Inspiration for Writers - In a Book!

     The box arrived yesterday. A beautiful brown cardboard box with Simon & Schuster’s name on the side.

     My name isn’t on the cover or the spine, but it’s “my book.” 

     In bookstores May 21, Chicken Soup for the Soul: inspiration for Writers.

     My sixth story for the Chicken Soup for the Soup conglomerate is one of the 101 included in this anthology. Four of my previous stories you can find in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books at your local bookstore, the fifth you’d have to hunt for because it’s on a forty pound bag of dog food (did you know Chicken Soup for the Soul has a pet food line?). But after five stories, I’m still as excited as I was with number one. And I have to say that this story is a big one. 

     Why?

     Look at the title! This is a book for WRITERS. Writing something for other writers was intimidating. Go to any writer’s conference. There are hundreds of people there at various stages of their writing careers. I've met people who have authored over a hundred books. I’m a relative newbie.

     But I felt I had something to say. It came from my heart. And I guess it flowed onto the paper with words that spoke to the editors, too. So look for me on page 230!

     My story is titled “Getting Started.” Because everyone has to start somewhere.  

     “You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”—Mary Manin Morrissey (page 6).

     It’s an inspiration to be in the book—and it will be an inspiration for me to read the 100 stories new to me. If you get a chance to read my story, come back and let me know what you think!