Love Bomb

ACFWAuthors and writing, Encouragement, Faith, Friends of ACFW, writing 1 Comment

By Angela D. Shelton

The past month has been disheartening. Multiple problems have snarled up my idyllic life. My first ever published books had anemic sales, even though I invested in advertisements. A drought is decimating the pastures on our ranch, forcing us to buy hay in the spring, a first for us. The trifecta is that my husband now needs a second surgery while still recovering from the first. Not only are his health problems worrisome, but they also leave more of the work on our ranch to my capable, but somewhat less experienced, hands.

An accountant by trade, I’ve worked in healthcare for thirty years. While I’m far from retirement, I’m at an age where I’m ready to plan for my golden years.

My grandmother was a writer, and I’d always wanted to try my hand at it. The time never seemed to be right, though. Then, about two years ago, my sister and I went on a road trip together. Through our long discussions, we found we both wanted to write novels. We’re both type-A personalities, competition is in our blood. Long story made short, we made a bet… who would get published first? No prize, other than bragging rights, but that was all I needed to spur myself to start.

Two years later, I’ve published two books and my novella magnet is in the editing process. Unfortunately, they aren’t as successful as I’d hoped. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, I’d hit a wall of frustration on various fronts and questioned my path.

I’d prayed my way through those books, and others joined me in prayer as well. My goal was to have a lighter, less preachy story, to reach those who would avoid a traditional Christian novel. Sew my seeds, so to speak.

Was the lack of sales a message from God? Was he trying to tell me I’d heard wrong? Had I just wasted two years of my life on a project that had no value?

I’ve met some dear friends through the ACFW critique, editing, and writing groups. People I’ve prayed with and for, and who have done the same for me. This was a time for me to double down on prayer and I asked for others to pray with me. What was I supposed to do with my results?

Yesterday, I got my answer to these prayers.

The day started with a stranger sending me an email. Now please understand, I’ve gotten excellent reviews on my books, even though sales are poor. But some of those are from people I know. They wanted to read my book just because I was the author. Let’s face it, your mama can tell you all day long what a talented writer you are, but in the end, she’s your mama. What else would she say?

Back to that email…

It was a love bomb from an unknown email address. The person said she’d been gifted my book because someone thought she’d like it. I’d obviously found my audience because she praised it in that email and left me a five-star review on Amazon. But the most important piece—she said I had a message to deliver and not to give up.

God knows me, inside and out. He knew the only way He’d get through to me was through a stranger. Let’s all be that friend who prays, and that stranger who drops love bombs where and when they are least expected.

I Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. NIV.

You never know when your words or actions will change the path of someone’s life. Act as if every word and action will. @AngelaDShelton #ACFWBlogs #writetip #critiques #ACFWCommunity Click To Tweet

Angela D. Shelton lives at Two Oaks Ranch with her husband, Tom, three dogs, a dozen chickens, and a herd of Angus cows. Faith and family are her most important assets in life and in her writing. The first two books in the Collapse series are available on Amazon now.

 

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