Celebrating the Little Victories



Me (left) and my lovely sister-in-law

One thing I've learned on this writing journey is to celebrate even the smallest accomplishments and victories. Just today I received a phone call from my sister-in-law that made me do a little happy dance.

I've known her for seventeen years and she's one of my very best friends. She's supportive of my dream (she took the picture of me to the right), but she's made it abundantly clear that she's not a reader by nature. She's told me many times that she doesn't like to read, and only does it when it's necessary. This doesn't bother me in the slightest - I've told her she's missing out on one of God's greatest gifts to us - but, her loss. :)

So when I thought about people I could ask to be Beta Readers, my sister-in-law didn't even come to mind.

One day, when she was at my house, a copy of the first six chapters was on my counter. I said: "If you'd like to read it, let me know." Secretly, I wanted her to say yes, but I didn't think she would.

Then she surprised me. She took it and said she'd read it.

Two weeks went by and I forgot all about it. I thought she was just being courteous to me by taking it, so I was further surprised when she handed it back to me with some comments in the margins! I quickly gave her the next twenty-one chapters, and again, I forgot about it.

Today I received her phone call in the middle of her work day. She'd finished what I gave her (with more comments and notes in the margins) and she asked me if I could get her the last four chapters. If I couldn't, she had already talked to my other sister-in-law and could get it from her. I quickly told her I'd print her off a fresh copy and would get it to her when I picked my kiddos up from school.

After I got off the phone I had a smile on my face - and I did that little happy dance. In my opinion, this is one of those victories worth celebrating. Even if my book is never published, I was able to encourage one more "non" reader to read a full length historical novel - and enjoy it. I've already read her notes and I'm blown away with how thorough they are.

I can't wait to find out if I've made a reader out of her, yet!

What about you? What small victories are you celebrating?

~ ~ ~ ~

Post Script: She called at 8:30 tonight and told me she finished the book and she liked it! I told her she was the subject of today's blog post. :) I'm so happy she enjoyed reading my book - it gives me hope that if I've converted one non-reader, I can do it again!