Yesterday was Veterans Day, and no one honors veterans more with her writing than my dear friend and accomplished author Tricia Goyer. Please read her story below...and then buy the book. You won't be sorry!
My Procrastination Heart Break Story
By Tricia Goyer
If you could see my desk you would chuckle. Okay, maybe not. Perhaps you would have pity on me, volunteer your time and set to work on my massive to-do list. (Any takers, huh, huh?)
Seriously, I have stacks of bills to pay, letters to answer, books to mail out, a checkbook to balance, and a toddler to chase after. That's not including the research books for my work-in-progress, making time for the teen girls I mentor, and reading through my next manuscript galley for final edits.
Usually, I can keep the balls up in the air. The bills are rarely late. The checkbook evidentially gets balanced. The toddler gets fed and bathed (most days).
And somehow, with God's grace, my writing assignments are turned in on time. But it's the things like mailing books out that end up taking longer than they should.
This is NOT a good thing. Not only do I want my readers to like me, but sometimes they might not live long enough to seen the autographed front cover. Let me explain . . .
When I received the first copies of Night Song (http://www.triciagoyer.com/historicalfiction.html#NightSong) in the mail a few years ago, the first thing I did was set aside a few copies. One thing I do is send free books to everyone who helped on the project—especially to the veterans I interview.
Well, one of the men I interviewed was a medic. He gave me some great information for my character, Nick. (Would you believe I had to go look his name up! I have too many hunky heroes in my head!)
Anyway, I emailed Earl to let him know the book would be in the mail. He said he was down with a broken hip, but he was looking forward to getting the book. A few days passed (I was under deadline for another project). Then a week. Then two. Finally, I got the book in the mail. THAT VERY SAME DAY I got a note from Earl's son telling me he'd passed away. I felt HORRIBLE! I mean, I was literally sick to my stomach. Earl had helped me so much. He had been SO excited to have an autographed copy from me. And I couldn't get my act together enough to mail a silly book.
I sent a sympathy card to Earl's family and a letter. I apologized to them for not sending the book sooner. A week later I received an email from his daughter.
"Oh honey," she said. "Don't worry about not sending the book. My dad got tired of waiting and had me buy a copy for him. He read it right before he passed away and loved it. He was so excited. He showed everyone."
Thank you, GOD!
I was SO thankful. Even though I didn't have my act together, Someone did!
As an added bonus, through the communication with Earl's kids I discovered he never shared much about his experiences during WWII. (This is common with many veterans.)
After his death, I was able to forward the emails and stories he'd sent me, and because of that they were able to discover part of their father's past they'd never known.
Isn't God good? In spite of my procrastination.
Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling mom of four and an acclaimed and prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in national magazines. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia's written numerous novels inspired by World War II veterans, including her new release Remembering You. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas. You can find out more information about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.
Video with Tricia talking about her newest novel about WWII veterans:
http://www.guideposts.org/video/inspirational-stories/tricia-goyer-inspiring-story-her-new-book
Tricia's Story in Guideposts about interviewing veterans from the 11th Armored Division: http://www.guideposts.org/inspirational-stories/war-heroes-provide-answer-authors-prayer
More information about Tricia's novel, Remembering You:
http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou
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