Fabulous Friday Feature- Miralee Ferrell

Today I welcome an author who loves to read, ride horses, play with dogs, go sailing, basically anything outdoors. She is a fun person to have as a friend:
Miralee Ferrell

Enter to win Miralee's book,

Blowing on Dandelions 

Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter.

I asked Miralee to share with us how God had led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said:

God Opened the Door

I know a lot of writer’s believe they’re called to write but my calling was more dramatic than you might expect—and it showed me quite clearly that God had something special in mind. 

I was at an evening church service with a visiting pastor speaking. At the end he had a call for prayer, and I went forward. He prayed with me and then stopped. He said he believed God was calling me to write and it needed to be published. I went home, prayed about it, and felt a confirmation, although I had no idea what direction to go.

All I could think was to chronicle the things the Lord had done for my husband and me since we met, which turned into a 60,000 document, but I couldn’t imagine anyone caring to read it. So I moved on and wrote several true-life articles, all of which were published that first summer. 

I had no idea what to do next, but a friend suggested I try Christian fiction. I didn’t think I had any creativity, but she urged me to use something from my life that I could fictionalize.

Soon after, my debut novel, The Other Daughter was born, based on an event in our lives. An eighteen-year old girl wrote us a letter saying she believed my husband was her father. Talk about a shock! 

I revised the idea to a thirteen-year-old girl and changed the events and emotions, but it poured out, burning to be told. It took me about seven weeks to write the first draft, another 6-8 months to rewrite and polish. 

I attended my first writing conference and learned I needed an agent. I sent proposals off to agents and to a few publishers. I got requests for two partial manuscripts and one full, and shortly after signed with my agent. Six months later we had a book contract, and a little over a year later, (2 ½ yrs after the call to write), the book released. That in itself is a miracle, as many writers have manuscripts sitting in their files for years before they’re picked up.

God has been such an integral part of my writing career. He’s sent amazing friends who are multi-published authors to encourage and aid me when I’ve struggled. One even recommended me to Summerside for my first Love Finds You book. 

I went on to write four books for their line, and then David C Cook signed me for my Love Blossoms in Oregon series (historical romance). The first of three, Blowing on Dandelions, just released. I’m so excited about this book, as I know that God put the storyline on my heart. Blowing on Dandelions and The Other Daughter are both ‘books of my heart’ that were burning to be written, and ones that I truly believe will minister to the lives of women. 

My husband asked me once if I’d have continued down this path if I’d known how much work it would be, and I heartily answered Yes! Absolutely. I write because I love it and can’t imagine not doing so. Besides, God opened the door, and I’ll continue until He shows me it’s time to set my computer aside and move to something else, or until He takes me home, whichever comes first.

You can find Miralee at:

www.miraleeferrell.com  (website and blog)

www.facebook.com/miraleeferrell

www.twitter.com/miraleeferrell

To enter the contest for a copy of Miralee Ferrell's book: "Blowing on Dandelions":

leave a comment (and email address)

and become a follower of this site if you aren't already.

U.S. residents only. 

Winner announced on my facebook page.

Thank you, Miralee, for Joining us This Weekend!

Friend, how about you? Choosing to follow God's will isn't an easy task at times. God sent specific friends to help Miralee. For me, He puts a song in my thought. What does He do for you?