Oooooohhhhhhhhhh! Congratulations! That is wonderful news! What do you mean you don’t have a full??? I thought the one set in England/US was finished. 🙂 You can do it and get it all done. God will see you through.

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      I have a full of the contemp, but that’s not the one they asked for.
      Guess which one? Guess. I’m totally shocked.

      Reply
      • Casey

        The vampire one?

        Reply
      • Pepper

        Yes, isn’t that CRAZY

        Reply
  10. Sharon

    Congrats!!!

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Thanks, Sharon.

      Reply
  11. Sherrinda

    Of course it was the vampire one! That is what is HOT right now!!!! Woohoo! I love God working like that. 😉

    Reply
  12. Casey

    Which publisher requested it? Wouldn’t that be something, your debut in vampire fiction??

    Reply

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