I continued to research Appalachian life. I wasn't an expert by any means, but I slowly began to understand the proud history and struggles of people in the area. Like Shannon, I could close my eyes and imagine what it was like to live in a log cabin 100 years ago. Slowly, the storyline of Addie began to take shape.
During these early writing years, in addition to Addie Elsewhere, I created short articles and picture book stories, then dove into the tedious process of sending queries and manuscripts off to publishers and magazines via snail mail. I understood the process but was frustrated by the time involved in waiting for answers. My sole accomplishment was a short article published in Christian Parenting magazine for which I earned a modest sum of $25. When I reentered the workforce, first part-time and then full-time in marketing and communications, the dust settled on my manuscripts.
When I retired in the summer of 2017, my creative side nudged me back into action. I retrieved my manuscript files from an old external hard drive and decided to begin with Addie Elsewhere. Funny how I thought Addie's story was quite good 20 years ago, but now with fresh eyes and years of new experiences, I saw the immediate need to recreate and refresh Addie Elsewhere into the story it is today.
Instead of submitting to traditional publishers, I decided to embrace the free digital publishing platform available through Amazon. What a blessing to see my work officially available to the world online! Even if I never sold a copy, I received immense satisfaction from knowing that I had achieved my goal of completing and publishing one of my creative works.
Onward to my next rewrite! I have several other children's book manuscripts in the works. Stay tuned and thank you for your interest in my writing.
READ A SYNOPSIS.
PURCHASE ON AMAZON.
