We all have them. This “day” was a week or so before Christmas…I was all stuffed up with a head cold, a headache, and a sore neck. My kids gave me something. Man, I wish I hadn’t taught them to share!
Then I was working on summaries for A Valley of Betrayal and A Shadow of Treason. They’re going to be included in the front cover of A Whisper of Freedom so readers can remember where they left off. While I was looking over reviews of A Valley of Betrayal I found a 1-star review from a guy who threw my book away after reading 40 pages. I know I can’t make everyone happy … but why did I have to read that today?
I was also looking at comments made about my novels on other blogs. (It helped me to work on the summaries when I noted what people talked about the most.) Some blogs are fun and cool and have like 75 comments a day! My blog … doesn’t have near that. I hate comparing, and when I speak I tell people all the time NOT to compare. Yet sometimes it’s hard, you know?
Finally, I finished up the summaries, dedication, and acknowledgements for A Whisper of Freedom. As I was sending it off I realized that was the last on my to-do list for Moody Publishing. After writing novels for them for four years it is weird to know that (as of now) my work for them is done.
Of course, there were good things that day too. Like working on a science project with my son Nathan. Discovering my daughter Leslie cleaned her room spotless (including her closet!) without me asking. Knowing my Christmas presents are 100% purchased and 90% wrapped. And then (as I was writing this) there was a kiss on my forehead from my 18-year-old who told me he loved me and he’d be happy to give his sister a ride to basketball practice so I didn’t have to do. (I don’t understand why I finally get this kid to be kind and thoughtful and then I need to send him off to college. I like him, can’t I keep him?)
So, in the end, I suppose I’m okay with days like this. Seasons in writing change. There will always be someone else out there more successful than me. There will be people who throw my book in the trash … but I have three amazing kids, a husband who adores me, and a stinking cold is just bothersome compared to the health challenges most people face.
There is much to be thankful for, even on a day like that.
Thanks, Tricia. I don’t always comment, but read this blog faithfully! I was just comparing my muscal abilities to that of my father-in-law. I was feeling very down about myself. Thanks for the perspective you just gave me! Life is what it is, and God has blessed me beyond measure. Being able to read your books and your blog is one of those blessings! Have a great day.
Tricia thanks also for sharing. i have only found blogs in the past few months. and yours because of the 12 Authors of Chrismas but i really did enjoy them. I have the first in your series and will get the second one at some stage. (i have a to read list and its on it)
I understand the trying not to compare. I am on a couple of email lists and sometimes wonder if my emails even get read cos i will email something with no comments and then in a day or so someone else sends the same comment and everyone responds.
But its ok.
Can you send your daughter to clean my room spotless? i do try.
I am glad i found you and your blog is bookmarked.
Hi, Tricia! Thanks for being real with all of us. We all have those days. Good job remembering what really matters. It does indeed take a conscious choice to not compare ourselves to someone else. Counting our blessings always helps.
Re: the end of your time with Moody (at least for now)… I know that I have such a hard time with transitions (and there have been several big ones this year!) that I’ve started to say, “OK, Lord, that was great. What next?” It takes me a long time (like, years!) to get to what’s next, so I’m trying to speed up my process and keep myself looking ahead by remembering that God has something GREAT next. He always does. We can tell by the amazing things He’s already done in our lives. So, Ok, Lord, what next? Moody may be done, but He has something GREAT next. He has many more good things in store for you. Love ya, Tricia!