Perseverance

Perseverance

My first book was accepted for publication the year I reached 71 years of age. I had begun writing Prayers and Devotions more than 25 years before, through a weekly prayer letter for my church. I enjoyed writing, but never thought of publication. But after I retired I felt that God kept prompting me to put the devotions into books. Yes! Books. Not just one!
The first book took over 3 years to put together – and 7 more years of rejection after rejection from publishers.
God always has a plan though! I had submitted my proposal to a new publisher, just 1 week after I had been rejected again. Three weeks later I received a phone call from them, showing interest, but the book was far too long, and would have to be shortened. We worked well together and the first book was received about 9 months later.
Most publishers tend to publish only already known and affirmed authors. So God really wanted this book to be out there for people to read and grow to know Him in a deep and personal way, through a daily quiet time.
I write for Christians who desire a closer walk with God, and will be encouraged by meeting with Him on a daily basis. The devotions are broadly based on my walk with the Lord over 60+ years.
Now came yet another challenge! Distribution!I had received  books for my own personal contacts and started to promote them to my church, friends, family, and by word of mouth. I have successfully distributed all of the first book!
Since then I have written another four books, and they have been successfully published, not only in printed form, but also as eBooks – so they are readily available all over the world. My 6th will be available later in this year.
When the opportunity to take part in D’vorah’s Book Marketing Challenge, I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to learn how better to promote my books. I have learnt so much, and have started to apply some of them. 
It struck me that I have to get knowledge of my book/s out to a much larger audience than I do at present. But, I have to start small – to identify my market, and concentrate on reaching them.
Because I am based in South Africa, and there are constraints to my books being available  in Book Shops, I have been doing promotion and marketing in a small way by myself. It would be great to be able to reach a much greater market, and the Book Marketing Challenge has provide me with many ideas. Thank you!

2 Corinthians 8 : 11 says, “On with it, then, and finish the job! Be as eager to finish it as you were to plan it, and do it with what you now have.”

The 5 books published so far are available both as Kindle eBooks and in print.
“God is waiting to meet you!” “God wants you to know Him” God wants to bless you” “God’s Promises” “Today is no ordinary day”
They are also available as eBooks here.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/183-4051953-5315857?rh=n%3A154606011%2Ck%3Aann+goodfellow&keywords=ann+goodfellow&ie=UTF8

Ann Goodfellow

Devotional Writing Workshop ~ Roodepoort 5th April

TOTM November: We Are All Different: Let's Prove It!

Many new writers are reluctant to share their story ideas in case someone else will steal them and write them up themselves. Yet I'm sure you will agree that we're all different. Given the same situation, we would all write the story differently.

For this month, let's have some fun and prove our differences. I have selected ten words using a Random Word Generator . My challenge to you is to write a short short story using all of these words in any order.

1. Trusting 
2. Luggage 
3. Rotten 
4. Delirium 
5. One way
6. Tedious 
7. Diploma 
8. Refreshment
9. Trudged
10. Relentless

Paste your story in a comment below and let's see what develops over the month. 

TOTM October. The Upside-Down Tree EDIT #5

Work through the section in black and pick out a maximum of three things you think need to be changed. Type your corrections in a comment below, using CAPITALS for your changes, and explain why you think they need to be corrected. Allow at least one other person to post a comment before you look for more alterations.

Remember, there usually isn't only one way to say a thing. You may disagree with others, and that's fine. Just enter your own thoughts--a maximum of three at a time (so that others have a chance too).0

N.B. If you spot something that needs changing in the blue section, you need to go back to the previous posts as they may well have already been picked up. Only cover the black words in this post.

THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 17:1-10
_______________________________________________________________
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  . . .  they drew Jason and certain brothers before the city judges, crying, These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Acts 17:6 (KJV)

_______________________________________________________________

As I drove along the road through the Limpopo Province of South Africa, I stopped the car to gaze with my eyes at the mighty baobab tree standing alongside the road. I knew that in the South African wet rainy season, this tree would give bountiful shade to both animals and humans alike as well as it would be providing food, water and shelter. Yet right then, in the dry air of the desert winter, it had lost all its foliage. It's head and arms appeared to be buried under the sand. Its spreading branches resembled fibrous roots as they reached out to the sky above. This had earned it the descriptive nickname, "The Upside-Down Tree." A number of African legends seek to explain the reason why this big tree appears to grow this way.

Early Christians were referred in their day as those "who turned the world upside down" because they made such a noticeable impact on people. I wonder if that could be said of us Christians today? Do people see us as different to them? Do we have a noticeable impact on those around us? Or are we so like everyone else they don't see any difference? Over forty years ago in the past, someone succeeded in turning my life upside down when they introduced me to Jesus Christ. Through the years, I have been privileged to lead others into Christ. Yet I am surrounded by people who need to have their lives turned upside down-or would that be right way up?

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive me for the times I seem to appear to be just like everyone else. Please help me to live in such a way that my life helps to make a difference to all those around me. Help me to show them ways of how to turn their lives right way up.

TOTM October. The Upside-Down Tree EDIT #4

Work through the section in black and pick out a maximum of three things you think need to be changed. Type your corrections in a comment below, using CAPITALS for your changes, and explain why you think they need to be corrected. Allow at least one other person to post a comment before you look for more alterations.

Remember, there usually isn't only one way to say a thing. You may disagree with others, and that's fine. Just enter your own thoughts--a maximum of three at a time (so that others have a chance too).0


N.B. If you spot something that needs changing in the blue section, you need to go back to the previous posts as they may well have already been picked up. Only cover the black words in this post.

THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 17:1-10
_______________________________________________________________
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  . . .  they drew Jason and certain brothers before the city judges, crying, These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Acts 17:6 (KJV)

_______________________________________________________________

As I drove along the road through the Limpopo Province of South Africa, I stopped the car to gaze with my eyes at the mighty baobab tree standing alongside the road. I knew that in the South African wet rainy season, this tree would give bountiful shade to both animals and humans alike as well as it would be providing food, water and shelter. Yet right then, in the dry air of the desert winter, it had lost all its foliage. It's head and arms appeared to be buried under the sand. Its spreading branches resembled fibrous roots as they reached out to the sky above. This had earned it the descriptive nickname, "The Upside-Down Tree." A number of African legends seek to explain the reason why this big tree appears to grow this way.

Early Christians were referred in their day as those "who turned the world upside down" because they made such a noticeable impact on people. I wonder if that could be said of us Christians today? Do people see us as different to them? Do we have a noticeable impact on those around us? Or are we so like everyone else they don't see any difference? Over forty years ago in the past, someone succeeded in turning my life upside down when they introduced me to Jesus Christ. Through the years, I have been privileged to lead others into Christ. Yet I am surrounded by people who need to have their lives turned upside down-or would that be right way up?

TOTM October. The Upside-Down Tree EDIT #3

Work through the section in black and pick out a maximum of three things you think need to be changed. Type your corrections in a comment below, using CAPITALS for your changes, and explain why you think they need to be corrected. Allow at least one other person to post a comment before you look for more alterations.

Remember, there usually isn't only one way to say a thing. You may disagree with others, and that's fine. Just enter your own thoughts--a maximum of three at a time (so that others have a chance too).0

N.B. If you spot something that needs changing in the blue section, you need to go back to the previous posts as they may well have already been picked up. Only cover the black words in this post.

THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 17:1-10
_______________________________________________________________
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  . . .  they drew Jason and certain brothers before the city judges, crying, These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Acts 17:6 (KJV)

_______________________________________________________________

As I drove along the road through the Limpopo Province of South Africa, I stopped the car to gaze with my eyes at the mighty baobab tree standing alongside the road. I knew that in the South African wet rainy season, this tree would give bountiful shade to both animals and humans alike as well as it would be providing food, water and shelter. Yet right then, in the dry air of the desert winter, it had lost all its foliage. It's head and arms appeared to be buried under the sand. Its spreading branches resembled fibrous roots as they reached out to the sky above. This had earned it the descriptive nickname, "The Upside-Down Tree." A number of African legends seek to explain the reason why this big tree appears to grow this way.

Early Christians were referred in their day as those "who turned the world upside down" because they made such a noticeable impact on people. I wonder if that could be said of us Christians today? Do people see us as different to them? Do we have a noticeable impact on those around us? Or are we so like everyone else they don't see any difference? 

TOTM October. The Upside-Down Tree EDIT #2

Work through the section in black and pick out a maximum of three things you think need to be changed. Type your corrections in a comment below, using CAPITALS for your changes, and explain why you think they need to be corrected. Allow at least one other person to post a comment before you look for more alterations.

Remember, there usually isn't only one way to say a thing. You may disagree with others, and that's fine. Just enter your own thoughts--a maximum of three at a time (so that others have a chance too).0

N.B. If you spot something that needs changing in the blue section, you need to go back to the previous posts as they may well have already been picked up. Only cover the black words in this post.

THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 17:1-10
_______________________________________________________________
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  . . .  they drew Jason and certain brothers before the city judges, crying, These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Acts 17:6 (KJV)

_______________________________________________________________

As I drove along the road through the Limpopo Province of South Africa, I stopped the car to gaze with my eyes at the mighty baobab tree standing alongside the road. I knew that in the South African wet rainy season, this tree would give bountiful shade to both animals and humans alike as well as it would be providing food, water and shelter. Yet right then, in the dry air of the desert winter, it had lost all its foliage. It's head and arms appeared to be buried under the sand. Its spreading branches resembled fibrous roots as they reached out to the sky above. This had earned it the descriptive nickname, "The Upside-Down Tree." A number of African legends seek to explain the reason why this big tree appears to grow this way.

TOTM October. The Upside-Down Tree EDIT #1

Work through this short section and pick out a maximum of three things you think need to be changed. Type your corrections in a comment below, using CAPITALS for your changes, and explain why you think they need to be corrected. Allow at least one other person to post a comment before you look for more alterations.

Remember, there usually isn't only one way to say a thing. You may disagree with others, and that's fine. Just enter your own thoughts--a maximum of three at a time (so that others have a chance too). 

THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 17:1-10
_______________________________________________________________
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  . . .  they drew Jason and certain brothers before the city judges, crying, These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Acts 17:6 (KJV)

_______________________________________________________________

As I drove along the road through the Limpopo Province of South Africa, I stopped the car to gaze with my eyes at the mighty baobab tree standing alongside the road. I knew that in the South African wet rainy season, this tree would give bountiful shade to both animals and humans alike as well as it would be providing food, water and shelter. Yet right then, in the dry air of the desert winter, it had lost all its foliage. 

TOTM September A Story in ONE SENTENCE. 10

The elephant lowered his head towards the glimmering water and took a firm grip of the oar floating past. He raised it high over the crocodile who was lurking menacingly in the reeds. A hunter watched the scene, his boat helpless in the thick vegetation where his rifle lay beyond reach. If that croc swam closer to him, he'd be trapped between the croc and elephant.

Suddenly a sound of cracking wood filled the air. From right behind him. He froze as water bubbled through the splintered boat, soaking his boots and filling up the boat.

~~00~~

On the bank of the river, Daryl Peterson peered through the reeds, and steadied his rifle. "You won't get away with this," he muttered softly, while aiming at the hunter in distress.

"Got him!" The croc rolled on its back in a death roll aimed at the hunter. The boat tipped, sending the hunter backwards into the river where the certainty of death by drowning became real.

Daryl remained motionless as the elephant stepped closer to his foe. "Good, one thwack with that and revenge is complete."

The oar smashed into the crocodile just inches from its snout. Daryl watched in horror as the croc swung around, its jaw wide, allowing the bloody body of the man to drift free on the surface of the water.

"Hah, thought you'd get away from me, you scumbag? Didn't think I'd be able to find you in this kind of place, did you? I only hope the croc comes back for you so no one finds you and spots the bullet wounds." Daryl stood up, slinging his rifle onto his back again as he headed for the thick bush.

He soon reached the clearing where he had left his Landrover, but came to an abrupt halt when he realised it was no longer there. He scanned the area for clues--four different sets of footprints patterned the sand where his car had stood merely an hour ago.

Daryl caught a glimmer of movement in the bush ahead and crept forward; to discover he was crouched behind a small herd of elephant with their backs to him. Behind him, a twig snapped, and he turned, coming face to face with a massive bull elephant.

His heart sank as he realized there was no way he could out run this threat. But, then, he looked in wonder at the broken oar held by the elephant. This was the one that had thwacked the crocodile. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't such a threat. Daryl clutched his rifle to his chest, afraid that if he raised it to fire on the elephant the gigantic beast might reach him first, and attempted to sidle into the thick bush on his left.

As he pushed through the thorns and dense vegetation, he kept a watchful eye on the elephant whose only movement was a slowly swinging trunk and an occasional twitch of his massive ears.Then, without a sound, the elephant turned and walked slowly round where Daryl stood and joined the small herd. Daryl let out his breath and lowered his rifle, thankful that he did not have to face, and shoot, a charging elephant.

Suddenly the elephants started to clump together, their ears flapping and some raised their trunks; clearly they heard or sensed something Daryl did not. Then he too heard the sound as a heavy-duty motorbike skidded into the clearing and uniformed rangers tumbled out, their hunting rifles at the ready--and they weren't pointed at the elephants.

"Are you all right, Daryl", one of the rangers shouted. "We heard there were poachers in the area, and were concerned about you!" 

"Thanks," shouted Daryl. "I managed to shoot one of them, and had some help from the big guy. Glad to see you both!" 

"Big guy?" 

"Yes, the elephant. There's quite a story to tell."

TOTM September A Story in ONE SENTENCE.9

The elephant lowered his head towards the glimmering water and took a firm grip of the oar floating past. He raised it high over the crocodile who was lurking menacingly in the reeds. A hunter watched the scene, his boat helpless in the thick vegetation where his rifle lay beyond reach. If that croc swam closer to him, he'd be trapped between the croc and elephant.

Suddenly a sound of cracking wood filled the air. From right behind him. He froze as water bubbled through the splintered boat, soaking his boots and filling up the boat.

~~00~~

On the bank of the river, Daryl Peterson peered through the reeds, and steadied his rifle. "You won't get away with this," he muttered softly, while aiming at the hunter in distress.

"Got him!" The croc rolled on its back in a death roll aimed at the hunter. The boat tipped, sending the hunter backwards into the river where the certainty of death by drowning became real.

Daryl remained motionless as the elephant stepped closer to his foe. "Good, one thwack with that and revenge is complete."

The oar smashed into the crocodile just inches from its snout. Daryl watched in horror as the croc swung around, its jaw wide, allowing the bloody body of the man to drift free on the surface of the water.

"Hah, thought you'd get away from me, you scumbag? Didn't think I'd be able to find you in this kind of place, did you? I only hope the croc comes back for you so no one finds you and spots the bullet wounds." Daryl stood up, slinging his rifle onto his back again as he headed for the thick bush.

He soon reached the clearing where he had left his Landrover, but came to an abrupt halt when he realised it was no longer there. He scanned the area for clues--four different sets of footprints patterned the sand where his car had stood merely an hour ago.

Daryl caught a glimmer of movement in the bush ahead and crept forward; to discover he was crouched behind a small herd of elephant with their backs to him. Behind him, a twig snapped, and he turned, coming face to face with a massive bull elephant.

His heart sank as he realized there was no way he could out run this threat. But, then, he looked in wonder at the broken oar held by the elephant. This was the one that had thwacked the crocodile. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't such a threat. Daryl clutched his rifle to his chest, afraid that if he raised it to fire on the elephant the gigantic beast might reach him first, and attempted to sidle into the thick bush on his left.

As he pushed through the thorns and dense vegetation, he kept a watchful eye on the elephant whose only movement was a slowly swinging trunk and an occasional twitch of his massive ears.Then, without a sound, the elephant turned and walked slowly round where Daryl stood and joined the small herd. Daryl let out his breath and lowered his rifle, thankful that he did not have to face, and shoot, a charging elephant.

Suddenly the elephants started to clump together, their ears flapping and some raised their trunks; clearly they heard or sensed something Daryl did not. Then he too heard the sound as a heavy-duty motorbike skidded into the clearing and uniformed rangers tumbled out, their hunting rifles at the ready--and they weren't pointed at the elephants.