When my pre-writer’s creative mind came up with the idea for a mouse that thinks his name is Eek because that’s what people say when they see him I didn’t know I would be the one writing his story.
It’s been quite a journey for me. This adventure began it’s next leg about ten years ago when I prayed a simple, heartfelt prayer, “Break me. Break me. Use me.”
By the end of July 2008 I began writing my first book. My lack of experience or training didn’t phase God one little bit. The way the story flowed from me made me aware this wasn’t just me writing it.
When the children hold their Christmas program at our church they come out during the morning worship services and sing a couple of songs to entice us to come back that evening to watch the entire program.
We had an in house song writer at that time. There was one line that stood out in my mind. It said something to the effect that they laid Jesus in the place where they fed the animals.
I don’t know why but I heard God’s still, small voice say, “It’s time for Eek to come out.”
I set that first story aside and wrote Eek’s legend…at least I thought I wrote the whole thing.
Keep in mind that I didn’t own a computer at the time, another item that didn’t slow God down. I hand wrote the story on the weekends because that’s the only time I had available to write.
After I wrote it I took my paper notebook to the public library and typed it onto a thumb drive, aka a USB thingy.
The following Christmas a friend bought me a notebook laptop computer. I downloaded Eek Explains Christmas onto that small wonder and began shopping it around to publishers with no luck.
The only ones interested were the ones that wanted me to pay them to print it. Money was an object at that time and still is.
I met an online friend at a writers’ conference a few years ago. Sally had just become a literary agent specializing in children’s books. When I explained what I had she said it was too short. If I could make it nearly double the size she might be able to sell it.
So I went back and wrote all the back story they tell us not to write. That means the last half of the book is the first part I wrote. I still couldn’t find a publisher interested in it…until this year.
I joined some sort of online group thing, probably a Facebook group for Christian writers.
I watched to see who else joined this new group. Some names I recognized from other online groups and organizations I belong to.
Deb Haggerty signed up shortly after I did. She said she owned a publishing house so I followed her link to see what they’re looking for. Middle grade novels are something they just began looking into.
Elk Lake Publishing just had some finalists in the Selah Awards. I think some of them won.
When I sent Deb Eek’s Gifts I hoped she’d like it as I prayed for God’s leading.
She said she likes the way I handled some touchy issues like death, but it’s too long. I now need to cut about half of what I added to lengthen the original story.
I went back to the gal who helped me edit this a few years ago. She has worked with Deb and said we’d be a good fit. We cut a lot out and wondered if it would be enough.
When I resubmitted the manuscript Deb replied that I needed to cut about 5,000 more words to get it below 25,000.
I took a few of scenes out that I realized were fluff and cleaned up some sentences and paragraphs.
I just re-resubmitted Eek’s Gifts on Saturday evening at 24,844 words.
Please pray for God’s guidance now. I don’t know if we can make this happen before this Christmas but it sure would be nice since the mice discover the true meaning of Christmas.
I’m excited but not quite ready for a banana split just yet.
Banana splits are how this Christian celebrates big life events.
Let’s just say my mouth is watering at this point.
I’ve begun writing a squeek-uil for this book so two splits may be in order soon…we’ll see.
Please pray.
I’ll see you later. Wade
