Guest post by Kariss Lynch
Staying on the path to achieving your dreams is not easy. Quitting seems like a REALLY good option on most days. Ignore those thoughts. Seriously. When you think of quitting, shun it like the dark evil it is. Recognize it. Call it out. Re-encourage yourself. And keep moving forward.
I love stories of persistence, diligence, and hard work against all odds. This particular one is close to my heart, because I had the pleasure of watching it develop from a not-too-far-off distance. I met Kariss Lynch at the 2011 Christian Writers Guild Writing for the Soul Conference. She sat at my table for one of the meals--the decadent, gourmet meal--asked me excellent questions, and seemed determined to learn and find the way to success in publishing but was very conscious of writers conference etiquette. I don't even think she had anything to show me until we met again at the 2012 Writing for the Soul Conference. I remember this clearly because I sensed something unique and great in this young woman. I came back to my office after the 2011 conference talking about her with nothing in my hand to show.
Two short years (short from my editor's perspective; she may tell it a whole different way) after our first meeting she finds herself a published author.
So for your inspiration, I am honored to share Christian fiction writer Kariss Lynch's story of her journey to publication. I hope it inspires you to never, never, never give up on pursuing what you know you have been specially chosen for.
Here is Kariss, in her own words...
Looking back on this journey, it is truly marked with the fingerprints of God's faithfulness.
- Rejected from grad school (Spring 2009)
- Spent a year subbing and reapplying
- Lord closed the doors
- Moved back to Dallas in May 2010
- Met a writer and began attending a monthly writing group in June 2010
- Signed up for a local writing conference
- Last person admitted to the Fiction Writing Clinic
- Had to have three chapters for clinic, so I picked a story idea and wrote three chapters, which later turned into this book!
- Invited to join the Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman program
- Last person admitted to class
- Began in December 2010 with my mentor, DiAnn Mills
- Went to a conference in February 2011 and met with interested agents and editors, including one from Charisma House (who later instigated this deal)
- Went to a residency with Jerry B. Jenkins, DiAnn Mills, and Doc Hensley in April 2011
- Finished the manuscript by September 2011 and began A LOT of edits
- Finished the class in December—the exact education I would have received in grad school with the benefit of a Christian mentor and author
- Went back to February conference in 2012. Met my agent and the editor from the previous conference
- Signed with Sarah Joy Freese through WordServe Literary Agency in Spring 2012
- Submitted A LOT of manuscripts
- Began talking to Charisma House at the end of October 2012
- Received a letter of intent from Charisma House in November
- Signed the contract for a three-book deal on January 14, 2013
- First manuscript due on February 1, 2013!
There was a time at the end of 2009 where I really questioned the Lord's goodness and sovereignty. I was doing good things and involved and growing. Why didn't He choose to bless me according to my plans? Good grief, if I knew the journey He would take me on over the past three years, I would have never doubted.
His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not mine. They are light years better!
Looking back at this journey, I cannot claim credit for ANY of it. He orchestrated every step! Over the course of the last few years, my life verse has become Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted in the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Being still didn't mean passively standing by. I constantly prayed that the Lord would align my heart with His, and then I moved forward in faith. He doesn't promise to give us what we want. He does promise to use us if we are obedient and faithful, and again, that isn't always in a way that is comfortable. But He gets so much glory!
I pray that you stick with me as the Lord continues to craft my story here. I can't wait to share sneak peeks and updates as we move toward publication in January 2014!