Almost to First Base

Dr. Edna Ellison has written dozens of books and is a well-known speaker for Christian conferences and writers’ events. I remember sitting at Edna’s dining table several months ago while we were discussing some detail about our current writing project. I said, “Whatever is easiest. I like quick and easy.”

In her jovial repartee, she replied, “If you want ‘quick and easy’, then never write a book.”

I broke out in peals of laughter. Edna has certainly taught me to be patient and wait on the Lord’s timing for things to move forward on our project. So far she has had some family emergencies, a move of her household, and we’ve both had our computers to crash. We’ve both lost digital files, she’s had a printer die on her, and summer guests have come and gone for both of us.

But praise be to God, we are nearing first base in our Bible study project. This weekend we will be getting the proposal finalized. It’s only six weeks past our self-imposed deadline to submit it to publishers—but who’s counting? Tomorrow we meet again for one last look over the printed master copy and make final edits. The various cover letters are written and waiting signatures. The envelopes are addressed and awaiting postage. The rabbit has been killed and the test is positive—we are giving birth to a book!

I want to take this space to give great thanks to Edna for mentoring me through all things and giving me such great guidance. I thank God that He gave her the patience of Job, the cheerfulness of a bluebird in spring, and the wisdom of an Old Testament prophet. She has more experience than I ever hope to have in the writing world.

Several times she told me, “We make a good team.” When there was something she couldn’t do with technology I could. When there was something about technology I couldn’t do, she could. When I needed help, she gave from her own wisdom, and when she needed the right phrase, it sprouted like a weed out of my mouth. If it weren’t heretical, I would label us the Ying and Yang Writing Project Society.

Here’s a beautiful hat off to you, Edna!

From your favorite ogre,

Linda B. Greer

Lasting Memories and Loving Comfort

Dear Fellow Writers, Publishing Friends, and Good Friends,

After over two years of hustling in the writing world, I have finally earned my first small paycheck for a short story about dogs as part of an anthology to be published by Lonnie Hull DuPont. Oh, my! I guess it will cover the cost for all the paper I have used or thrown away trying to become an accomplished writer. Thanks be to God for His gracious gifts.

 

I had a wonderful time this past Friday at the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton (pronounced as Clinnon) with Dr. Edna Ellison who spoke to ladies from various area churches on "Putting God First in Your Life". I also made a closer acquaintance with two friends from our common writing group in Spartanburg, Blessed Temple and Dianna. We laughed ourselves into tears on our voyage.

Edna was gracious enough to let me have a small end of her long publications table, and I actually got 4 orders for Susan T. Osborn's anthology Too Soon to Say Goodbye. The women who came to my end of the table were recounting very recent suicides in their circle of friends. I was glad to be able to offer some comfort and a well-written book for them to give to the victims of suicide in their community.

Suicide is becoming an all too often end to lives these days. How sad to suddenly lose a loved one to such a hurtful death. It is an especially deep wound when there is no note left, and you are wondering, "Why did this happen? What could I have done? Were there signs I missed on life's roadway?"

 

I know, as a contributor to this anthology from my husband's sudden suicide in the Army oveseas, it took me at least three years of recovery to function. I still had two young daughters we brought into the world to mother.

Everyone takes their own path and time to grieve a suicide. Their spiritual heartbeats are weak, irregular, and pining to find God through a valley of tears. Putting time limits on a mourning person just adds to their weight of grief.

Another word of advice to well-meaning friends: When someone has told you their young relative or spouse has died, please don't ask what happened. The surviving members of the family don't know the answer to a suicide and may never know for sure this side of eternity. Offer the mourning person Christian comraderie, your ears, and your prayers. And give them lots of hugs, too!

Blessings and Agape,

Linda B. Greer