So here it is my first solo book “Lesson From An Ordinary Life“. To say it was quite a journey would be an understatement. Always a storyteller, let me tell you my tale.
“Lessons From An Ordinary Life”
Childhood – Volume 1
The thought or glimmer of an idea for a book started about 3 years ago. I had shared a story as an analogy to help a friend with a current challenge. That same friend suggested that I write my stories and publish them. At the time, I thought that doing so was impossible. How could a dyslexic like me write a book? Ironically, that very story became one of the first stories I published on my blog.
As my blog grew, so did my collection of stories. The biggest surprise for me was the interest in my stories and the illustrations that accompanied them. As I became more immersed in the online world, I meet and made some awesome friends. These new friends voiced that same sentiment about publishing my stories. In fact, they strongly suggested that I publish my stories with my illustrations. I would laugh and think, me… really? As my blog continued to grow, more and more friends encouraged me to think about doing so.
Still not thinking that a book of my stories was a possibility, I never the less entered into a collaboration to write a book with my close friend Cheryl Therrien call D.R.E.A.M Catchers. It’s a book about simple ways to interrupt our big dream symbols. It was a blast, and we felt good about the experience.
The noise about why I should publish a book of my stories grew louder. My husband and best friend were the deciding factors. After many conversations, he talked me into this book with the thought “What do you have to lose” I finally relented and “The Book” was conceived.
Elizabeth Scott, Cheryl Therrien/Grandmothers Diaries, and Jeri Walker-Bickett/Editing Services became my support and publishing team. Elizabeth helped gather the stories and send them to Jeri for editing. Once the collections of stories were edited, we collectively made a decision which stories would be appropriate for my first small book.
Then there was the challenge of what it should be titled. A brainstorming session with Elizabeth and Cheryl resulted in the title “Lessons From An Ordinary Life“. It was thought that this title lent itself to any additional volumes, and the different stages of life my stories are about. Jeri agreed, so the game was now afoot. The formatting was the next biggest hurdle, and it proved to be a big one because of the images. With Cheryl’s help and much support from Elizabeth and Jeri, we finally got “Lessons Fro
m An Ordinary Life” completed.
I don’t know who was more surprised that the book has published, my team, my husband or myself. The fact is I wouldn’t/couldn’t have done it without them. For that, I thank each of them from the bottom of my heart.
“Lessons From An Ordinary Life – Volume 1” is a collection of 10 of my short stories about an event in my childhood accompanied with one of my illustrations. To quote Jeri; “Finding our way through life involves an equal share of joy and woe. The stories we often tell each other throughout the journey help us make sense of it all. The childhood memories collected here act as self-discovery guideposts for the author and reader alike. The deceptively simple lessons shed light on the power stories have to shape and connect us. This collection and the accompanying artwork are a must for those who seek comfort in wondering about life’s seemingly random treasure box of experiences.”
Please take a moment and check out “Lessons From An Ordinary Life” on Amazon in print and eBook form. I do hope you enjoy what I’ve created, all with a great deal of help.
Life’s journey continues…