looking back and being thankful

In about five weeks, my 69th book, A Promise Kept, will begin arriving in stores. Yesterday, a press release went out to the media, sharing the story behind the story of this book. I’m hoping this novel will be embraced by readers, but I’m always nervous at this point. At least early reviews have been encouraging:

“Hatcher departs from her more recent historical novels for this contemporary exploration of the conundrum faced by believers when they accept God’s word but can’t see it being manifested in their lives … The mountain setting is as appealing an aspect of this upbeat, well-paced novel as Allison, Emma, and their family and friends.
~ Publishers Weekly 

“Hatcher’s beautifully crafted tale alternates between the past and the present. Allison and Emma are incredibly relatable characters, and readers are able to examine their own lives through the mirror of the novel’s events. Filled with family and faith, the author’s phrasing is exquisite and a treat to savor.”
~RT Book Reviews TOP PICK

Thirty years ago this month, I was anxiously awaiting the release of my very first book (like A Promise Kept, it would begin arriving in stores at the end of the year). The novel was a mass market paperback historical romance, released by a small New York publishing house that, sadly, didn’t edit my book or the ones that followed. All of my mistakes are in print. Groan!

I probably shouldn’t even share the cover of my first book. It’s definitely an embarrassment (never cared for the ripped bodice look of 80’s romances). I discourage people from reading any of my general market books. They are only available used now, and I would dearly love it if all of them would disappear from existence so no one could ever read one again. But they won’t disappear. I have to live with my past, as we all do.

Who I am today is the direct result of everything I have experienced in my past. We all hope we will learn from our mistakes, mostly so we don’t repeat them.

My early years in writing romances for the general market did, eventually, teach me to be a better writer. Those years did give me a wealth of experience in the publishing business, including a two year stint as president of Romance Writers of America. And they did help me discover the kind of books I wanted to write.

It amazes me to look back over the past 30 years. First of all, how can it be 30 years? I’m not old enough for it to be that long! Well, that’s not true. There is no denying the march of time.

Today, in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to share how thankful I am to God for this unexpected career I’ve enjoyed for three decades. Although I always loved to read and was always scribbling something somewhere, I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer. I didn’t ever seriously consider trying to write a novel until I was 29. And even when I wrote my first book and then sold it, I didn’t know I would want to write another and then another and then another. A “writing career” was not part of my vocabulary when I started out.

But God knew and guided me, even when I was completely unaware of it. He created me to be a storyteller and has helped me through the years to use the talent He gave me. How grateful I am for it! Books #70 and #71 are in production now, and I am writing away on the novel that will be my 72nd release. Like I said. Amazing!

How has God surprised you when you take a moment to look back over your life?

I hope you’ll share your thanksgiving with me in the comments.

~robin