Miracles and Gratitude

Get your copy here!

Today is Thanksgiving Eve and it so happens that my workload is just a touch light and I have a moment to write something. 

I write pretty regularly, whether it's for work or my writing, but this blog gets ignored. Rightly so. It's been on the back burner for a while as I juggle three or four jobs. But as I said earlier, the workload is lessoning, and come the new year, it will be even a little bit lighter.

Which is good news, really. It means back to more writing time for myself, which is what I want. 

Sometimes we have to walk away from what we think we love, to find out that it is indeed our passion and true love. Writing for myself is that perfect true love (with wearing, finding, and selling vintage clothing a very close second.)

I was lucky enough to be published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, a fourth time now, last month. It feels like a dream every time they publish something of mine. It took me a good ten years to get them to say "yes" to me so now that they're saying "yes" regularly, I almost can't believe it. 

I'm not sure why this is how my writing career had to take shape. I think the biggest reason is my stuff just wasn't that good. And when I look at what've I written -- and sent them -- I can see why they were rejected. Good writing takes time and I'm not even that good. But knowing I know how to improve -- and see my work get out there-- gives me and hopefully gives all of you some needed hope. 

Write all the time, edit, rewrite, and write some more. The act of writing, whether it's publishable or not at that moment, is what will get you to that point of getting published. 

This latest publication is called Miracles and the Unexplainable. My story is about a cardigan I sold, one that I wished I hadn't let go of, that came back to me. And how it happened is downright miraculous.

This entire book -- out of all the Chicken Soups I've been a part of -- is my favorite. It deals with miracles. And it is so encouraging.  Who doesn't need to read good things like that? I'm honored to be in it and thrilled to reinforce the true adage that "miracles do happen."

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your friends and family. And if you're reading this, know that I'm so grateful for you reading along with my writing life -- and regular life -- all these years. You're the best! 

Keep writing.

-HJS

Writing and Living the Dream

Every day I wake up and thank God I get to do what I do.

Here are those three things: writing, selling vintage, and being a mom.

While the mom thing is permanent, and I'll be that for as long as I'm alive (and I'm so glad I can), the vintage and writing are choices I make every day because I want to.

I write all the time. From articles for the magazine I work for to articles and stories, I submit freelance, to middle-grade fiction (I am working on one...I promise. It's nearly done), every now and then something gets published and it makes my day.

Selling vintage is a whole different world and genre, so feel free to go to the site to see that.◄ But it's just as amazing for me.

Just a few days ago, I was published once again by Chicken Soup for the Soul, and this time, in their latest book Kindness Matters. 

At my desk...where all the magic happens.

This is my third time being published by them and let me tell you, that euphoric feeling with the acceptance letter doesn't get old.

If you're looking for some inspirational stories -- for the concept that good people and good things happen to people all the time all around us -- I'd recommend this book. Every story creates hope and allows us a peek inside everyday people's lives to see that there are truly kind people out there.

Thank you, Chicken Soup, for trudging through submissions and picking mine...again. 

Click here to get a copy or wherever books are sold. You'll be glad you did.

Keep writing!

-HJS