skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I'm pretty sure writers will understand this post, and I think everyone else will too.
I had a story, the story of my heart, that weighed on me for years. It was always in the back of my mind, asking me to write it. I wanted to, but I was busy, or the time wasn't right or publishers wanted something else from me. For years I let it go. But it had to be heard and finally I stepped away from everything else and went to work on the story of my heart.
It wasn't easy. The characters had to be real and quirky and fun. They were together in most scenes. Research required a cross country trip. The book was contemporary and all I'd written was historical. It was personal and revealed my soul. It was risky. And I had to get it right.
I did it. And I felt good about that book.
To Dance With Dolphins is the story I had to tell. It's a good story. But it's not one that at first glance is appealing to the masses. It's about people, young and old who live with mental and physical illness. They are real, they are people who suffer like so many of us do.
So, why would anyone want to spend time with characters who suffer? Read an entire book about people who fight just to get out of bed in the morning?
If sales say anything about readers, my guess is that most people don't want to spend more time where they already live. Only, they'd be wrong if they think that's all this book is about. The journey my characters take across this amazing country called America is one we should all take. It's a place to discover who we are, why we're here, and to realize there is so much to hope for and that exuberant joy exists even for the afflicted.
We all experience physical or emotional obstacles. After living with chronic pain for twenty-five years, one thing I know is that everyone has stuff. We all walk through valleys, some of them terrifying and dark, but nevertheless we walk through ... one step at a time. We also climb mountains and stand on summits and gaze at amazing vistas that make us cry because we can't believe something so beautiful even exists. We give and receive love and devotion that reminds us that goodness still flourishes on this planet where we live. And there are troubles we think we will never overcome and then we do.
We try to ignore the places we don't want to think about. The "what ifs" of life. Where there are no winners. Where our bones and souls are crushed - where God meets us. He reaches down and lifts us up, pulls us into His arms, presses us against His heart and wipes away our tears.
How extraordinary it is when we realize that with the Lord there are no losers. Whether in this life or the next, His children win.
I wrote To Dance With Dolphins because I had to. It is a story for those who have no hope. It is a place where they may find it. And for those who stand alongside the suffering I pray it will give you strength.
Mostly it is not about suffering. It is about living and discovering love, joy, and hope. It is the story of my heart, the one I had to tell. I want people to read it. I pray people will read it.
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
You can purchase the book here: http://amzn.to/1PkPGu2
I've been waiting for this day, the day I get to tell you all about my book, To Dance With Dolphins.
I got the idea for the book way back in 2005 and then made a cross country trip to do research for the story in 2006. If you'd like to see some of my posts and photos from the trip just go to the blogs for late September and early October of that year. It was an amazing adventure. This photo was taken at the Grand Canyon.
You're probably wondering why it took so long to actually write the book. It's pretty simple - when I first presented the idea to my agent she was crazy about it (Thank you Wendy), but publishers just didn't catch the vision. So I went to work on other projects and stayed busy. But the idea never left me ... I knew I had to write this tale one day.
Early last year, I decided that no matter what this was the year. I was going to write the story of my heart, the tale that had been simmering inside and demanding to be told. I shared the idea with my friends at Ashberry Lane Publishing. They caught the power and possibilities of this unique story immediately, and said, "Yes. We want to publish it. Write it!"
And so I did. And I'm thrilled that today is here, the day I've dreamed of. I want to jump and leap, and shout to the world that the story of my heart is done and available for readers.
I hope and pray this talle touches the hearts of thousands, uplifts and encourages those who live with chronic pain or illness and that it will give understanding and insight to the people who stand with those of us who live inside wounded bodies.
I wrote it for you.
And I wrote it for me.
Twenty-two-year-old Claire Murray has suffered from a mysterious disease for years. Her social circle has shrunk to a small support group for people with chronic illness and disability. But what if life could be about more than doctors, pain, and medications?
Claire and three others—old grouch Tom, hippy-holdout Willow, and moody Taylor—hatch plans for a cross-country trip to swim with the dolphins in Florida. Only a day into the trip, they unexpectedly need help. And who happens to be hitchhiking along the highway but a young, good-looking loner named Sean Sullivan? However, the last thing he wants is to be harnessed to a bunch of ailing travelers.
Though the journey proves difficult, following God’s plan might be even harder. Will they find the courage to follow their dreams and dare to live again?
My cast of characters taught me so much. I hope you love them as much as I do. Make sure to get a copy of the book and become acquainted with Claire, Sean, Willow, Tom, and Taylor. I think you'll agree that they are very special people.
You can buy the book at your local bookstores or online.
http://amzn.to/1OSje2d
http://bit.ly/1HsfBdG
http://www.bonnieleon.com
And don't forget to enter my TO DANCE WITH DOLPHINS CONTEST. Just go to my home page at http://www.bonnieleonn.com.
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
