Gratitude

Years ago, I hung out with my granny (not her real name) in the afternoons when she watched her “stories” (her name for soap operas).

I still clearly remember the storyline about a character who decided to write a book. In a matter of days, she wrote it, a publisher accepted it, and just as fast, the book appeared in print. The very next day, the character had a book signing. For shows that can spend weeks on one day’s worth of drama, it took no time at all for that character to become a famous author. Too bad publishing doesn’t work like that in real life!

In my last post, I announced that I finally finished Book 4 of my Winnie and the “Wizard” series. The last few chapters, though, were unpolished. I had a boatload of loose ends to tie together, but all my strings kept getting tangled. Despite that speed bump, I set the goal of emailing my editor the full manuscript and a synopsis no later than Monday, November 3, 2025. (It should be noted that I originally promised to send everything to her over three months ago.)

Nine days before my self-imposed November deadline, I decided not to fuss over those last 20 pages. Instead, I flipped back to the beginning and made final edits. Four days before the deadline, I only had to edit the last ten pages. Three days before the deadline, I had eight pages of edits to go.

It’s frustrating to find yourself so close to the finish line and yet … no matter how hard you struggle to reach it, the goal seems to keep inching away. I agonized, and grumbled, and stomped around the house with a black cloud over my head (i.e., my writing process).

Finally, the night before the deadline, and after an all-day struggle, I completed my edits. By then, my brain was too fried to even think about writing a synopsis.

Some people work well under pressure. I don’t think I do, but after typing a few random ideas, sentences started to appear … one word at a time, and after much pacing around the coffee table, the synopsis finally took shape.

At 3 PM on November 3, 2025, I submitted my complete manuscript and synopsis to my editor. Ten days later, she emailed to say she liked the story and would send a request to her senior editor for a contract. It wasn’t a done deal yet, but close. To add to the suspense, my editor also wrote that I might not hear anything until the new year.

At 7:38 PM on Thursday, November 20, 2025, I got the contract!! I signed it and sent it back the next day.

It’s official! There will be a Book 4! Which means, after months of simply referring to it as a number, it’s time to announce the “baby’s” name.

I had a good reason for the delay. Winnie and Kip’s latest adventure takes place back on Frama-12. I couldn’t simply call it Frama-12 Part 2. That might confuse new readers into thinking the story was the second book in the series.

After a few variations, Book 4 became Boge-Landia. Here’s my story, and I’m sticking to it: The residents of Frama-12 renamed their region after the battle that occurred in the first book. 😁

The next onerous tasks will include thinking up an intriguing blurb, a tagline, and suggestions for the book’s cover art. Before I begin, I’d like to pause and give thanks. After all, the title of this post is “Gratitude.” 😊

I’m thankful to The Wild Rose Press for asking for sample chapters of Frama-12 after a pitch session over Zoom at an online writer’s conference during COVID; for publishing the second and third books of the series, and now accepting my latest installment of Winnie and the “Wizard.”

Editor’s Note: Frama-12 was originally pitched as the first book in a trilogy. The ink hadn’t even dried on the fourth book’s contract before the author began brainstorming Book 5.

I’m thankful for working with the same awesome editor for all my “Winnie” books. Thanks, Jo!

I’m thankful that my time has opened up so I can devote more time to writing.

I’m thankful for unexpected opportunities. Like sending the first three books to the Frankfurt Book Fair.

And participating in a book bedazzling activity with a group of teachers and college students.

I’m thankful for the discipline to write during those times when I’m stuck and would rather read somebody else’s novel.

And …

I’m thankful for my church friends who agreed to pose with my books.

And speaking of church friends, with Thanksgiving coming up, one of them brought up an interesting question: “When you give thanks, who is it you’re thanking?”

I’ve had enough divine interventions with my writing to know God is definitely involved. And that’s who I thank for all my blessings.

Finally, I wish blessings on all writers, readers, family, and friends!