My Castle Heart Publications

 

My birthday (the big 4-0!) has added an extra patina of sentimentality and reflection to this holiday.

In honor of this milestone—punctuated by finally unlocking the “author” achievement—I’ve assembled my own 12 days of Christmas* Thankfulness.

Day 1: Cathy Taylor
Day 2: Sue LaGow
Day 3: Ryan Hylland
Day 4: Jackie Phillips
Day 5: Szaba and Von
Day 6: Shanon Lyon
Day 7: Kerry Colburn
Day 8: Debbie Reber
Day 9: Peter Orullian
Day 10: Christa Charter
Day 11: Steam Crow
Day 12: 1986 State Fair Judging Panel

These people dropped the breadcrumbs that led me straight to this publishing adventure. Thank you, all, for your part in this Hero’s Journey.

* Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the 12 days before Christmas. Per the Oxford English Dictionary, it’s the 12 days leading up to the Epiphany (January 6) “observed as a time of merrymaking.”

Debbie

“What is that writing project you’re struggling to tackle? I can help you get it done.”

That’s the message Debbie was broadcasting on Twitter. And somehow amid all that social media noise, it bee-lined its way to me.

I was floundering with blog upkeep, navigating the confusing new landscape of publishing, and writing two books. I was going in too many directions… and not getting anywhere. Meanwhile, Debbie was sailing by, publishing book after book, and propelling other authors in her wake.

She started out as my writing coach and has since become a friend. She even lent her considerable expertise to beta reading The Denim Jungle.

If you have something lingering inside of you, waiting to be done, check out her new book Doable. I hope she lights a fire under you, as she did for me.

“The truth is, asking for help doesn’t make us weaker… it makes us stronger. We learn from our supporters, and that makes us more capable, more empowered, and more likely to reach our goals.”—Deborah Reber

Thank you, Debbie, for continuing to inspire me, as a writer and a mom.

 

I look forward to seeing where the journey goes from here and all the amazing people I’ll have the pleasure to encounter in the next 40 years…

 

Banner photo inspired by Sarah Witherby’s 12 Days, Flickr Creative Commons.