Thanks for having me as a guest here at Novel Journey. Jerry is a hard act to follow, but I’ll do my best.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jerry (and his lovely wife) many times. In fact, I’m teaching once again at his Christian Writers Guild Writing for the Soul Conference in Colorado Springs in 2008 The fact I’ve met Jerry Jenkins boggles my mind. The fact I call many of today’s bestselling CBA authors “friend” boggles my mind.
In thinking and praying about what to write for this Guest Blog posting, I kept coming back to the topic of making our dreams come true. A few short years ago, I was an unpublished author dreaming about being published. I scoured my Christina Writers Guide from cover to cover and conducted countless mailings to acquire my first agent. The first volume in the God Allows U-Turns anthology series was published in 2001. Today, there are 23 non-fiction and fiction books under the recognized God Allows U-Turns “brand.”
I am living a dream come true. So can you.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jerry (and his lovely wife) many times. In fact, I’m teaching once again at his Christian Writers Guild Writing for the Soul Conference in Colorado Springs in 2008 The fact I’ve met Jerry Jenkins boggles my mind. The fact I call many of today’s bestselling CBA authors “friend” boggles my mind.
In thinking and praying about what to write for this Guest Blog posting, I kept coming back to the topic of making our dreams come true. A few short years ago, I was an unpublished author dreaming about being published. I scoured my Christina Writers Guide from cover to cover and conducted countless mailings to acquire my first agent. The first volume in the God Allows U-Turns anthology series was published in 2001. Today, there are 23 non-fiction and fiction books under the recognized God Allows U-Turns “brand.”
I am living a dream come true. So can you.
Today is Day 14 in my first International Blog Tour. I’m visiting one blog after another to promote my second novel: One Little Secret.
NJ: You can access Allison's tour schedule here.
Although I’m responding to each blog host individually, a common theme has begun to appear in the questions.
“Many of our readers only dream of accomplishing the things you have. What would you say is the first step to turning your life around and making your dreams come true?”
Hands down—it is believing that you can—believing that you are worthy—believing that God has called you to a grand and glorious purpose. Believing that your dreams can come true! God wants all of us to live joy-filled lives. He has placed desires and dreams in our hearts not to torment us, but to encourage us and guide us.
I grew up watching the Wide World of Disney on TV every Sunday night. I hummed the theme song for decades, “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires, will come to you…” But it’s more than wishing on a star. It’s believing that God has a purpose for your life, and doing whatever it takes to understand that purpose and achieve that dream while walking in God’s will for your life.
I was 35-years old when I made the choice to fill the empty place in my heart and soul with an intimate relationship with Jesus. It was a choice that changed my life—and the story that unfolded as a result of that new direction u-turn is far more grand and glorious than I could ever have imagined on my own.
One Little Secret is a small part of my journey. Yes, it’s a dream come true—being published as a novelist. But I know in my heart that I owe it all to a Sovereign God whose plan for my life requires me to adhere to living a life of spiritual integrity—and that takes conscious choices each and every day I’m alive. Being a Christian who walks the talk isn’t easy—not by a long shot. Scripture tells us, “Choose this day whom you will serve,” and that means more than going to church on Sunday.
With every book I am blessed to have published, comes a deep feeling of responsibility. God has greatly blessed me, and it is my desire to write work that will glorify Him. Long story short, life is a series of choices each and every moment we are alive—“choose this day whom you will serve.”
I guess what I’d like to say is that if I can do it—so can you. The fact I’ve been published at all boggles my mind. I want to encourage readers who have a desire to write to never give up! I also want them to stop judging themselves against other writers. I’m a high school drop out with a ninth grade education and a GED. I quit school after the 9th grade to run away from home and get married. I was going to live happily ever after in my fairy tale dream.
But that’s NOT what happened. As a teenager, I was looking for love in all the wrong places. As a Boomer Babe, I know a whole lot more about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. I also know a whole lot more about pursuing the dreams of our heart…walking in God’s purpose for our life, and making life-changing U-Turns. Boomer Babes Rock is all about living the great American dream. It’s about deciding today… that THIS is the break-out year when you’re going to make things happen—and happen in a BIG way! And that’s what One Little Secret is about. It’s about a dynamic woman who takes a risk to make her lifelong dream come true.
Ane, writing is not about formal education, or who you know, or how long you’ve been at it. It’s about perseverance and risk and belief in yourself—and knowing that inevitably, God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Thanks, Ane, for hosting me on Novel Journey today. It’s been a joy visiting with you and your readers.
I invite Novel Journey readers to tell me what they think about One Little Secret. I really do want to hear reader feedback. I’m working on my next novel to release in summer of 2009, and I take to heart reader comments. They can reach me here: and please, I’d love to invite everyone to participate in the Hollywood Casting Call Contest where a lucky winner can win an all expense paid trip to Hollywood! Visit my web site and select the actors and actresses you think would make the best lead characters in One Little Secret! Check it out here:
And …we have a monthly newsletter that we call a “Dream-Zine,” I’d love to invite your readers to subscribe.
And one final thing, we have a co-authored blog with six best selling authors blogging each and every day – BOOMER BABES WITH BRILLIANT DREAMS.
“Many of our readers only dream of accomplishing the things you have. What would you say is the first step to turning your life around and making your dreams come true?”
Hands down—it is believing that you can—believing that you are worthy—believing that God has called you to a grand and glorious purpose. Believing that your dreams can come true! God wants all of us to live joy-filled lives. He has placed desires and dreams in our hearts not to torment us, but to encourage us and guide us.
I grew up watching the Wide World of Disney on TV every Sunday night. I hummed the theme song for decades, “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires, will come to you…” But it’s more than wishing on a star. It’s believing that God has a purpose for your life, and doing whatever it takes to understand that purpose and achieve that dream while walking in God’s will for your life.
I was 35-years old when I made the choice to fill the empty place in my heart and soul with an intimate relationship with Jesus. It was a choice that changed my life—and the story that unfolded as a result of that new direction u-turn is far more grand and glorious than I could ever have imagined on my own.
One Little Secret is a small part of my journey. Yes, it’s a dream come true—being published as a novelist. But I know in my heart that I owe it all to a Sovereign God whose plan for my life requires me to adhere to living a life of spiritual integrity—and that takes conscious choices each and every day I’m alive. Being a Christian who walks the talk isn’t easy—not by a long shot. Scripture tells us, “Choose this day whom you will serve,” and that means more than going to church on Sunday.
With every book I am blessed to have published, comes a deep feeling of responsibility. God has greatly blessed me, and it is my desire to write work that will glorify Him. Long story short, life is a series of choices each and every moment we are alive—“choose this day whom you will serve.”
I guess what I’d like to say is that if I can do it—so can you. The fact I’ve been published at all boggles my mind. I want to encourage readers who have a desire to write to never give up! I also want them to stop judging themselves against other writers. I’m a high school drop out with a ninth grade education and a GED. I quit school after the 9th grade to run away from home and get married. I was going to live happily ever after in my fairy tale dream.
But that’s NOT what happened. As a teenager, I was looking for love in all the wrong places. As a Boomer Babe, I know a whole lot more about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. I also know a whole lot more about pursuing the dreams of our heart…walking in God’s purpose for our life, and making life-changing U-Turns. Boomer Babes Rock is all about living the great American dream. It’s about deciding today… that THIS is the break-out year when you’re going to make things happen—and happen in a BIG way! And that’s what One Little Secret is about. It’s about a dynamic woman who takes a risk to make her lifelong dream come true.
Ane, writing is not about formal education, or who you know, or how long you’ve been at it. It’s about perseverance and risk and belief in yourself—and knowing that inevitably, God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Thanks, Ane, for hosting me on Novel Journey today. It’s been a joy visiting with you and your readers.
I invite Novel Journey readers to tell me what they think about One Little Secret. I really do want to hear reader feedback. I’m working on my next novel to release in summer of 2009, and I take to heart reader comments. They can reach me here: and please, I’d love to invite everyone to participate in the Hollywood Casting Call Contest where a lucky winner can win an all expense paid trip to Hollywood! Visit my web site and select the actors and actresses you think would make the best lead characters in One Little Secret! Check it out here:
And …we have a monthly newsletter that we call a “Dream-Zine,” I’d love to invite your readers to subscribe.
And one final thing, we have a co-authored blog with six best selling authors blogging each and every day – BOOMER BABES WITH BRILLIANT DREAMS.
NJ: Be watching for Allison's new 3-book series from David C. Cook, due out in 2009 titled VA VA VA BOOM!
To see the review of One Little Secret, go to Novel Reviews.
To see the review of One Little Secret, go to Novel Reviews.
Allison, this is wonderful. It goes right along with everything that God has been teaching me the last couple of months-- that I have worth, that walking with Him can mean a life full of passion and adventure, that He made me the way I am (a person with a desire to write) and has important work He wants me to do with that gift. This post also confirms for me a decision I made this past week. Back in the spring I decided I should have a Bachelor's in English, maybe even a Master's. I got all worked up about the idea, told everyone I was going back to school, got my husband to agree, and took my first class (I already had about 30 credits from 10 years ago.) The whole thing would have taken me years- one or two classes at a time, while also writing and home schooling my children- and tons of money. I finally said, "Why am I doing this? Nobody really cares if you have a degree. What people want is a good story. What I need to do is just keep reading and writing..." A little embarrassed about my big plan falling through, I told husband, who was not surprised (I do this kind of thing:). I think the real reason for wanting the degree might have had something more to do with looking like a smarter person, feeling worthier. Not good reasons, anyway. I feel at peace and your post was a nice surprise this morning! God bless.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post, Allison. Loved your honesty and zest in Him.
ReplyDeleteCheering for you my friend.
Julie Garmon (who also writes without a degree)