Please welcome this weeks guest Paula Mowery for The Journey. She answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey?
Growing up, my mother worked at a Christian bookstore. She would bring me books to read and also journals to write in, so I suppose she is partially responsible for my love of reading Christian fiction and my love of writing.
I wanted to pass on this love. As an English teacher for middle school students I urged them to find books they could get into, knowing this would help me battle the “I hate to read” and “reading is boring” comments. I knew if I could just find some kind of book that each child would take interest in and read, their reading proficiency and comprehension would increase, not to mention, they might actually enjoy it.
My husband and I prayerfully decided to educate our daughter at home. Now it was time to teach my daughter the same lessons. I’m happy to say that she is an avid reader and even reviewer of Christian fiction.
While my daughter did her school lessons, God led me to begin writing more again. I started to read author blogs, getting tips for my writing. One author suggested joining American Christian Fiction Writers. I checked into this community of writers and joined, taking advantage of online courses and a plethora of advice.
A couple of summers ago I flipped through the file box under my desk, counting over 15 manuscripts I had written. A church friend had read some of those and urged me to pursue publication.
Were the stories I had written meant for just my friends or could God actually mean for me to share them with others? This was the point at which I laid out my “fleece.” I prayed, asking God to give me a sign as to whether He wanted me to pursue publication.
The next morning after my prayer, an email was awaiting me. It was an acceptance of one of my articles for a national magazine. After squealing, I felt like God had answered. He wanted me to publish the stories He had given to me, but I also knew He meant for me to keep learning.
An opportunity opened to be able to submit a novella to a publisher. I remember my finger hovering above the send button. I prayed: “God, if this is where you want this book, let the story touch someone there.”
When the email arrived from the editor of that publisher, I cried. The first line read: “I was touched by this story.” That book, THE BLESSING SEER, has been out since
July 6th of 2012. Reader/Reviewers have commented about how the book has boosted their faith. What more could a Christian writer ask for?
God saw fit to give me the next chapter in the main character’s life in the sequel, BE THE BLESSING. This book releases on Sept. 13th.
What can I say? Dear Christian brothers and sisters, if you feel you don’t know God’s call on your life – ask Him. When He answers, step out in faith knowing He will guide.
God’s call for me to write for Him is all at once exciting and humbling. I never imagined this undeserving pastor’s wife and homeschool mom could do something significant for God, touching others for Him. To God be the glory!
Endorsement for BE THE BLESSING
“We all wonder why bad things happen to good people. Can God use even the worst events in our lives to help us feed the world around us?Be the Blessing skillfully provides both food for thought and food for discussion.” — Lisa Wingate, national best-selling author of The Sea Glass Sisters and The Prayer Box.
Blurb: Addy Townsend hadn’t strolled with Conrad or had a vision in five years. Now Conrad has returned to challenge her to be a blessing to those around her. The Holy Spirit begins to nudge her into service in new ways and she follows.
But when she is blindsided with personal problems, can Addy learn to be a willing vessel even in times of struggle and suffering?
Author Bio
Paula Mowery
Author, Editor, Speaker
She is a pastor’s wife and former homeschool mom. She has always been an avid reader of Christian fiction. She began writing in the area of nonfiction creating three Bible studies which were self-published. However, she crafted fiction stories which she shared with friends and family. When one of her readers encouraged her to pursue publication, she joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learning more about the world of fiction. Her début work of fiction is a novella published by Harbourlight, a division of Pelican Book Group – THE BLESSING SEER. She is also an acquiring editor for Prism Book Group.
Please look me up and connect with me.
Find me on Facebook under Paula Mowery. I also have an author page on Facebook.
Check out my blog at paulamowery.blogspot.com. You can subscribe to receive posts through your email.
Also, I can be found on LinkedIn.
Find my monthly articles christianonlinemagazine.com.
My ebook, The Blessing Seer, is available through any ebook distributor and through my publisher, Pelican Book Group. My new book releases Sept. 13th and is called Be The Blessing.
In November, the book, Brave New Century, will release from Prism Book Group. This is a historical romance collection of four stories where my story, Forgiven, is included.
Take a look at my editor bio at prismbookgroup.com. I am an acquisitions editor for this publisher where I have two authors I have signed so far.
