I think some of us come out of the womb looking for a good book.
Growing up, you could find me ingesting everything from Agatha Christie novels to World War II historical fiction. I was constantly reading — at age eleven and twelve, I even went through a SVH and First Love by Silhouette stage! Fortunately, after I read about a 100 of those, (not even exaggerating!) I moved on to Jane Austen.
Looking back, Susan laughs, wondering what on earth she was doing all that time I was reading. (She read an average amount I suppose, but was definitely not bitten by the book bug like I was.)
It was not until I was fourteen, though, that I knew I wanted to be a writer. Along with about a million other young readers, I was completely captivated by To Kill a Mockingbird. Just a few pages in, I knew that telling stories was what I wanted to do.
As my teen years turned into my twenties, I realized I was never going to become a Pulitzer prize winning novelist. But I loved to write inspirational pieces, sharing my faith through every day moments and reflections.
I dreamed of writing devotional books, and perhaps writing inspirational pieces for magazines like Guideposts.
When I became a youth minister with Youth for Christ, I used my writing daily, developing talks, Bible Studies, devotionals and newsletters. But even though my writing was an integral part of my job, (and really, deep down I believe a person IS a writer if that is the medium they use to express and process the world around them,) I never felt I deserved to be called a “writer.â€
When I discovered blogging in the beginning of 2006, I was thrilled. I had found the perfect platform for my style of writing. Short, conversational pieces inspired by daily living. I could use my experiences as a mom to not only remember my days as a young mother, but to hopefully touch others too.
But, as fulfilled as I am as a blogger, a part of me still longs to be recognized as a “writer,†to have an editor give me that approval, that “welcome to the club.â€
Tomorrow that dream comes true…
Tomorrow, Guideposts will publish the first installment of my new weekly column on Guideposts.com. It will be featured on the home page of Guideposts.com. Having grown up reading and admiring Guideposts magazine, I am honored, thrilled – and yes, just a bit giddy!
It is a dream come true for me — a good, old-fashioned, dream come true.
Just in case you want to celebrate with me, we will be publishing a teaser to my article tomorrow and it will link over to Guideposts for you to read the complete piece there.
And yes, I will have a huge smile on my face as I thank my Lord for letting this dream of mine come true.
I’m raising my virtual glass of champagne (er…sparkling cider, that is…I’m nursing a 3-week-old baby at the moment…) to you in celebration. What a wonderful thing it is when a dream comes true.
Congrats, Janice!
Writing for Guideposts is a dream of mine, too! Congrats, and I’m off to read it now!!
I have been experiencing a Ephiany of sorts myself. I have a love for writing and sharing events both good and bad in my life and my family. I love to read inspirtional stories, I will look forward to reading yours. I have been praying for many purposes, I pray for my family, and to find new friends who can guide me in the right direction. I have been accompanying a close friend of mine to a Womens Ministry that is Christian, (I am Catholic). But I have met other friends through this alliance, the other people are also Catholic, but love what they get out of the Ministry. It is a great out-let for me, as I continue to meet new and interesting women, and that will hopefully get me to find new friends, and new interests. I will look forward to your success and your inspirational stories.
Congrats on a great post! (I’ve been to Disney World without my kids, too. That’s a weird feeling!)
Now, tell us HOW you did it! 🙂
Congrats! That is so exciting!
I have wanted to be a “writer” for a long time now, too – and like you said, I guess that’s probably why I blog. I would love to have a similar opportunity that has been given to you. I’ve just got to get my confidence up and get out there!
Kudos to you for making it happen!
From another bookworm who secretly longs to one day have an editor welcome her as well… Congratulations! That’s a wonderful magazine. What an awesome reminder, as someone else here said, that God does give us the desires of our hearts.
Congratulations! That is awesome! Can’t wait to read your first column.
Congrats, Janice! That is wonderful news (and this was a great post — of course, from another booklover!!).
Awesome ! Congratulations…
Nice blog. I surely will be back again to read your articles. By the way, thanks for following my blog. :))
I am so happy for you! Your joy and excitement are obvious. I can’t wait to read your articles!
How wonderful! Looking forward to reading your articles soon. 🙂 I didn’t even realize that Guideposts was online, lol. Shows how much I pay attention.
Congratulations….
Janice – I can only imagine how absolutely thrilled you are – congrats! So amazing.
Awww, I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!!!
Janice! Ecstatic for you!!! That’s GREAT!
Janice,
That is a great accomplishment. Good job. Inspiring the rest of us to keep plugging along.
Oh Janice That is so exciting!! I am so happy for you. I have always dreamed of being a writer, so I can imagining how thrilling this is for you! God is so good. I love how He delights to give us the desires of our hearts!
Congrats!! Can’t wait to read it tomorrow!
That is so amazing, Janice!! You totally deserve it! How exciting! I can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations!! That is awesome news! 🙂
How wonderful!! SOOO happy for you!!
You go girl!
Can’t wait to check it out!
Congratulations, Janice! So happy for you and looking forward to read what you have written.
How neat! I use to read Guideposts all the time. I’ll have more of an excuse to read it now!
So awesome for you!!! It’s not often a dream like that comes true, so enjoy!
that is awesome! congratulations!
Awesome! It is so exciting when those dreams finally do come true! Congratulations and I’ll definitely check out your column tomorrow!
That is so exciting!!! Congratulations!!!
Janice, that is AWESOME! CONGRATULATIONS!!! That’s worth just the tiniest little celebration, I think. 😉
That is so awesome Janice. I grew up reading Guideposts as well thanks to my Grandmother. I still LOVE reading them 🙂
Congratulations! You totally deserve it! I can’t wait to read your first column. 🙂
Wow! This is wonderful! Janice, so excited!
Steph
That’s a major and wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read your piece. … I’ve always loved Guideposts.
That is so wonderful! Congratulations! I imagine you are walking on air! 🙂
Janice – this is wonderful news. I am so happy for you. Congratulations. I can’t wait to read the posts.
Yay! That is amazing! What an honor-you deserve it!
Congrats!
Congratulations! You should be SO PROUD of yourself!