It was pretty clear to me after reading all those missionary accounts that I simply had to create a missionary romance in the Liberian jungle. It was also very clear to me that this was a big departure since I had my writing and reading roots in suspense. Suddenly all those years of being a total research geek kicked into gear and I began writing.
I only had a few pages by the time I joined Susan C. May (Nick’s New Heart), Sandy Elzie (The Diplomatic Tutor and In Daddy’s Shoes), and Tammy Schubert, to do nothing but write. I was determined to finish and polish enough pages for an entry into the Maggies (http://www.georgiaromancewriters.org/the-maggies/). I didn’t want to miss out on the great critiques from published authors that the chapter is known for giving.
As a part of the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog group, we’d scheduled this “no Internet available” writing retreat for three days at Susan’s family lake house. From daybreak to sunset and beyond, we did nothing but sit on the screened porch and type our little fingers to the bone. Well, okay, there was an occasional conversation and we stopped for meals. Other than that, we really produced. We were all good about shutting down any lengthy chats and forcing ourselves back to work. Outside of a local coffeehouse, it is still my favorite place to write.
Rapidly, my story began to take shape, along with its synopsis. Finally, feeling a little insecure, I asked my friends to read the first three chapters and tell me what they thought. They were very encouraging and I began to think that maybe I hadn’t lost my mind by thinking I could write an historical.
Before I’d left for the cabin, I’d put an item on my watch list at the Brenda Novak Auction for Diabetes (www.brendanovak.auctionanything.com/), an auction I strongly support. Love Inspired’s Senior Editor Melissa Endlich was offering a critique of a partial and a private meeting at RWA Nationals in July. Realizing the auction was about to end, and with no Internet at the cabin, I called my dear husband and gave him instructions for bidding. Then I bit my fingernails and waited.
I was outbid.
However, because of Melissa Endlich’s boundless generosity, I was able to match the winning bid and got a second critique she offered. I was nervous, but more excited than anything. After all, who better to get a critique from that the editor of a line you’ve targeted. If anyone could give me direction on how to better structure the story for Love Inspired Historical, she could.
So, I set out in June of 2010 for RWA Nationals and my fateful meeting with Melissa Endlich. I just made one mistake…
AND that’s a mistake I’ll tell you more about on Monday! I’m leaving this next offer open until Monday, May 9th. Leave me a comment and be entered into a drawing for a copy of my new release, THE DOCTOR’S MISSION, when it is published in November of 2011. Gain extra entries if your friends post here and say you referred them. Have you ever had a “must write” moment, or a time of clarity about a direction in your life that suddenly shifted everything for you? Please share!
In the meantime, visit the Novak auction and bid on my book, or any of the fabulous offerings from soaps to Safari trips! http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/
Here’s a preview of what they’ve got!
So how did I get the idea? Am I just fascinated with cannibals? No, not really. The idea for The Doctor’s Mission literally walked in my fron door one evening in the guise of a visit from one of my married children. As kids piled in the door, my daughter handed me a small paperback authored by my son-in-law’s great-great uncle. It had a rather provocative title, Before We Kill and Eat You. This book, the story of pioneering missionary, H. B. Garlock and his wife Ruth, sat on my dining room table for months before I picked it up and finally read it. 
Leanne - I am really looking forward to reading this book. The history you researched intrigues me 😀 I wish I could afford to buy something to help the diabetes auction, it’s such a wonderful cause and diabetes runs rampant in my family. It’s a cause close to my heart.
leanne_gag[at]hotmail[dot]com
admin - Hi, Leanne:
Hey, I understand budget issues. We have what we lovingly refer to as our peanut butter sandwich/lentil soup days. Thanks for coming. And the history intrigued me too. I’m hoping to do the same with other countries and eras, but we’ll have to see what sells 🙂
Eda Suzanne - I enjoyed your blog and your work looks like the kind of books I enjoy. I’m glad we met through the new Facebook Beyond the Book page.
Eda
http://www.edasuzanne.com or http://www.edasuzanne.blogspot.com
admin - Hi Eda! Thanks for stopping by!
Stacie - This book sounds wonderful! I love inspirational historicals. I am also targeting the Love Inspired line with my own writing, so it’s always nice to read about how someone got into writing them. I am going to a cabin for a couple of nights in May. It will be my second year there and I will be the only one in the whole camp – so no distractions whatsoever.
Stacie
Susan - Debbie,
I awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award today. Check out my website to find out the details. http://www.susanCmay.com
Susan
Susan Manchester - Winning this book would be an amazing treat for me. It sounds fascinating. My husband and I had a moment of clarity in our life about six months ago, when we just knew that it was time to adopt our 8-year-old grandson. We started and stopped the process about three years ago, but God told us it was time, and what you said about our life shifting certainly applied. Yesterday, we had the court hearing, and Christian is ours forever. I will not soon forget his reaction to the judge saying it was final!
Joanne - Hi Debbie,
I’ve recently started to write historical inspirationals, and your excerpt is excellent. You’ve set up great internal as well as external goals for the doctor, and your setting is very unique. Best wishes for your continued success.
admin - Thanks, Joanne. Nice of you to say so!
Lynda Thrash - Hi Debbie, I really enjoyed chapter 1, but hate that I now have to wait to read what I can only imagine will unfold between the Pastor and the Doctor. May God Bless you with continued success and many more story ideas to share with your readers. I can barely wait for November to get the book!