1. January 2010 by Rachel.

Can’t believe it’s 2010. Everyone says they can’t believe where 2009 has gone, so I won’t say it here too. What I will say though, is that I’m excited to see what God’s got in store for me this year.

I’m glad to say that I had a boost in sales for my books near Christmas. Whether it was through friends or strangers who found my website, I was happy to distribute more copies. Someone asked me the other day how my marketing was going. I told them “good enough for me.” And it is.

On the upside, I’ve been asked to present a workshop at the Iowa Reading Conference in Des Moines in April. This will be the biggest event I will have spoken at so far, so it’s very exciting. I’m already starting to plan what topics I will be covering.

Still writing. Still working. Still living. Updates to follow.

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24. November 2009 by Rachel.

The weather is colder, the days are shorter, and the book writing/marketing is progressing.

Marketing Discovering the Dawn is going well. Slowly, but well. I recently spoke at a women’s supper at a local church and received much positive feedback. Still marketing my other books as well, though that has slowed some.

Still gradually working on my devotion book and my next novel. A proofing project is complete, giving me one area of relief. However, a new and bigger project has taken its place. A partner and I have taken on the project of starting our own publishing business. A grand adventure it has already become, and we’re looking forward to the future.

More to come.

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2. November 2009 by Rachel.

I should write more often. I say that over and over, and my desire is to have more frequent updates about my end of the world. Until I accomplish that, I will share once again.

Discovering the Dawn is now available! That is my biggest most recent accomplishment. It turned out beautifully and I’m thrilled to now be promoting it. After my recent mailing to announce the release, I’m expecting a fair response.

I’m also beginning a partnership in starting a self-publishing company. This is quite the venture but a very exciting one.

My home life has been an adventure of its own as of late. Working, taking care of grandparents as Grandpa has been in the hospital, and trying to keep up at home has been a weight of stress. But, the Lord is seeing me through. My time spent writing has slowed down, but as a friend pointed out, it has not been stolen.

Being a part of the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild has been a pleasure. Involving myself with other writers is a blessing, and I love our monthly meetings.

Next up is work on my next novel, finishing my devotion book and developing my guide for novel writing into something that can be adequately shared with other writers.

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8. September 2009 by Rachel.

I saw brown corn today. Suddenly I realized that summer is coming to a close. How could it have gone so quickly?

On the upside, today I completed the final text edits of Discovering the Dawn. I’m very pleased with this. A little behind schedule, but not by much. Next step: cover.

Still entering FaithWriters challenges and having fun. Rocking Chairs won another Editor’s Choice - I’m always  thrilled when this is accomplished, though this quarter’s topics haven’t been my favorite.

I’ve written a brief manual for writing novels that I will be sharing at the next Writers Guild meeting. If it is received well, I may  try to develop it into some kind of booklet. While concise, it does contain elements that I hope writers will find helpful.

Every day, I seem to love writing more. I guess even passions have room to deepen.

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20. August 2009 by Rachel.

Tonight was my third time with the Writers Guild and once again, I enjoyed myself. It’s a small group, but worth it. Thanks to Allen for keeping things going.

Having returned home from vacation in NY, I think perhaps I have a few new perspectives. It was a long journey and I can never tire of spending time with my friend. But I was ready to be back in my country home.

My latest goal for Discovering the Dawn is to have my edits complete  by the end of this month - which is quickly approaching. Will I have a book in hand by the end of September? We’ll see.

In the meantime, I’ve decided to start sharing chapters of my next book with the Guild to gain some feedback. As a work in progress, now is the time.

Skipping several weeks of FaithWriters left my creativity weak, but this week I entered again and already have inspiration for next week.

Writing continues… life continues. At times they cross paths, at other times they run parallel to each other. But both exist and both are passing by more quickly than my eyes can register.

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21. July 2009 by Rachel.

Ahh, adventure. I’d never be accused of being the adventurous type. But tomorrow does start a new adventure for me. Just getting on a plane is an adventure in itself anymore. Especially for me, staring out the window as we take off and land - not looking forward to that part of the trip. But the end result is worth it. Vacation… seeing one of my best friends… what could be better?

While away from home and work, I’ll have a handful of hours to sit, ponder plots and do some writing and editing. I’m looking forward to that as well. I find a loner needs some simple “me” time, and that, I shall have.

Hoping to bring back with me stories of my time. I’m anxious to see what God has in mind for this trip.

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1. July 2009 by Rachel.

While time is flying by, ideas are flying through my head. I can’t stop writing… the plotlines keep coming.

Summer. Where did spring go? No use looking for it - pretty soon, it will be here again and I will be wondering where the past year went.

I’m happy to share that one of my FaithWriter challenge pieces was selected as their Best of the Best for their 2008/2009 year.  Very exciting and what an honor. While I enter the challenges to polish my writing and enjoy the weekly motivation, it’s a great thrill to have accomplished this.

Beyond Yesterday has a new title: Discovering the Dawn. It has been edited and the text is ready. A cover picture has been chosen and now the design work begins. I’m still hoping to see this in print by the end of the summer.

In the meantime, I have joined the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild. After the honor of being the guest speaker once, I have attended another meeting as a member and enjoyed it very much. I’m looking forward to more interaction with the other writers, and also taking part in a newspaper column that the Guild will write for. I’m anxious to see what other opportunities will spring from this.

The start of July signals that my vacation is coming up. I can’t wait to see a best friend of mine - it will have been almost a year since we saw each other last. It seems too long anymore.

Early summer has brought on horseback riding and it’s been fun. Thankfully my hip has been doing well and wearing a knee brace keeps that pain to a minimum. I hope that my physical improvement will continue.

Until next time… I will be continuing the adventure of life. I will post again soon and will give an update on Discovering the Dawn.

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28. May 2009 by Rachel.

The end of the month is drawing to a close, but it’s going out with a bang in all areas of my life. May 2009 will be remembered.

First, my writing adventure. I have to share how God is at work. Whenever I hit a low time and begin to question where I’m supposed to go with my writing, God throws something in my lap. This month was no exception. I asked, and I received.

Last night, I was honored to be the guest speaker at the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild which met in Atlantic. It was a different and new experience, but one that I enjoyed and have learned from.

Tonight, I had the privilege of speaking to the ladies circle from the Lewis Church of Christ. It really was a lot of fun. I was able to share my passion with enthusiasm that was returned, and my statements of faith were understood.

Two events right in a row has spurred me on once again. I continue to be encouraged to write.

Recently I was venting my frustrations to a friend, and she asked me why I wrote. I said it was because I have to. She went on to say that I should write because I want to, not because I felt I had to. She was right, however, I had to explain that that’s not what I meant. What I was truly saying, was that writing is like breathing, to me. I cannot live without it. This has been my most recent discovery and lesson.

I am still entering FaithWriters challenges. One article a couple weeks ago received second place. I was pleased with this outcome. My drive to write a masterpiece has been heightened.

Beyond Yesterday is in its final, final editing stage. Next will come formatting, which has me excited. Perhaps I will see it in print by the end of the summer.

Apart from my writing, my home life has changed just slightly. For the first time, we have fewer than three horses of our own. We are down to two. Four and even three were simply too much for us any more. One horse ended up just down the road from us. I can’t decide if I like that or not. It is a change that I’m not sure I was ready for, but it’s here no matter what. While horses have brought me a long way in life, it is an area in which there are parts I must let go.

My work at Deaf Missions continues as we approach a very busy time with many new projects. A passion has become a job, but it is my belief that it is God’s plan.

July is nearing and I am more than ready for my planned vacation. In the meantime though, I am moving forward. Whether it’s my writing, my home life or at work. No matter how slow the progress, an inch forward is greater than a step back.

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3. May 2009 by Rachel.

May. April somehow slipped by into the volumes of the past. It was a difficult month, and my hope is that May will be smoother. God is in control for sure, but a few less wrinkles would be nice.

In my world of writing, I’m finishing up the edits on my book, thinking about my next one, and continuing to enter the FaithWriters challenges. Last week’s “The Composition” won first place. It was my first top placement, and it also puts me in the running for the “Best of the Best” which they will announce come July.

My life at home has been quiet, thankfully. Spring is here, and the garden is in. All I’ve done so far is simply observe, though I’m sure I’ll wind up with dirt under my fingernails soon enough.

And now, life moves on. While I have little to report on, that is good. For without chaos, there is time for rest.

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10. April 2009 by Rachel.

Time. It has slipped away so quickly. Goals of frequent posts… goals of writing more articles… they have gotten lost somewhere between the minutes and the second hand of the clock.

What has happened? It is all lost within the fog of work, the coming of spring, and  everyday life.

But not all is lost. My latest book is in its final editing stages. I have written a few articles and have even attempted some song lyrics. I’ve got another article up on FaithWriters and am going to try to become more involved there.

What is next? Only God knows, but I’m glad He keeps track of it so I don’t have to. Lots going on in my life. Lots of hurdles and trials as of late. But I am striving to gain ground.

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