Nikki is offering one copy to one randomly chosen commenter a PDF copy of her novel DANCING SOFTLY, a story of hope and overcoming, of resilience of the human spirit and the touch of a gentle God. The winner will be announced here on Friday, December 13th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
Choosing To Inspire Hope by Nikki Rosen
“Make
up a story.
Tell
us what the world has been to you
in the dark places and in the light.”
Toni
Morrison
April 2008. Something happened that triggered memories of things I never wanted anyone to know; living on the streets, shooting drugs, struggling with an eating disorder, kidnapped, raped.
To get the memories out of my head, I wrote every day, all day and late into the night. I wrote in the third person. I had no intention of publishing a book. I simply wrote to get what was inside, out.
After writing, I went running in the woods, alone - fighting with what I already knew - I had to tell. I had to write the truth...to give hope to even one person...to let them know that nothing is impossible to overcome and that Light can shine where darkness lived.
Alone in the woods - I felt God’s gentle touch and heard Him whisper, “You’re stronger now. It’s time to tell the truth of what happened. Tell your story to give hope to others.”
It took me one year to write what I lived. One year to put it down on paper. One year to remember how far down He had reached to pull me out. One year of fighting within myself to finally come to the place of letting Him use what I lived – so others could find hope too.
December 2009 I
published In the Eye of Deception.
June 2010 it won The Word Guild Award and received an Honourable Mention for
The Grace Irwin Award.
The book began
selling. I’ve received many emails, letters, gifts from people from people
around the world who read my story and told me the book came to them as a
message of hope. Recently someone donated $5000 to put the book into a prison
edition and through Hebron Ministry it will be published and distributed into
women’s prisons.
I’ve discovered
writing is a way for me to have a voice. I’ve written articles, short stories,
even a couple of poems that were picked up and published in anthologies,
magazines, and some even won contests.
I hooked up with other
writers, joined writer’s groups and signed up for classes. Over and over I
heard it said,
check what the publishers want, look for what's hot, what sells. Write about
that. Romance is good, even soft porn and consider fantasy stories that attract
teens.
I got bogged down. Discouraged. None of that excited me. What pumped me and got me sitting for hours at the computer ...tapping out words ...weaving them into stories… are life's drama's...the things that drive people to do what they do.
And I love writing
about finding hope - Hope from trauma. Hope from pain. Hope from failure. Hope
that shows up unexpectedly and becomes, 'the story changed when.' Hope that
shouts never give up because the unexpected can happen....the good...the
happily ever after.
So today...I chose to write the thing that inspires me and which gives hope.
So today...I chose to write the thing that inspires me and which gives hope.
Nikki's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Author Nikki Rosen on
Everyone’s Story: Light
can shine where darkness lived. (Tweet
This)
Everyone has a story:
Discover how Nikki Rosen made her dark past shine. (Tweet This)
Nikki Rosen: Finding
hope when all seems lost. (Tweet This)
#BookGiveaway of
Nikki Rosen’s DANCING SOFTLY. (Tweet
This)
Author's Bio:
Nikki Rosen writes fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of In the Eye of Deception, winner of the Word Guild Award, Dancing Softly, shortlisted for The Word Guild Award and Twisted Innocence, A True Story.
Find Nikki on the Web:
Thanks for introducing me to Nikki and her work. It takes courage to write what God wants us to sometimes. We think we can't do it, but He doesn't ask for more than we can give.
ReplyDeletePat, so glad you visited this evening. Not only does it take courage to write what He wants, but to live the path He has chosen even when we wonder why… God's never wrong. And I thank Nikki for sharing this with all of us, especially during the holiday season.
DeleteMay His peace be with you.
Wonderful interview- would love to win a copy of the book. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnn Ellison
abilene_nana@yahoo.com
Ann, nice to see you back again. I'm glad you enjoyed Nikki's spot.
DeleteMay His peace be with you.
Hi Pat and Anonymous....thanks for your comments. Writing is a joy for me.. It feels like breathing and to share it is a privilege. Wishing you both a beautiful weekend. And Elaine, thank you for hosting this awesome site.
ReplyDeleteNikki, consider yourself a guest of honor.
DeleteHi Elaine and Nikki, thanks for this post. I love that you write what inspires you and which gives hope and not what will bring in the big bucks. Sounds like you have touched many lives already and been a catalyst for bringing hope. We need hope.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your visit again, Linsey. This time of the year is supposed to be a time of joy, but for so many, hearts are breaking, stress is high, and illness is robbing life left and right… and I am glad that Nikki can help us remember that all is not lost.
DeleteMay His peace be with you.
Hey Linsey, I love knowing that others have found hope through my writing. I want people to know giving up is never an option. Things change. They really do.
ReplyDeletelovely sounding book....Rhonda
ReplyDeleterhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
What a great way to start my day, Rhonda, by seeing you again.
DeleteMay His peace be with you this holiday season… and always.
This sounds like a wonderfully inspiring story. So glad you answered God's call Nikki! Thanks for posting this interview Elaine! Really enjoyed the trailer. I'd love to win a copy of this book. Having worked most of my nursing career in the mental health field, I'm sure I would really enjoy it.
ReplyDeletepatti(dot)shene(at)gmail(dot)com
It's always a pleasure to see you, Patti. I think when someone, like Nikki, shows their heart and how they've remained strong through many agonies, there's something everyone can relate to.
DeleteMay His peace be with you this holiday season… and always.
Great post Nikki,
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read your new book.
Blessings,
Janis www.janiscox.com
authorjaniscox (at) gmail (dot) com.
DeleteSorry I forgot that part.
J
Hi, Janis, and welcome to Everyone's Story. Sounds like Nikki has a fan in you. I"m happy for you both.
DeleteMay His peace be with you this holiday season… and always.
Hi Nikki,
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see you here on Elaine's blog! I'd love to read your book.
susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com
Blessings,
Susan :)
Susan, thanks for stopping by during this busy season.
DeleteMay His peace be with you this holiday season… and always.
Hi Rhonda and Patti. About the trailer....my dgt. helped me put it together. Jan and Susan, you've been in my world for the past couple of years and it's awesome to see you here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nikki, for having the courage to share your story. You will help others to have hope.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Wanda S.
Wanda, nice to see you again. I applaud people who have the strength and the grace to help others cope through bad/rough times and am so thankful for Nikki… and you.
DeleteMay His peace be with you this holiday season… and always.
Hi Wanda....Courage...I never thought I had any, but I see now it takes humungo courage to survive and even more to thrive. Take gentle care.
ReplyDeleteNikki, heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all the encouragement you've offered so many viewers this past week. Thanks too for the lovely book giveaway… and the winner is Rhonda. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, due to my email provider's services being down I'm unable to send and receive emails at this given time. As soon as it's up and running again I will contact both you, Nikki, and Rhonda with instructions.
May everyone be blessed with joy and His peace this holiday season.
Thanks Elaine....wishing everyone a safe and fun weekend.
ReplyDelete