What a day!

I checked my email messages this morning to find a request/invitiation to write a short story to be included in a Christmas Anthlogy. Let me tell you as a writer there is no finer compliment than to be asked for a contribution to an anthology. For me its an honor because it means that my writing is enjoyed and other authors want you to be associated with their writings!

It was an easy decision for me to say yes. The harder aspect was coming up with a story that fit the parameters. The anthology is as I said, a Christmas one. Its actually an inspirational Christmas anthology focusing on God's grace.

Adding in to make it harder still is the fact that the word counts was 3k. Anyone who knows me knows I talk way too much and so trying to get the word count in the arena is hard. Unfortunately I think I went over. I belive the actually count was something like 3152. I've looked it over trying to find ways to whittle down the count but wasn't very successful. I hope that the editor enjoys the story and has suggestions on where to cut if I still need to.

Another problem for me was the fact that this was an Inspirational Christmas story. I don't beleive Christmas is a religious holiday. I think that the important thing is that we know he was born, lived, taught, suffered and died. I beleive that if God mean't for Jesus' birth to be celebrated once a year then He would've made the true date very obvious in the Bible. But I digress. I had to find a way of making this an inspirational story while not compromising my beleifs. That was kind of tricky in and of itself. But I've done it!

I began brainstorming this morning, around 11 with my friend Becka, and by 4:30 the story was written, edited, cleaned and off to my editor. Now comes the TRULY hard part, sitting and wiating to hear if I succeeded in giving her what she wanted for the anthology and if my story was accepted.

I HATE that the most out of all of it. Having to sit and wait while someone reads my writing, sweating and agonizing over the whole, do they love it, do they hate it, is it going to evoke tears (or laughter, or smiles, or etc). Basically, did I do my job?

As soon as I know, I'll share the news, trust me!

I'm also waiting to hear what the results are on my other short Do Overs will be. I'm still clinging and hoping to the wish that it will be picked up in that second chances anthology! That would be awesome! To have an anthology in the fall, the first witch storm, and a christmas Anthology all out about the same time frame! That would sure be sending this year out with a bang. Especially since I havent had any new releases this year at all. This is strictly my own fault and please dont think I'm complaining. I'm really not.

I also made plans this morning to attend the 30 anniversary of the school I graduated from. The school, Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis was established thrity years ago by several of the Churches of Christ across Missouri and Illinois as a private school where the students can get an education in a religious atmosphere. Where we could learn the scriptures daily, prais God daily in chapel, and still get a good basic education.

This next weekend, June 30 and July 1 will be a celebration of the opening of the doors of the Academy and a chance for all the alumni to get to see each other and visit. I havent seen the people I graduated with since graduation, with the exception of 4 people and i'm hoping most of them will come.

I laughingly informed my mom the only reason I as going was to brag to the classes. See I wasn't the most popular girl in school. As a matter of fact you know how in school therewas always the one kid that everyone went out of their way to torment? The one that everyone teased mercilessly and laughed at because they cried all day long? That was me!

So anyway I joked with my mom that the only reason I was going to go was so I could show them all that I have made a success of my life. I know that I'm the only one in the class, indeed the only alumn who can honestly say that I am an internationally read, best selling author.

And while that would be an excellent motivation for attending the function, in truth the reason I'm going is because I did have some really truly great friends and I'm dying to see them, few as they were! I look forward to seeing everyone so if you attended the Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis at any point in the last thirty years, I hope you'll pop in and say hello.

Well my DH is home already, (where did the time go?) and I haven't even started dinner yet! Til next time!

Huggles and Happy Reading!
Donica