One of the many challenges I face each day is how to devote the time needed to meet the obligations of my employment and give Lynn the care and attention he needs. I’ve found that whenever he calls me back to his room for assistance during the day, if he’s tired (and what MS patient is not tired most of the time), he will say, “While you’re here, would you ….” Often that request is related to typing an email response for him or copying something off a web address. Therefore, I find that in addition to my own job, I often assist him with his. Recently, though, that has gotten better.
My daughter has decided to be a stay-at-home mom. That’s great news and I’m pleased she wants to do that. I think it’s the best world for Mom to stay home with the children. That being said, in this economy, it also frightens me that she and her husband will be unable to make ends meet. I pray for them often that they will find a way to be successful in what they have chosen. While it’s nice for them, I’ve also discovered it will be nice for me.
Currently, Lynn’s son comes on Mondays and Fridays for a few hours to help him work out and he’s occasionally been helping him, as well, with typing. On Thursday, Suzie comes for a few hours and helps him with his marketing and typing. Now, Sarah will also be available a few hours a day when he does not have anyone else coming. That means that he will now have a secretary, so to speak, five days a week who can help him with his manuscripts, internet research, marketing, and email responses. Isn’t that great? It takes a burden off me to have this available.
I still do some things for him that he doesn’t want others to do. For example, Harper Voyager accepts unsolicited manuscripts during the first two weeks in October. What an opportunity for Lynn! It’s difficult to get published as a new author because many publishing houses will not accept unsolicited manuscripts. They want them to come through an agent, but it is difficult to get an agent if you have not been published. That’s why you hear of more people being self-published these days. Lynn’s first novel, Rising Tide, was published by Tate Publishing, and they were great, but Harper Voyager specializes in fantasy/Sci-Fi/supernatural fiction, which is his genre. If they selected his manuscript for publication, they would already have a built-in audience to market the book to. (all prayer support on that front would be appreciated)
When he learned of this opportunity, he immediately dusted off the manuscript for this second book. Though his second book had been written, it had been a while since he had looked at it. When this opportunity came up, he wanted to take advantage of it, so he began tweaking the manuscript. Though he writes the books, I edit them, so this adventure was a project for both of us. Last weekend, I stayed up nightly till 3 a.m. editing the book (that’s why I had no blog last week). We submitted it on Tuesday, and I must say, it’s a good book. He’s done an awesome job with it. Originally, I thought it was a little weak in some areas, but now it’s action-packed and flows well. I hope they choose it as one of their selections because it is good.
Though he’s the writer and the books he creates are his projects, I’m blessed to be able to be part of it. God opened a door for him when he became disabled to allow him a new career. It’s certainly not an easy career, but it’s one that he can do from home when he has the energy to do it, and now He has provided Lynn (and me) with the resources to help him participate in his career choice regularly. It’s so important for someone with MS who is disabled to feel productive and useful and to have a job to get up for each day as well as goals to pursue. Without that drive to produce, I think the person is more likely to decline in his/her health and abilities. God gave us work because we need to feel productive, and I am so glad that Lynn has found his new career and has a job to do.
So keep your fingers crossed that his manuscript for Eden’s Wake is selected for publication. We might not know for three months. We were told if there was no news within three months, it was not chosen so we could learn the status by default. If you like adventure fantasy, take a look at Rising Tide. It’s a very good read and was even selected as a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Book Award 2012. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
