Today we welcome the fabulous Laurie Wood to the blog.
Laurie is an author who has persevered and triumphed over hardship and circumstance, and I’m blessed to call her “friend.”
I will tell you now—before you read further, grab your tissues. Her story and heartfelt message will coax a tear…AND a smile. (Seriously… SO good!)
Take it away, Laurie!
The unvarnished truth.
I can honestly say 2017 was the worst year of my life. Here’s my story. (Click-to-Tweet)
We’re a military family and my husband’s new job as Executive Assistant to a General at Air Force headquarters meant he worked fourteen-hour days, five days a week. The rest of the time, he was “on call” for the General. We joked he was married to his encrypted Blackberry. We have two wonderful adult children who have Down Syndrome and I’m their primary caregiver. They are the joy and blessings of our lives, but still–they need–care.
In January 2017, I was still doing physio from a previous car accident and then I came down with shingles. My doctor was experimenting with migraine medications for my cluster migraines.
I was also trying to finish writing a romantic suspense novel I had a full manuscript request for—and—feeling like a huge failure as I was nowhere near finishing it.
When it rains, it pours.
Mother’s Day I tripped over a sidewalk crack outside my church, fell flat on my face and broke my elbow and wrist.
The result?
A 90-degree cast from my upper arm to my fingertips and then more months of painful physio. Our dear daughter got me dressed every morning before she went to her own day program. Still having migraines, too!
And sometimes, it hails.
The first of October, our son had an accident resulting in a catastrophic ankle break requiring orthopedic surgery, two weeks in hospital and a four-month recovery.
He didn’t remember all his baby/child hospitalizations.
From the time of the accident, I moved in to the hospital and never left his side. All he wanted in his terror was MOM.
Once we were home, I did the one-on-one care, as he couldn’t put any weight on the foot for fear of dislodging the plates and bolts. And it was extremely stressful on us as parents because there was negligence involved, trust broken, but at the same time our Christian witness needed to be upheld. For the first time in my life, I wanted to cancel Christmas!
Then…a sliver of sunshine breaks through the clouds.
Tucked away in my writing binder, I had that most coveted of emails: “I would love to see the full manuscript when you have it finished.” (Click-to-Tweet)
This was my talisman, my touchstone through all these health challenges, through all the nights my poor husband came home at seven or eight o’clock and fell asleep on the couch.
I re-read it often during 2017 even when I couldn’t type with that horrible cast on my arm.
And I worked through those revisions, and I completed the book!
Now, I am NOT bragging here. I had a ton of support, both in terms of my lovely critique partner, and my online group of fellow Christian writers who’ve come together to encourage each other towards publication. I know I couldn’t have survived without their prayer support and kind messages and cards.
Also, our church brought us meals when I broke my arm and our son broke his ankle.
People prayed for us and over us. God was faithful!
There were many times I thought about dumping the book, but something in the back of my mind wouldn’t let it go. (Click-to-Tweet)
In the end, I sold this book to Anaiah Press, and it releases this December (2018). It’s the fourth book I’ve written and the first one I’ve sold. This is also the hardest one I’ve ever written, but it’s the sweetest success because of how hard I had to persevere to get it done. All year I felt like Jacob wrestling with the angel.
So, what are the takeaways from the most horrible year of my life?
- God won’t take away my migraines but He will give me the strength to write despite them. I like to think St. Paul might have suffered migraines as his “thorn in the flesh” that God wouldn’t remove for him. We don’t know what it was, but after the searing light on the road to Damascus, I can believe he suffered migraines for the rest of his life! But whatever your own health issue might be, God will give you the strength to get through it and endure it.
- I’ve learned to choose how to respond to the crises that come our way and reframe them to keep everything in perspective. For example, what happened to our son was horrible, but it could’ve been so much worse. It took months, but he’s walking again without a cane or walker which we were told was our “best case” scenario. This is a miracle.
- I learned to give myself permission not to write for a finite period—during the crisis. Some people can write while their mother is dying of cancer or their son is going through trauma in a hospital bed. I’m not one. I had to give myself permission not to be a hero and not to feel guilty about it.
- God doesn’t move—He is immoveable. We are the ones who move away from Him. So, learn to stay close to Him in the good times, not just in the bad times.
- If one publisher doesn’t respond to your submission, or even rejects your submission, there are other publishers out there. And God may even guide you to a different publisher if you only keep yourself open to the possibility!
***
Author Bio
Author Laurie Wood
Laurie Wood lives in Central Canada and writes inspirational romantic suspense with an edge of danger. She’s also a military wife who’s raised two wonderful special needs children to adulthood. They’ve lived all over Canada and are still on that journey. When she’s not writing, she can be found at her spinning wheel, knitting, or hanging out with her dogs in the garden.
Please visit her website and join her on Facebook and Twitter.
Also, sign up for Laurie’s monthly e-newsletter and stay informed about upcoming books, freebies, and all things Canada!
PLEASE SHARE
“I had to give myself permission not to be a hero and not feel guilty about it.” Read more “takeaways” from the most horrible year of my life.
Five key takeaways from the worst year of my life. What helped me and how these things can help you, too.
“How was I supposed to write with one catastrophe after another? Here’s what I learned and what you need to know, too.”
ENCOURAGEMENT
Waterfalls of the Heart via Tanya Agler
Lessons from God’s world as we navigate the path to publication.
Be a Different Egg. Don’t Get Scrambled!
Ever feel like the square peg in a round hole? No worries! Here’s why.
Original Image Credit: Cocoparisienne/Pixabay
Original Image Credit: CCO Creative Commons/Pixabay)
Have you ever had what seemed like the “worst year” of your own life?
How have you persevered (and triumphed) during times of hardship?
Are you still navigating a difficult valley? How might we pray for you?
Is there anything you’d like to know about Laurie’s writing process and what she’s working on now?
***
Thanks so much for visiting! For the next few months, awesome guests will join us here as I take a brief respite from blogging. Please check the schedule for a complete line-up and stop by next week as we uplift and encourage.
Also, just a reminder—my monthly newsletter will wind its way to subscribers’ inboxes soon, and this month I’m sharing an exciting tidbit about my upcoming release!
To join my newsletter family, sign up here or in the top right-hand sidebar. Don’t forget to click on the confirmation links that will arrive in your inbox, as this completes the sign-up process. As a newsletter subscriber, you’ll be the first to know fun details about my book series and you’ll also be privy to additional goodies I may not share on the blog. AND—no Debby Downer content allowed. (We have the news for that.) Love, fun, and encouragement are the backbone of my newsletters. ♥ Hope you’ll join us!
Now, see you back soon!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Comments 19
It’s amazing how God will walk through the fire with us. Thanks for sharing your story!
You’re so right, Jackie! We just have to remember He’s there, He hasn’t left us alone. Thanks for stopping by.
Laurie, you are an inspiration! Your takeaways from your year of preserving are such good thoughts. Thank you for sharing your experience. Congratulations on the book!
Thank you, Sherida! It was such a hard year because my husband’s job kept him “away” from the family even though he was right here, if you know what I mean. It was the most strenuous, all-consuming job he’s had in the military. He worked whatever hours the General worked. So, everything else I handled alone, just like when he was deployed in Afghanistan. It was frustrating so many times not to be able to have him “with” me when technically, he was living at home. And the kids didn’t understand why Dad wasn’t home – because he came home so late and left so early. Otoh, he gave a solid year of service and learned things about leadership he never would have otherwise. But I’m glad that posting is over!
Thank you for sharing your journey, Laurie! Such an inspiring post. Looking forward to seeing what 2018 has in store for you!
Laurie, you’re story is one of encouragement and determination! I’m so excited for your book to release and for those rainstorms to turn to rainbows! Many blessings to you my friend!
Hi Sharee! Thank you! So far, this year has a lot more rainbows although dancing in the rain isn’t so bad. And it’s exciting that we both have book releases in 2018. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words Laura! I’m excited too, as this year has definitely started off with a bang – in the right way!
Thank you, Sherida! When I “switched gears” and allowed God to show me something different He rewarded me handsomely. I’m excited for December’s launch.
So glad to hear things are on the upswing! When we walk through the fire, we come out pure as gold. Blessings for all good things in your writing and family, Laurie!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Josee!
Aw, Laurie – you make me want to cry for you one minute and cheer for you the next. What a great attitude you have – a necessity when life gives us those unexpected blows. I appreciate your encouragement and that sweet smile. I raised a special needs son. I know how hard it can be and what a tremendous blessing it is to know God has chosen you to love that child. It is often said that God chooses special parents for special children. I tend to believe that God gives parents a special child (or children!) in order to give their parents an extraordinary blessing. So looking forward to reading your book
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for sharing about your special son. I agree with you, it’s we parents who’re blessed by our children. At our stage of life, we look at our peers who have “empty nests” and are tooling around traveling etc. We’re nowhere near ready to retire yet anyway. But, our nest will never be empty and we’re fine with that and our “forever” family. My editors were more than happy for me to let my hero have a daugher with Down Syndrome and I think she more than adds to the story. I’m excited that publishers are looking for “diverse” characters of many kinds these days. It’s up to us as authors to bring our experiences to our stories and let the world know the truth about our wonderful children!
Laurie, you are absolutely amazing. I knew you’d had a rough year, but until reading this overview I didn’t realize just HOW rough it had been. And even though I’m so sorry you had to endure those painful, difficult times, I’m a firm believer that the Lord uses ALL things for good, and you will likely be able to encourage other moms going through similar issues in the future.
Congratulations again on your first book contract!! 🙂 I am SOOO happy for you and proud of you!!
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
Thank you, Patti Jo! This year is certainly turning out better and it’s so much sweeter because of everything we went through last year. I do believe that Mom’s of special needs kids – especially those of us who’ve spent years in and out of hospitals when our kids were babies and toddlers – have a unique bond. It’s not a “club” you want to belong to but it’s a “club” you can definitely pay it forward in when your turn comes. I remember when our son was nine months old and battling double pneumonia. We were close to losing him. And a perfect stranger arrived with two large coffees, breakfast sandwiches, and muffins “for later”, and she was just a little dynamo. Our pastor had called her even though they were brand new to our church, and told her I was in the hospital with a new baby in a bad way. Her son was now eight with severe brain damage from seizures when he was two. She held me and let me cry and stayed with me till my husband showed up after work. I’ll never forget it. And later on, I did that for someone else. That’s what God calls us to – to be “Christ with skin on”, as a good friend says to me sometimes. Sometimes, we’re the only version of Christ non-Christians see and we show His love by grieving with people, and being there just doing things that show we know what it’s like.
Hello Laurie.
I love this story!
And you’re right, giving yourself permission a time not to write was right for you at the time. I’ve been there before.
Congratulations on your contract w/Anaiah.
Hi Connie,
Thank you for your kind words! It was hard to give myself that “permission” because I’d internalized the belief that you’re not a writer unless you’re writing every day, and there’s something wrong with you unless you can put out 1K an hour even when your Mom’s in hospice and you’re typing away beside her bed, and personally, I’m just NOT able to function when someone’s in crisis like that…although my husband did bring my laptop in to the hospital when our son was in all I could do was read over my WIP and tweak a few things here and there. Our son took up ALL my attention. Just going down to the cafeteria for my own meals and bringing them back upstairs took coordination with staff because he was afraid they were going to take him for another operation when I “disappeared”. Poor guy! He’d never had an operation or broken anything before so had no frame of reference.
Mind you, I *admire* people who can write through crisis and tragedies, but I am NOT one! Just isn’t in my bandwidth and I freely admit it!
Hello Laurie!
As usual, I’m late to the party. But, oh my, how you’ve inspired me today. I’m also a writer who has trouble writing during crises.
Another writer reminded me that God honors our work when our priorities are in line with His will. Congratulations on the sale of your book and for sharing your powerful testimony.
Hugs to you and your wonderful family.
~ Yvonne Weers
Hugs right back to you, Yvonne! Thank you for your encouragement as well. I’m in good company if you can’t write in a crisis either. 🙂 I have written during a migraine, with my laptop on my lap in the LazyBoy, eyes closed and just typing away. I’ve also used Dragon Speak off and on since my broken arm this summer although it was a huge learning curve and you do have to go back and fix words that sound the same but aren’t spelled the same.
But your friend is right, God honours our writing and our work when our priorities are in line with His. Family first, writing second. Hugs, my friend.