My first novel is out! Hard work, but ultimately gratifying

Blog post https://www.amazon.com/Place-Fold-Melodie-Miller-Davis/dp/B0FZ8WXG7R

I can still write in sentences—even though at my age the words in person don’t come as easily. I start a conversation and get tangled up in finding the right word, name or thing I was wanting to talk about. It’s embarrassing but I’m gratified I can still write (and talk, on good days)! And helpers are always at my doorstep: “Siri, what is the word for  ….” And she usually scores it. Of course AI will give you pages of words and stories and ChatGPT can route whole trips for you if you want. (And I didn’t use AI or ChatGPT with this!)

But I digress. Over my working years, I was able to write a number of non-fiction books, partially because I worked for the Mennonite Media organization, and later Herald Press, a primarily Mennonite publisher.  

My very first novel has been published and is sitting at Amazon for you to peruse and even buy! That wasn’t my main object (finding customers), but I’m so glad I persisted in my oldest daughter’s suggestion: Mom, why don’t you write what people like to read: fiction! She knew I had spent many years piecing together various non-fiction books—which was also a blast for me, sharing the experiences and ups and downs of the child-raising years.

More back info, probably more than you need. When she was an infant to 5-year-old, I didn’t have time to read fiction and if I did have a spare minute before hitting the hay, I would simply pick up a women’s magazine or sometimes newspaper or whatever—in addition to a daily devotional magazine or piece. That was all I had time or energy for.

When she was a 6-17 year old, I was buzzing her back and forth—some days—to her own activities and those of our two other daughters, you know?

But, who wouldn’t take up a challenge after they (the kids) have gone through high school and college and even ahhhhh have actual paying jobs, while I on the other hand am joyfully retired. Then I should/could/would take up her suggestion.

And in the end, had FUN doing so. She didn’t tell me what to write—she always had a book in her hand and even couldn’t find her way around town when she was finally able to drive – because she didn’t know where streets were because when she was riding with us, she would be lost in a book. Hmmm. Those days are over, and she and her husband bus, walk, and drive their three sons ages 7 – 12 to activities ranging (through the years) to soccer, basketball, football, cross country running, baseball and Tae-Kwon-Do or however you spell it. My two grandsons living in another state also have plenty of activities—many now revolving around Cub and Boy Scouts, church, and traveling adventures. And now we’re also blessed to have our youngest daughter and husband raising their girls, a 2 ½ year-old and a 2-month-old in the family. Sweet.

So. The novel I’ve written is about a wife and husband, married for five years, who are trying to figure out when they want to or should start a family. Tim, the husband is a busy and dedicated pastor; Monica, wife, is an accountant, hoping to finish her CPA degree at some point. But how does that work with a family? Especially since Tim is called away to visit members in hospitals and homes, and also organizes sermons, runs meetings, takes care of business at church, or organizes a funeral for a member. Monica loves orderly sequences for her work, cooking, housekeeping, watching over up their finances, and finding time for fun with friends and family. She worries about taking toddlers to the nursery at church while they scream at the top of their lungs while Tim tries to preach.

So family and friends tease them about when they are going to start a family and Tim especially doesn’t see the issues ahead, which stare Monica in the face. She will also be in charge whenever their dad has to run off to another meeting or emergency call.

That’s probably enough for now. You can check some of the reviews inside the book at http://www.amazon.com/dpASIN:BOFZ8WXG7R

and I hope it encourages you to take a look and maybe put it on your list for the Christmas season coming up. Or not. 😊 Thanks for reading this and my blog frequently.

P.S. My daughter helped me a great deal in getting this published (proofreading, etc.) and her name is in the front of the book, along with our other two daughters. I’m also indebted to my husband who has supported my efforts through the years. Such blessings, all!