I am grateful for so many things this Christmas. Typical things like my family, health, and income. I don't take them for granted. I reflect weekly on God's grace with respect to those areas in in my life. So when I thought about what I would share today for the start of this series I considered my book release party yesterday. It was an awesome time. I was so blessed by the number of people that came out to support me, and the kind words that people said about me. But there was one moment that touched my heart more than any other, and that was when I looked out in the crowd and saw the look of pride on my mother's face as she watched me sign books. Both my parents have lived to see my novel,
Secrets and Lies released. I dedicated the novel to my aunt Laura who very much wanted to see the novel finished, but died three years ago. I have had to forgive myself for my procrastination and really accept that God’s timing is always the right time, but I would have so liked to look out and see her smiling at me too. I know she's looking down on me from heaven and she’s smiling. So, I thank God that my parents held my book last week and got the chance to tell me how very proud they are. Can you tell I’m crying? I am very grateful indeed.
Here's a picture of me with my awesome writers group, Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta. I couldn't have done it without these ladies. From left to right, starting at the top: Veronica F. Johnson, Sharon Ball (blogger-
A Break from the Norm), author-Tia McCollors and she's holding her daughter, Regan (
The Last Woman Standing), Tangie Henry (
Inspired Sister), Pamela English (blogger-
Pam's Perspective), me-Rhonda McKnight (
Secrets and Lies), Vanessa Madden, author-Sherri Lewis (
The List), author-T.S. Jones
(Everything But The Ring), author-Melissa Ewell Miller (
A Reason To Love). Bottom, from left to right: Trina Charles, author-Ashea Goldson (
The Lovechild), publicist-Dee Stewart (
DeeGospelPR), and author-LaMonica Smith (A Meeting In The Ladies Room).
4 comments:
thanks, rhonda, for the seeet post and your acknowledgments to me. i'm honored you think that i have any value at all. i hope more of your dreams continue to come true.
What a blessing to watch and cheer you on as your dreams are realized by the launch of your first novel. I'm so very proud of you, Rhonda, and I can't wait to see what God is going to do with your writing gift.
Let me add my congratulations as well. You and your readers may like my new release, Angela 1: Starting Over, a novel accessible to teens but of interest to adults as well. I am not African American but one of Angela's closest friends is and one of the themes of the novel is the injustice he is subjected to and the harm that does. By the way, one of our three kids is adopted (at less than a week old) and he is Afro-Brazilian. If you are interested in learning more about my book, please click on my name and follow the link to my web site. I also invite you to read my blog at www.davidabedford.aegauthorblogs.com. Thanks!
Now you've got me crying, because listening to your mom talk about you and how excited she was for you was the highlight for me too!
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