During the time the Penny's Project blog posts began posting, and my new novel, Stepping Into Sunlight was heading out to meet the world, I was blessed by many kind acts specifically thought up by friends as a way to support the new book. I just had to share a few of them here.
In part, I share these to say a huge THANK YOU to all the people who have brought me to tears with their kindness, but also because some of these are ideas you may want to use in supporting a favorite author one day.
Janelle spent a day with me (and more time later) creating beautiful hand-crafted "Penny's Project" notebooks that I could give as doorprizes, to store managers, and to people who came to my book launch event.
Laura and Ginny both wrote and offered to mail out postcards to her friends to tell them about Stepping Into Sunlight.
Deena wrote and said she was declaring October to be "Sharon Hinck Month" on her blog, and was personally purchasing my books to give out as prizes.
Cynthia included a full-page ad in her fall magazine - as a gift!
Judy wrote to tell me how much the book meant to her and that she planned to get it ordered by her library system.
Jeanette composed an email about the book to send to everyone she knew.
Joyce emailed and reminded me she was praying for me throughout what was a very busy month for her.
Sue stopped me in the church lobby to tell me about certain scenes she really liked in Stepping Into Sunlight - which totally encouraged me.
Those are just a few examples of the kindnesses that were shared with me recently.
And of course many of you talked about this blog project on your own blogs and directed people here. So thank you to everyone who participated in sharing their terrific ideas, who posted comments, who sent me emails encouraging me in this project, and who also wrote to tell me how much the book spoke to you or encouraged you.
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3 comments:
OK so I know that it's beyond September, and I hadn't really gotten involved during the that month. School overloaded me to the point I couldn't read any books *suffocates* I can breathe now that I’ve read a couple good books!
I loved this book, and really identified with Penny. Sure I haven't witnessed anything more tragic than seeing my husband and his minor siblings through the death of their last parent... no horrific crimes or anything of the sort.
But life hurts. When for two years you try and try to have a baby, lose one, and then watch all your friends get pregnant around you. The past three weeks as these babies have been born, and more announcements have come out I’ve wept so hard I couldn't breathe.
I fear meeting these babies, even though I want to so badly. I don't want to be the dark cloud on their sun shine. It's easier to keep to the back of the church, not talk to the pregnant women if possible, and keep clear of newborns. It's easier to stay cooped up in the house, living life secluded with my husband and the two teens that live with us.
But is that what God really wants me to do? Or would he rather me reach out to these new mothers? Make them some meals, help them out, do a load of dishes for them, pick up the little extras they might forget at the store, change a diaper or two, babysit so Mama can take a nap... It hurts... oh
it hurts... and i need courage...
I’ve been thinking about this, but haven't yet moved. I'm scared, I'm hurting, yet I want be effective. I'm in one of those places where it's easier to keep God at a casual distance in fear that if I let Him too close that I'll find out He can't or won’t keep His promises. I can't bare that. I already doubt them too much.
I read Stepping in to Sunlight, and I feel a project like this would help me a whole lot.
LOL I was kind of disappointed to see that there were no more posts going in to October. Like Pay it forward... it could sweep the world with random acts of kindness. Like my mentors have always said, "If you're feeling down, find someone to help." God made us that way, and we always feel better after helping someone. Don't take the easy path. I'm preaching to myself here... :)
Charlotte, thanks so much for your heartfelt comment.
You have such a tender heart...looking for ways to serve others even while in the midst of unbearable pain. I KNOW others will relate to your story.
Yes, I wish I could have done new posts after the September project. I spent the first half of October traveling, (and since then recovering and catching up) and wasn't able to write new posts.
I, too, hoped this blog would reach many people and stir up support for each other as we seek to do small acts of love. There just hasn't been much activity here at the blog in spite of my best efforts to get friends interested in it.
For those who missed the September project and want to try it, just go back and use the earlier posts for each day of the month - you can do it in November, December, whenever! :-)
And I hope folks will continue to post about their experiences here. Thanks, Charlotte!
Dear Sharon,
I finally purchased a copy of Stepping Into Sunlight at B&N. The salesperson said that it looked interesting and I told them all that my friend wrote it! They said that they'd make it a recommended book.
Blessings and rest to your soul!
Love, Cheryl
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