Sometimes I crack myself up. Because I’m so funny? Hardly. Because I get told something time and again by many friends and colleagues and I don’t believe it until God smacks me in the back of the head? Yup, that’s the one.
What? God doesn’t smack you in the back of the head? Well, good for you. It means you’re listening. Me on the other hand…
The answer is infinitely!
I know what you’re thinking, That’s all well and good, Amy, but what does this have to do with me?
I’m going to tell you.
First let me back up and tell you a story. Some of you may have heard this from me before so I’ll give you the condensed version. When I first started writing, I wanted to write romance. Because I had been reading ones with full bedroom scenes, it didn’t seem strange to write one like that. It was just the way romances were written. Right? Then I discovered that romances could be ‘sweet’ or not have detailed love scenes. I even tried my hand at a couple of those, but the market was tight. I went back to ‘the usual way things are done.’
Most everyone who has ever read my blog knows that I started writing Amish as a suggestion from my then-agent, Mary Sue Seymour. Thank heavens I listened and tried my hand at one. But it wasn’t the same as my fun contemporary sexy romps…Why not? I was writing, stories that satisfied me and my reader, I was getting good reviews, fan mail, the works. Why wasn’t it the same?
I don’t know. Maybe because I kept telling myself that it wasn’t. Who knows?
Now, I had been writing for (Amy cups hand over her mouth to muffle the words) 19 years before I got my first book in print. It’s almost embarrassing. Why did it take so long? I can string more than two words together. I can make people cry/laugh/love/believe. I had great stories, memorable, characters, and I had won awards. I knew language, metaphors, and MLA vs. Chicago style. Why did it take me so long?
This is a question for which I don’t have the answer. All I know is in January of 2011, I signed a contract for my first contemporary romance and in September of 2011, I signed my first contract for an Amish series. That’s one writer, nine months, and two completely different directions. (BTW I fully believe that the 9 months thing is an omen, but that’s a blog for another day.)
The contemporary came out from a small, digital-first publisher and things move a little faster in that world. Brodie’s Bride saw the printed page over a year before Saving Gideon. But here they were, two wonderful books, two completely different sub-genres, and both romance.
Just after I signed the contract for Saving Gideon, my friends (writer friends, that is) started giving me advice. Get a website. Change your twitter handle. Come up with a pen name or make all your books inspirational.
But I don’t want a pen name. And I don’t want to write only inspirational. I want to write what I want to write. And Amish of course. I want to write contemporary romances and books about the Amish. My readers will understand.
So that’s what I did. I had a drawer full of books that I had written over the last, ahem few years. I pulled them out, dusted them off, and got them onto amazon.
Everything should be perfect right? In a heartbeat I had twenty-five books on the cyber shelves. I was rocking. On my way at last.
Or so I thought…
This is part one of a three part story. Come back tomorrow, same time, same place, for the next installment…
Leave a comment today to be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Amish Brides. I’m giving away one copy each day so be sure to come back tomorrow.
Have you ever fought a decision you knew you should make? Have you argued with God? Let us know and get entered into the drawing! I can’t be the only one…
amywritesromance.com 
Yes, not only did I do something that at times I wish that I wouldn’t have done, but then again, I wouldn’t have my wonderful daughter or grandsons. I married a man that I thought was with God, but found out that he really wasn’t. Of course the second time around, has been so much different and he has been great with my daughter and grandsons.
I have fought with God, yes, not that I feel great about that, but I had many conflicts going on in my life at one time and I didn’t know which way to turn and I wasn’t getting any answers from him. So finally I just waited patiently for several months and I got my answer and went back to school at the age of 58 to start a new career. The career path that I took was something that I wasn’t to do since I was 5 years old. Of course it wasn’t exactly what I wanted,. but it still was in the medical field which make me very happy
I find if God is in it will work out. The Holy Spirit in us keeps us in check. If we listen if we are stubborn well we might need to have a couple smacks upside our heads. LOL Believe me i know. Looking forward to next part of story. Is there a fat forward button somewhere? LOL
Blessings
Diana
What an amazing story, Joan! Good for you! Thanks for reading!!
LOL Diana! This story just might get better! After a couple more smacks to the back of the head. :)
Of course I argued with God. Details are too personal but suffice it to say that I happily gave in and He was right. His instructions are for our benefit not to keep us from having joy in our lives.
He always is, huh? Thanks for reading!!!
I’ve been hit upside the head plenty of times with God’s 2×4, and it usually happens at church during a sermon. It’s something that he wants me to hear, so bang!
LOL Yep! Though this time for me it was a walk in the park and an Alan Jackson gospel recording.
absolutely i have felt God tell me hey girl this sermon is you listen up!
Yep, and more times than I can remember! :)
I think I know what I need, right? But no, God has shown me time and again that He knows best.
It’s useless to argue with God. He always gets His way one way or the other. Sometimes though He lets us muddle through our own way first so we’ll be ready to listen.
That’s me, muddling through!
Just like a book – have to wait for the rest of the story! Great post!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Thank you! :)
I fought the decision to turn off my Daddy’s life support. It was so difficult. I was not ready for him to leave us.
I can’t even imagine!!! Putting the cat down almost killed me. But your father? Prayers and Hugs to you!!! <
It’s all a part of life, one big learning curve!
Mine’s a doozie! LOL
Love your books,would love to win
Thanks, Martha!
I think being at odds with what you’re feeling and not sure about are a part of life. Just not easy to decide , especially if there is a moral or biblical truth in question. God definitely has a purpose for each of us. Bedroom scenes are better left out to me. That’s why I choose inspirational books. My mind doesn’t want to go there. Personal preference. I truly enjoy your Amish books.
And I completely understand that. I kept telling people, if you don’t like the bedroom scenes then skip them. Then this little voice started in the back of my head. “If they can skip them, then why did you include them?” It took me a little while (okay, a couple of years) but I think I have it figured out…mostly!
God has shown me many times which way I should go when I was doing it my way. I thought by doing it my way I was doing it right but I wasn’t.I stop and listen to God
But…but…but…You’re absolute correct, but it’s the hardest thing in the world for me! Maybe that’s why God is demanding it. Hmmm…
Oh yes! I have argued with God many times over what “I” wanted, not what he wanted. Only to find that sometimes he let me have just what I thought I wanted to show me it really wasn’t what I needed or wanted when it was all said and done. It has taught me to seek him more and to strive daily for his will in my life.
Yep, just like my mother used to do. LOL “Wait! This isn’t like I thought it was going to be. I change my mind!” LOL
I know sometimes our hearts say one thing and our heads say another and we just have to trust God and seek his will, .We were really struggling financially and my husband got a better job offer halfway across the country. I really didnt want to move and prayed alot and questioned God about this but God blessed us not only financially but we made new friends and I got to serve the Lord in a wonderful new church and we really enjoyed our time living there.
That’s awesome, MaryAnn! We moved a lot when I first got married. It;s not easy. But one thing I learned: nothing is permanent. Enjoy here and now for what it is. who knows what’s around the corner. :)