Читать книгу Leesa's Story: Book Three of the Lane Trilogy - Vicki Inc. Andree - Страница 4

God is so good! He arranged the whole thing. We were sitting around my sister’s home in North Platte, Nebraska one evening in early November, 2009. My sister, Ginger; her husband, Terry; my other sister, Cynthia; her husband, Dave; my husband, David; and I had burned out on playing Hand and Foot Canasta. I told them about my first book, On Our Own in Jerusalem’s Old City, and how eager I was waiting for the first published copy and to finally see it on Amazon.

Then I told them that our brother, Gary, challenged me to write fifty thousand words in November and to enter the NaNoWriMo competition. I had never written fiction, but that night I decided to take him up on the challenge. After all, it would take my mind off waiting for the book at Aventine Press.

I wanted to write about someone who gets converted by a Damascus road experience. In no time, I was having more fun with my imagination than in a long time. As I read my first scene aloud, my family offered suggestions and encouragement. Before I knew it, Lyza’s Story took off.

Thanks to Ginger and Terry Ault, Cynthia and Dave Matzek, and David Andree, I had a story to enter NaNoWriMo. Eventually, it grew to over two hundred forty thousand words and three books!

Many wonderful people helped me out in different ways. Thanks to the ACFW His Writers group that encouraged me as a newbie to fiction. I had the time of my life writing fiction and making new friends. Thank you, Donna Schlachter, for introducing me to Tuesday morning write-ins and leading me to the Word Crafters critique group, which taught me how to mold the stories to the rules of the craft. Thanks also to the Christian Writer’s Guild critique group, Word Weavers.

Several individuals helped me by listening to me whine from time to time. Scott Lockhart and Craig Lockhart gave me valuable technical advice. Ginger Ault took time out of her busy schedule to read each book, to tell me ‘the truth,’ and make suggestions. Diane King read rough drafts and provided prayer support. Barb Lem also provided much needed prayer support. Preston Wolfram was the Australia expert, having just returned from a summer of work there. And editor Misti Wolanski made the book much better. Thanks so much to each and every one of you.

Finally, thanks to my incredible husband, David. The Lane Trilogy would have never made it to print without David. He has been at my side through the peaks and valleys. He talked me out of it when I wanted to throw it all away. He edited every page several times, earning the title of “hatchet man.” His constant encouragement kept me plugging away though the years of rewrites.