A Lesson in Faith: my author journey
I’ve been a book lover for as long as I can remember. Charlie Brown, Archie Comics, Charlotte's Web, my sister's soap opera manuscript - these and others captivated my young mind as I poured over their words every day after school.
Sure I enjoyed playing outside with my friends like most kids, but nothing quite compared to how I felt when I spent time with a book. There was this warm, fuzzy, exciting feeling in my gut that kept me craving them and coming back for more. My favorite place was the library, and it still is!
Yet when it came to writing, I didn’t think that was for me.
English was my favorite class all throughout K-12, and I got good grades, but I just never thought I was a good writer. I secretly envied my best friend in middle school because she wrote such amazing stories and poems, and it seemed to come easy for her. For me, not so much. Writing was more like the labor and delivery process: it was painful, it was messy, and it took too long.
The problem was my insecurity.
I nit-picked every sentence and struggled with writer’s block because I was afraid people wouldn’t like what I wrote. I just didn’t think I had what it took to be a real writer.
But once I got to college things changed. It was like something clicked in my mind that triggered more confidence in my writing. I actually enjoyed writing those long research papers and I earned exceptional grades along with positive feedback from my professors.
It was in this season that writing became an everyday part of my life.
I journaled every day. I dabbled in poetry. I brainstormed story ideas. I volunteered to write for family, friends, and nonprofits. I found it fulfilling and I received gracious support and praise from those around me.
One of the best compliments I remember was from a neighbor who read a framed poem I had written to my husband for our 7 year anniversary.
She said it made her cry.
That’s exactly what I wanted. To touch people on a deep level. To make them feel something. My life had been transformationally touched more than once through someone’s writing and I wanted to do that for someone else.
Fast forward to 2010, and a layoff caused me to re-evaluate my career goals.
I had a diverse work history, finally settling into Human Resources after earning my MBA. Unfortunately, I quickly burned out on the 9-5 traditional career path. It just never felt right, and by this time I wanted more time and flexibility to raise my two young daughters, so I went deep in prayer, self-reflection, and research, looking for that next right step for my career and my family.
After weeks seeking God’s direction, I felt Him leading me to write.
The one constant passion in my life had been words, why not pursue it as a career. Why not do something I love. But could I earn a living from it? Was this desire really from God, or just a result of burn out and wanting something different?
After talking and praying with my husband, I decided to put out the fleece. You know, like Gideon did in Judges 6, when he literally put out the wool fleece at night, twice, to ask for a sign from God…
I needed direction and I needed an answer on whether or not this writing thing was something He wanted me to pursue. Time is precious and I didn’t want to waste it chasing after something that wasn’t His best for me.
The perfect opportunity for that fleece was found in an online Christian magazine that my friend had recently forwarded. It was a beautiful full color spread filled with encouraging stories, high profile events, and inspiring testimonies from well known Christian artists.
I felt led to send my testimony to the editor, unsolicited. If it was accepted then I would know God was calling me to write. If it was rejected (an all too familiar word in the writing industry), I would know that was not the path for me.
The answer came within a day, and the response was more than I could imagine.
The editor thanked me and said how much my testimony had deeply touched her, and how it had come at just the right time. She said it was a powerful message of redemption that she needed to hear. She knew her reader’s needed to hear it too, so she wanted to include it in a brand new section she decided to launch called “People’s Perspective” where readers could submit their articles.
Within a few weeks, my testimony was printed in this beautiful magazine along with my photo, and I had the answer I longed for. God was calling me to write!
I just didn’t know in what way. Would it be a ministry or a job? Should I write fiction, non-fiction, or focus on copywriting? So many questions and unknowns.
Honestly, 10 years later and I’m still trying to figure out exactly what that means.
Throughout my career, I’ve written in one form or another for all my jobs. And after I heard from God, I started a freelance writing career and niched down for several years utilizing my human resources experience to work with clients on their resumes.
I submitted short stories and had my favorite printed as a Top 50 piece for the Karen Kingsbury Family Fiction contest.
I submitted part of my personal story to Writer’s Digest and earned an honorable mention in their short story contest.
I even stepped out in faith and self published a 21 day wellness devotional that received 5 star reviews on Amazon, and 5 star ratings from Writer’s Digest.
I write all of this not to try and make myself feel or look good - there have been many, many rejections (and crickets) along the way. Honestly, I thought I’d be a lot farther along in my writing career than I am today. This whole journey has taken much longer than I thought it would, and there have been many twists, turns, and surprises along the way. But God gave me a Word in 2018 from Zechariah 4:10: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”
So, when I see other writers and authors with large followings, impressive awards, and best-selling books, I try to remember that there is nothing wrong with small beginnings.
God uses them to grow us and get us to the next right step.
And I try to remember that for most people in any industry, but especially in the writing industry, overnight “success” is not the norm. The writing journey is often a journey of faith, when you step out and do the work without any guarantee of “success.” When you keep moving forward despite rejections. When you keep planting those seeds of faith as you wait for the fruit.
The good news is that while I’m still trying to figure out exactly what God wants to do in and through me on this writing journey, I believe I’m getting closer to what I believe is His divine calling for my life.
And that’s really what this post is about!
In 2020, during the pandemic, when life as we knew it changed, I transitioned from client work to write exclusively. During that time, I wrote a children’s book manuscript and submitted query letters in hopes of finding a publishing house. That whole process took longer than it should have because I procrastinated. A lot!
I let my perfectionism get in the way, and the fear of rejection kept me finding every excuse to not write or send letters. You know the usual culprits that keep us from doing what we know we should be doing…like the dishes and social media ;-)
But even though my faith was small, I stepped out and did the work, and when I hit submit on that last query letter, I literally heard God say that there would be one who would respond. Just one.
Sure enough there was. Within a month I signed on with Ambassador International for my first book in the Guess How Much God Loves You series.
We’re now wrapping up the illustration phase with a tentative release date (more to come on this).
So with much excitement and expectation, I’d like to introduce you to the main character, Lucy Lu ✨
Isn’t she cute? :-) Lucy has lot’s of questions…
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Seven-year-old Lucy Lu, is a colorful, creatively curious first grader who is starting to have serious questions about God. Questions like: How old is He? Does He sleep? What does He do all day? And the biggest one of all – does God really love me?
After one particularly hard day at school, bullied by her classmates and feeling like she doesn’t matter, Lucy sits with her Papa Joe who has promised to answer these questions and more, launching them onto a journey to discover God’s never changing, never failing, never ending love.
What follows is a wild adventure through the Bible, where Lucy and her Papa literally find themselves in the middle of it all, on each page of the exciting story of God’s love and faithfulness for ALL people throughout ALL of history!
***
I'm super excited about this book series because it fills an important need in the children's book industry, for kids and the adults who buy books for them.
It promotes biblically-based concepts that are key to building a strong and sustainable faith in God, as well as a healthy understanding of the value God has placed on ALL people. And it does so in a fun and engaging way.
If you agree that we need more positive alternatives to the mainstream children's books that so often promote anti-biblical concepts and ways of living, then I would be honored if you'd consider being a part of the launch team! Just click the image below for more information... ⤵️
Now back to my author’s journey.
Can you relate at all? Are you a writer stepping out in faith but not seeing much fruit right now?
Don’t give up. Your breakthrough could be around the corner.
Small steps of faith really do make a big difference over time, and like I’ve learned, it’s important to not to despise small beginnings. God often uses those small beginnings to build beautiful things.
Blessings to you on your journey! ❤️
HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT GUESS HOW MUCH GOD LOVES YOU…
“A beautiful story of God’s great love in what can feel like a big, bad, and unfriendly world. Guess How Much God Loves You is a terrific way to show kids what the Bible really is: God’s love letter to us all! If you have young kids or grandkids, this is a must-read.”
Jessica Brodie, award-winning author, journalist, editor, and coach
Through this sweet interaction between Lucy and her grandfather, Guess How Much God Loves You by Karen Ferguson teaches children two of the most important lessons of all… that God loves them and they are created in His image. As a mom of young girls, I know that these lessons are imperative for our children to learn, perhaps now more than ever.
Kayla Eggenberger, Christian Life Coach and Speaker
Oh, how God loves little children! Young readers, like the story’s Lucy Lu, will happily snuggle with this charmingly creative Bible-based picture book. The playful story shows God as a personal Friend they can always count on. The bouncy, bubbly language animates the Creation Story and plants a seed that will sprout joy for kids as this new book series continues. What a wonderful gift from author Karen Ferguson!
Jena C. Henry, Author, Blogger, Reviewer, Podcaster
Hello and thanks for reading! I’m Karen Ferguson, author, content creator, and the owner of Illuminate Communications, LLC.
I love using the power of words to illuminate truth, wellbeing, and the love of God! My mission is to inspire, encourage, and equip you on your faith journey by providing books and resources that will help you grow in your relationship with Jesus and thrive in mind, body, and spirit.
BONUS: DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOK CHAPTER HERE
