Have you ever had a whirlwind year? You know the kind I’m talking about, where it’s all you can do to keep up with what God’s doing in your life? A year ago, my husband and I were packing up for a week-long trip to Tennessee to visit friends. It had been on our hearts to relocate—which was a little scary since neither of us had ever lived anywhere but California—but we didn’t really think it’d happen. We had just returned from visiting our son in Tokyo, which we did right after the Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference, where I met Sandra Barela (owner of Celebrate Lit Publishing) for the first time. A smattering of things that might or might not develop into anything of significance.
Two months later, we were moving across the country, and I had my first book contract. One thing I’ve learned? Expect the unexpected. You never know what God’s doing behind the scenes and, for sure, you never know how He’s going to accomplish His plan. It’s best to take a deep breath and run through the doors as they’re flying open.
Another thing I’ve learned this year is that writing a book is the easy part of getting published. Anyone who knows me knows I’ve never had a big presence on Social Media. It’s no longer an option to lurk in the background, and things change so quickly, it’s impossible to keep up. I didn’t know what a Street Team was, and in my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d need one. And now I need to be branded? Sounds painful, doesn’t it?
But what’s really sweet about it all is that it’s given me an opportunity to connect with other people, and that is what’s truly important. I reconnected with a friend from middle school I haven’t seen in twenty years. I had a heart-warming email connection with my beautiful niece, which I’d never had before (thanks Amanda, I love you!) Every day is a new adventure. I was even on the front page of our local paper!. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to promote myself—I don’t even dread doing videos anymore. Now that’s progress!
And tomorrow, Surrendered will be released. So, here’s my little marketing pitch for the day. To be entered for a chance to win the ebook version, go to my website, www.JenniferSienes.com (if you’re not reading this there) and sign up for my monthly newsletter. Not only will you receive the latest news, updates and offers, but you will receive a free novella (Seasons) I wrote for my newsletter followers. For a second chance at the drawing for Surrendered, share this post on Facebook. If you’re on my website, just copy the URL and paste it into a new Facebook post. Then please let me know that you’ve done so and I’ll enter you in the drawing, which will take place on May 6th.
Embrace change. It’s going to happen whether you want it to or not, so you might as well enjoy it.
Comments 1
You are awesome. Love you lots.