I feel set free again

[Chriss Hill]

I've been missing from this site awhile and I apologize for my absence. So many things have transpired in my life to keep me busy. Mostly I felt so disillusioned from writing when my second book, "Falling for Her Heart", a sequel to my 1st book, received a terrible review. I had posted it here back in June. Since then, like a whooped pup with a tail tucked behind its legs, I turned coward to promote it further. Why try for further disheartment? Perhaps I truly sucked at this craft called writing. Perhaps I failed to lure a reader into my imaginative world of flawed characters and romance suspense? So I gave up.

A friend of mine, Miss Mae, a terrific writer of mysteries, decided to throw a couple of names my way of reviewers she had used before. She urged me to give it another go. So I contacted one, who was extremely busy writing reviews for a blogsite. In humble tones, because I didn't want to sound too desparate, I explained my terms, what I was seeking and why, and she took up reading my second book.

Summer slipped into fall. No word. Then late fall. I contacted her again. Why the delay? I found out she had a dramatic life change (separation, a house move, being a single parent) and when she could settle down a bit, she would take up reading. So essentially, she read my book over a six month time. But I'm uncertain exactly when she began to read it.

This past week, she sent me the review. I about fainted when I read it over. I got the highest honor on that particular blog site. First, I was shocked. How could this be??? And then as I read the review over, I realized she had thoroughly read it through and through. She got what my book was about! She understood my characters! She loved the plot! And then she commented she was off to read the first book, now that she had answered one ultimate question for me: Could the 2nd book be read stand alone, without knowing the history from the first book? And it does read well! Eureka!!!

My friends, I have been set free. This huge gloom hovering over me is gone and now I feel more than ever to persue the finishing touches on my 3rd part of this series. I wanted to share this story because patience is a virtue. I waited a long time to be vindicated. And if ever a writer feels like sinking their manuscript into the toilet, do as I did: keep sending it out there. You might be on the right success track if you have faith. I truly believe there is a writer in all of us if we stick to working on our editing processes to make our stories gather strength in the telling of it. I had worked long and hard on it. Like a child waiting on Santa and his reindeer to come on Christmas Eve, I just had to believe!

This, truly, is a wonderful Christmas present to me. I couldn't ask for anything better. So in good spirits and a floating heart, I wish everyone a Merry christmas and a Happy New Year!
here is the link:

http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/review-falling-for-...

[Miss Mae]

This is absolutely wonderful, Chriss! :) You can rest assured that Val, of YouGottaRead, always gives an honest review, so she meant every word.

Congratulations! I'm very proud of you! :)

[GERI'S BOOK REVIEWS]

Always believe in yourself, no matter how tough life can be, and Most Important...Never-ever give up. I remember
reading a story about Harry Potter's author. When she first submitted her manuscript--it was Rejected. Can
you imagine where she would be now if she Gave-up? Millions of people face tough competition, and are
hit with hard knocks on many different job descriptions. You stand Tall, and no matter how hard you get hit,
Never Give-up! Merry Christmas!

Blessings, Geri