I clearly remember meeting my Hayley for the first time. Labor took 4,5 hours (short compared to most), a few pushes and some tugging. Then they handed me this squishy bundle of wrinkled skin – pale, blueish and not too charmed at facing the big world. I was smitten. To me, there’d never been anything more beautiful than this shivery miniature person in my arms and I couldn’t wait to show her off to anyone who cared to spare a moment. The other two arrived slightly differently, but the feeling was the same. An overwhelming love unlike anything I’d felt before. Fast forward 16 years and look how they’ve grown… From the left Carmen (my niece – well done Barbs!) and my Bronwyn (6), Hayley (nearly 16) and Nikita (13).
Many writers use the whole pregnancy/baby/birth analogy to describe the process of getting a book out. I don’t think of my books as my babies, but I do love them and opening the Final Cover Art email from my publisher was nothing short of terrifying. What if it misrepresented my story? Or the designer picked all the colors I detest? Don’t forget, I’m a writer. I live in a world of worst case scenarios.
I took a deep breath, double-clicked and found this:
Wow, what a moment. I love it! From the slip-slops (they put in the slip-slops!) to the way the beach sand trails off into the distance, the color of the water offset against the sky and most of all the little girl in her too-big shades – just like my girls used to.
I am smitten and I can’t wait to show it off. Thank you for having a moment with me!
It’s beautiful. I’m so excited for you and proud of you for holding on and believing. I remember reading the first ch. of this. And, now it’s in a publishers hand. Wish I was closer to celebrate!
I would love that too Jen. It is still so unreal to be on this side of all the hopes and dreams.
Not bad at all! I’m so glad you’re pleased with it.
Thank you 🙂 I think there are some things I would have done slightly differently, but in the big picture… I’m happy to trust the experience of the publisher. They’ve been at this a whole lot longer than me!
I am so excited to read this book! Where can i get a copy and when???? 🙂
You make my heart happy! hehe! It will be a while yet…
So when will I be able to get my hands on this one?
Hi Alice, I finally have a release date! 19 June…
Yay! Can’t get to get my hands on it on June the 19th!! 😊
wow this is going to be awesome cant wait to read it myself
Thank you Cindy 🙂 I loved writing it.
What can I say except Thank you Jesus, for Di and for her gifting!!
Love you Barbs xxx
I wanted to wait until I could touch a copy of the book but couldn’t resist a peek. It’s stunning! Amazing how anything with a beach and sand looks like somewhere you’ve been before. Guybrush would approve.
The got the beach just right, I’m delighted 🙂 Hehe @ Guybrush!
What lovely children — you are greatly blessed my fine writing buddy.
All the best to you and yours
JZ
They are my riches JZ 🙂 Beautiful inside and out. Thank you!