Fabulous Friday Feature- Rhonda Gibson

Today I welcome an authoress who has become a wonderul friend: Rhonda Gibson. 

Enter to win an autographed copy of Rhonda Gibson's book: 

As you can see from the smiles in her pictures Rhonda has come to see God's timing in her life. As I spoke with her about the journey God has led her on, she expressed joy.

And so we share with you, her answer to my weekly question: How has God led you on your writing journey:

God’s Timing Is Everything

I started writing when I was very young. My earliest novel was written when I was 12 years old. I loved reading Hardy Boy novels by Franklin W. Dixon and wanted to write one, too. I hand wrote about 400 pages and gave them to my mother to keep. Hey, I was a kid I had no dreams of publishing the book. I just wanted to write it 

Then it was many years later that I decided I wanted to write, again. My sweet husband bought me a typewriter and I started several pieces but with two babies barely 13 months apart, I soon gave up. Don’t get me wrong I did not give up with bitterness; I just felt in my soul that it wasn’t the right time. My babies needed me more than I needed to write.

When the kids were four and five years old, I joined a small writers group. It was mainly composed of ladies who had put off their writing until their families were long gone. A friend, from that group, talked me into going to a Children’s Writing Conference. My friend was 84 years young at the time and her family wouldn’t let her go unless she found someone to drive her. I offered to take her but she’d only let me, if I entered the short story contest. I wrote a short story called, The Legend of Hoowha. Mom took my kids for the weekend and away she and I went. Imagine my surprise when I won second place.

Again, life stepped in and I put the writing aside. My sweet husband was going to school full time and working full time. I was working full time and wanted to spend my evening with the kids. I just didn’t have time to write. How many of you are with me on this? However, I did make time to read and was drawn to sweet romances. I loved the Harlequin sweet lines and dreamed of writing for them, someday.

Time passed and at times I felt like I was going Daffy waiting. I wanted to write, I needed to write! I joined writer’s groups, I made writing friends, joined critique groups but I always had something more pressing going on that needed to be done. I did submit to publishers and as I did all these things, my writing was growing. I was growing. I was learning patience and it took a LONG time.

God has His timing and when it came, I was ready. In 2002 I felt the tug to once again get serious about writing. Thanks to American Christian Fiction Writers, I “met” online one of my favorite authors. She helped me team up with three other wonderful writers and in 2003 I was awarded my first writing contract from Barbour Books at the ACFW conference in Houston, Texas.  

God has been good and I’ve been blessed with more contracts since then. In 2011 He opened the doors at Harlequin, my dream publisher, and allowed me to sell my first Love Inspired Historical to them. My journey took patience but I know His timing is always the best and I give him all the glory for my writing career.

God has been VERY good to me. Not only have I been blessed through my interaction with editors and fellow Christian writers, but my fans as well. Each letter and email I receive from someone who appreciates my work is a God-kissed gift.

Books by Rhonda Gibson:
The Marshal's Promise
The Midwife's Legacy
Groom by Arrangement

To enter the contest for an autographed copy of Rhonda Gibson's book, leave a comment and become a follower of this site if you aren't already. Include email address in your comment. U.S. residents only. Winner announced next week.

Thank you, Rhonda Gibson for Joining us This Weekend!

Reader, Rhonda has shared how God has walked with her, asked her to wait, then encouraged her to renew her love for writing. Are you currently working on your passion? Has God show you this is your time?

You can find Rhonda's at these sites https://www.amazon.com/author/rhondagibson

http://www.rhondagibson.net  http://recipesfromrhondascollection.blogspot.com/