BookGiveaway:
Susan is offering 1 copy of her new release, A FALL OF MARIGOLDS. The winner will be announced here on Friday, November 28th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment.
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What Ships Are For by Susan
Meissner
I am in a passionate love affair with words but I waited a long time to do anything really creative with my love for writing. I was 42 before I wrote my first book even though I had wanted to write a novel since I was a teenager. I had been too afraid. I’d been afraid I wasn’t up to the challenge, afraid no one would want to read any book of mine, afraid of failing.I was no stranger to fear. I had terrible fears when I was a kid – all unfounded and all due to a highly active imagination, which I am glad I have now but which did not help me when I was younger.
I was afraid of up-and-down
horses on carousels. I was afraid of sunflowers that were taller than me. I was
afraid to learn to swim, to ride a bike, to roller skate, to go down a slide,
and of blimps flying above me. I was afraid of the robot on Lost in Space, Mr.
Bubble, Mr. Peanut, the Michelin Man and Mr. Clean.
Obviously, I have gotten over these childhood fears. I did finally learn Mr. Bubble wasn’t going to start talking to me in my bathtub and the Michelin Man wasn’t going to chase me down the street and suffocate me with his tire arms.
But since I had a pattern of fearing things, I just adapted what I was afraid of. And even though I’d had several high school teachers encourage me as a writer, one in particular who knew I had it within me to be a published novelist, when I became an adult, I decided that kind of writing was just going to be a hobby and it would only be for me.When I turned 42, I was editor of a weekly newspaper. But I wasn’t happy. I was restless. I wasn’t writing what I really wanted to write. What was burning within me weren’t stories about five generations of yodelers and the bank’s new manager and the high school debate team’s stellar showing at state. I had these ideas for swimming in my head and I was doing nothing about them. It took the death of my beloved grandfather, my Papa, to show me that my life was half-over – I was exactly half his age when he died. I finally understood I would rather live with rejection than regret.
When
I finally quit my job at the newspaper to write my first book, I had no idea if
anyone would publish it, I just knew I was meant to do this and I was going to
be restless until I did. God has wired all of us for some unique purpose. But
we have to be brave enough to take risks with our passions and strengths
(instead of keeping them safe inside us) if we’re going to find out what that
purpose is. When the book was finished, it took a frustrating year to find a
publisher willing to take a risk on it. But it did happen. That was in 2003 and
I have been writing novels ever since.
There is a saying that goes like this. A ship is safe in the harbor. But that’s not what ships are for.
If you’re in a restless spot, may I encourage you to consider if you’ve been at anchor too long? The wide sea beckons you. If you don’t at least try to do your heart yearns for, your outcome is the same as failing. You may as well give it a go! Why not give it your best effort and see what God may do with it. Regret is heavy weight, friend. Rejection is the easier of the two.
I
will close with this lovely quote by Luci Shaw: “The cliff edge of our anxiety
about the future may indicate that God is calling us to a new and different level
of faith. When we walk, praying for guidance, to the edge of all the light we
have and breathlessly take that first step into the foggy mystery of the
unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen; either God will
provide us with something rock-solid to land on and stand on, or He will teach
us to fly.”
See
you on the horizon.
Susan's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
On Everyone’s Story: How did @SusanMeissner benefit from fear? (Tweet This)
Is
fear hindering your writing? Bestseller @SusanMeissner shares her story. (Tweet This)
Author
Susan Meissner: #BookGiveaway of A FALL OF MARIGOLDS. (Tweet This)
Author's Bio:
Susan Meissner is a
multi-published author, speaker and writing workshop leader with a background
in community journalism. Her novels include A Fall of Marigolds, named by
BookList’s Top Ten women’s fiction titles for 2014, and The Shape of Mercy,
named by Publishers Weekly as one of the 100 Best Novels of 2008. She is a
pastor’s wife and a mother of four young adults. When she's not working on a
novel, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church.
Places to Connect With Susan:
Another wonderful interview and a book that sounds really good plus the added bonus of Christmas Treasures. God Bless and thanks again for acquainting readers with another author.
ReplyDeleteAnn, you are nothing short of wonderful, my friend. Thanks for leaping on over here!
DeleteI love Susan's stories--they're all so gripping and make me think, wondering what I'd do if I were that character in that situation.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving too.
DeleteThanks, Ann.
DeleteI like that expression: a love affair with words. amen
ReplyDeleteI love when you visit, Linda!
DeleteSusan's love for words are very evident in her writing, for sure.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your blog post, and thank you for daring to write, to overcome your fears, and for inspiring others to believe in themselves as well. I love your quote, and I wish you continued success!
Elaine,
My sincere thanks for hosting another wonderful author. Though I don't always post, I enjoy reading about your guests. And, I'm so proud of you for your short-story released in the Christmas Treasures!!! *Hugs*
God bless,
Diana
Diana, I sure hope you can see me smiling through the miles that separate us because you just warmed my heart up on this cold November day. Thanks for your kind words. Thanks for visiting when you can. Have a joyous Thanksgiving.
Delete:) I connected with Susan when she mentioned that she didn't start writing until later in life. I didn't begin writing until after I'd retired from the Navy. Have a wonderful weekend!!! *Hugs*
DeleteDiana
I know a lot of people who didn't start writing until they were in their 40s and 50s!
DeleteI can identify with Susan's fear that she couldn't't write a novel. I had to overcome that fear too. And then I found out I could. Loved the interview and your Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteAnnaLee, thanks for stopping by this evening. Well, I have to tell you--I'm thrilled that you overcame your fear because you tell a wonderful story. I loved your novel… I need to read the others in the series!
DeleteEnjoy your Thanksgiving--I know you have a lot to be thankful for this year! Praise God!
Thanks, AnnaLee. Welcome to the Overcomer's Club!
DeleteI enjoyed this interview with Susan. She's becoming a favorite author of mine. I've read seven of her books but not yet A Fall of Marigolds. I appreciate the chance to win it and the Christmas book (I liked your Facebook page awhile ago).
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Waving a fond hello, Pam.
DeleteI'm sure you will enjoy A FALL OF MARIGOLDS :)
So glad you've been in my reading community, Pam!
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteLove hearing your story, Susan - thanks for the encouragement. And Fall of Marigolds is an intriguing title. And thank you for having her Elaine - fun that you won her book and the cycle goes on. I am going to your site, Elaine and liking it!
Gail
Thanks for visiting this evening, Gail. I love when I have a guest who offers a Giveaway because as a reader (and what writer isn't a lover of a great book?) I appreciate the opportunity to win a book I can cuddle up with on a cold wintry night, or even a warm summer day. Just love books!
DeleteThanks for the new Like, Gail.
Thanks, Gail! It was my pleasure being here.
DeleteI read A Sound Among the Trees recently, and would love to read more by Susan!
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard (at least for me) to stretch outside my comfort zone! BUt who knows what might be waiting just over the horizon...
I have liked your FB page
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great interview, Elaine. You always have the best guests! I really liked what Susan said about a ship being safe in a harbor but that wasn't what a ship was for.
ReplyDeleteI didn't start writing until I was 35, but it took me a lot longer to get published! Congratulations, Susan.
That's younger than the average among the other writers I know. Kudos to you for jumping on it early!
DeletePatty and Patricia (Pat)--I apologize. For some mysterious reason Blogger isn't allowing reply commenting directly under the commenter's message so I'm hoping you will see this! And, I hope it's temporary.
ReplyDeletePatty, I related so well to what Susan shared with us because I too have my own fears. It's something we have to live with--in my opinion. LIfe and death; trust and fear. The trick is not becoming paralyzed or stagnant, to keep moving forward.
Thanks so much for Liking my FB page. Hope to see you back!
And Pat…
I agree. Susan's words about the purpose of ships is pretty powerful!
And if you don't mind me saying, with a happy grin on my face, I am trusting I'll see you again here. Praise God!
Ha ha. As soon as I posted the comments to Patty and Patricia Blogger decided to cooperate with the more direct reply comments.
DeleteSuch an inspiring story and really motivating. Thanks for sharing your story, God has really used some things you said to move me forward in my writing. Blessings to you. And thanks to you Elaine for sharing other people's stories.
ReplyDeleteShea, thanks for visiting with Susan and me. I'm glad Susan's words were of encouragement to you.
DeleteAnd, your sweet words are definitely an encouragement to me.
That makes me happy to hear, Shea
DeleteHi again,
ReplyDeleteMany of you started "late" in life - I'm a little LATER!! Started at 55-56, and I can attest to how hard it is to spread one's wings…but I'm still at it. Glad we have these channels to meet others w/similar stories.
Gail
I'm glad you came back to add and share more, Gail. I can relate to the age thingy as well… something I'm just trying to ignore. I believe God is walking me down certain paths at certain times for a reason--His reason. Yet, to be honest, I sure do appreciate the encouragement of writing and publication at certain "older" years from my guests and viewers.
DeleteThat's one of the reasons why I believe in the power of sharing one's story!
Congrats on spreading those wings!
DeleteThank you, Elaine, for a glimpse of the incredible Susan Meissner. Congratulations on your book-give-away win. A FALL OF MARIGOLDS is one of those books we’ll read again and again.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you bless others with your words, and inspire us to reach for the stars. I’m delighted you use your spiritual gift.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Linda Marie Crawford
LindaMCrawford@live.com
P.S. I allowed myself to unleash my passion to write at age sixty, and continue on the joyful journey.
Aw, Linda, I'm so happy for you! Glad the writing is working out for you.
DeleteThanks for visiting today. Hope to see you again!
Have a lovely Thanksgiving as well.
Thank you, Linda!
DeleteLinda, heartfelt thanks for subscribing to my blog via email. That means so much to me!
DeleteI look forward to catching up with Susan's books.
ReplyDeleteLiked on FB
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Mary, it's nice to see you again. May your holidays be bright and joyous!
DeleteSusan--sounds like you have another fan in Australia :)
PS, Mary--thanks for the FB Like!
DeleteYay! Love my Aussie readers...
DeleteInteresting post and perspective concerning rejection vs. regret. I did make up my mind, when I was a younger adult that I didn't want to come to the end of my life, look back and say, "I wish I would have..."
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee (AT) yahoo (DOT) com
Kay, thanks for visiting. I always enjoy when you do!
DeleteI hear what you're saying. I grew up listening to my mentally ill mother utter many regrets… ironically inspiring me to chase after my dreams.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving.
Isn't it a blessing how God can work things out for us from bad experiences? Happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteKay, that's definitely the truth!
DeleteBlessings.
I've been a fan of Susan's books for years. I love the way she writes contemporary/historical hybrid stories.
ReplyDeletehomesteading[at]charter[dot]net
Thanks for visiting, Anne. Susan's way of telling a story is pure stunning :)
DeleteHope to see you again.
Thanks for your kind words, Anne
Deleteenjoyed reading the interview would love to read this
ReplyDeleteKaren, I'm thankful for your visit!
DeleteIf you have a chance, leave your contact info in another comment. Thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving.
wow, 2 wonderful books today. would enjoy getting to read them :)
ReplyDeletedkstevensne AT outlook DOTCOM
I get newsletter and like on FB :)
Deanna, so nice to see you.
DeleteI appreciate your enthusiasm for the Giveaways!
Happy Thanksgiving.
Our church library readers love your books. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway. Happy Thanksgiving to You & Yours!
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Janet, nice to see you again. And thanks for sharing what your church library readers enjoy--as a writer, that's always nice to know :)
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving.
So glad to hear your library enjoys my books!
DeletePersonally speaking, I've had a great week hosting one of my fave authors, Susan Meissner. From the looks of the commenters' sweet words and the number of worldwide viewer hits it seems as if others have too :)
ReplyDeleteI hope, Susan, that this week has blessed you with even more adoring and dedicated readers who are blessed by your stories.
Thanks too for your offer of A FALL OF MARIGOLDS as a Giveaway. The winner of this book, plus a copy of CHRISTMAS TREASURES: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES is…
Mary P. Congratulations, Mary. Both Susan and I will be in touch with you shortly.
Blessings to all.