It started as a story in my head more years ago than I can count. Some friends believed in me and someone even hunted down an out-of-print book that I longed for to help me with my history for the genre I wanted to write in. What a gift! I started writing and then, well, I lost confidence.  I had started my book using a pencil and paper. I still have those pages.

Fast forward to October 2009. I awoke from a dream where I distinctly heard God telling me to do NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, http://www.nanowrimo.org). I thought, “Really, God?” But then I reasoned: it wasn’t illegal, it didn’t cost me anything, and if I didn’t “win” I had nothing to lose. So I gave it a try. That story was still there in my head, just begging to be told. So I decided to go for it.

I had a blast. I was supposed to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I wrote a 110,000 novel in 17 days! What a rush! I’m still doing re-writes of “The Virtuous Viscount” and am pursuing publication. I’ve written three other historical (Regency) novels since then as well as two contemporary ones – all in various stages of revision. I love every part of it and have been blessed to have honest feedback and encouragement again from those who believe in the ministry God has placed before me with my writing.

Ministry? Well, let me tell you! That first novel reconnected me with a friend (and even distant relation) that I had lost track of 25 years before. I had prayed for her through the years and wondered where she was. Well, “where she was” happened to be on NaNoWriMo in 2009 and God led her to respond to a forum which neither of us engaged in generally. We reconnected in person (we both were living in the same town again by God’s great providence) and I also got to connect with some other long lost high school friends. The opportunity to love and pray for these women has been tremendous. And my NaNo friend has come back to a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ! How thrilling that God would let me be part of her journey back to HIM!  All because of a dream and a gift for telling a story. She’s now one of my first readers of any of my works. What a delight!

I’m still learning and growing in my gifts. I serve as a volunteer  in Women’s Ministry at Community Church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I teach a theology class there to women and do one-on-one mentoring. I strive to be the best mom possible to my three children, ages 13, 11 and 8.  I’m a stay at-home-mom . . .who isn’t always home!  And – I’m an author pursuing the story and sometimes finding my days and weeks overrun by characters that behave about as well as my kids do some days!

It’s been a fun ride – and it’s only just begun. Life is hard, but hopefully I can continue to inspire those who read my words, to persevere with hope and with a deeper dependence of the amazing Triune God. I may write romance about men and women – but the bigger romance is between Jesus, (Yeshua) and ourselves. He is my love and my passion. What a privilege to be able to serve Him – and hopefully you as well.