Books and writing, Writing and running....

Yesterday, when I returned home from seeing Les Miserables (one of my all time favorite books) there was a big box at my front door.  Inside was....

Colleen Wait's books

I looked over the contents for a moment and thought, wow, I wrote those.  It was a very surreal moment.  I may never be #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list or sell millions upon millions of copies, however, as my husband so aptly put it, "Very few people have written even one book. You have accomplished much."   He says the same thing about my running.  

He's right.  I may never win.  I may never be rich and famous, however, I have put myself out there.  I have run the race. I put my heart into words, opened myself up to judgements and criticisms, rankings and place. 

It's odd.  Until now, I have never compared my running to my writing. I'm not the best at what I do, however, I work hard, train hard, do my very best.  Whether or not I win the race or the readers love my writing isn't all that important.  I love what I do.  I love to run and I love to write.  Once, I told someone that I wished there could be a mind-controlled tape recorder so I could do both at the same time.

Another similarity is how I commune with God.  On my runs, long or short, I pray.  It's our time and I covet that time with Him.  Sometimes, it's what motivates me to get out the door.  When I write, I often use the scriptures and I will spend hours reading and studying to get what I think fits the story.  Before I write anything, I pray.  What does God want me to write? Even now, I stop to pray, what do You want me to say? My hope, my prayer, is that someone will be reached for God through my writing.  If I publish 20 books and one person comes to Christ through my writing, then I have done what God has instructed me to do, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.''  Mark 16:15. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says it well:  
²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

It is my prayer, dear reader, that you will also read this and be inspired to run to get the prize.

Happy New Year

Be Blessed

Global Ebook Awards

My very first book contest and I win honorable mention.  Fourth place, and I'm thrilled.  Time to write. I'll be spending the day placing this sticker on my book cover.  All thanks and Glory to God!

I 

Book Review of "Black Purple Sky"

Today,  my book "Black Purple Sky" was given a great review.  Read it here:  Book review by Jodi or below.

The review can also be found here on Amazon where the book can be purchased in paperback or Kindle.

My Review Of Black Purple Sky By Colleen Wait

Overview: 

I could really relate to this book, as I have been there in my past many years ago at a very vulnerable time in my life. Gretchen was a personal trainer at the gym and had it all, a great job, wonderful apartment, a family who loved her dearly. But she did not date much as she enjoyed the life she worked so hard to build. She was used to guys flirting with her at the gym, but one man In particular was very persistent and before she even realized it she was swept off of her feet.

The romance began like any other with all the love and attention on her, and then suddenly Gretchen found herself in a nightmare. She had to get out, she had to run for her life, but who would help her escape such monsters? Full of suspense, mystery, an edge of your seat novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense, and a book you can't put down. I found Black Purple Sky to be an awesome read, and I would like to thank Colleen for giving me the opportunity to read and review her book. I do apologize Colleen that it took me a while to get to your book since I had quite a few ahead of yours, but it was worth all the others I went through to get to yours, God bless!

Book sample for "Black Purple Sky"

CHAPTER ONE

Mirrors don’t lie. They are not capable of it. They merely reflect what exists on the other side.  It is the viewer, the one who looks into the pane of glass, who interprets what they see. Sometimes the viewer loves what they observe whether it be beauty, happiness, or transformation. On occasions, specifically an occasion like this one, reality hits hard.  It lands square in the face and jolts the viewer to accept what is, what has become of them, and what must be done.

Gretchen’s jaw dropped, her stomach churned, and she gasped audibly as soon as the woman’s hands uncovered her eyes and she looked into the mirror. Her face, under the garish makeup was ashen gray. Who was that poor, pitiful, hideous creature in that awful dress?  She was oblivious to the chatter and bustling activity around her, the fingers fussing with her hair, as she stared at the girl in the mirror.  She was unrecognizable. Sure, she knew she was staring at herself, but it wasn’t.  The girl’s eyes were sad. Dark circles were covered with heavy make-up as was the rest of her face.  The eyelids had been painted a particularly ugly shade of blue, which clashed with the brilliant blue of her eyes. Her cheeks were orange, and her lips, oh my.  The lips were bubble gum pink.

Gretchen forced back tears. What did these horrible women do to her? Gretchen’s long blond hair had been curled, teased, piled high and glued with a case of hair spray.  On the top of her head was a silver crown with poufs of satin and lace which was her train and veil. She dared not look down.  It was like looking at a bloody accident. Horrible, but compelled to look. The garment started under Gretchen’s chin. It was an ugly, vaguely off-white satin with ruffles.  Lots and lots of ruffles.  The top of the collar, just under her chin was lined with ruffles.  Its shoulders puffed up as if a child had cut and sewn the dress and stuffed it with pillows then glued all the scraps onto the shoulder and sleeves.

“Oh my God,” Gretchen thought to herself as she touched her cheek, “kill me now. What have I done to deserve this? He told me I was beautiful. I used to be...”

Ready for more???  Get your full version at Smashwords, Amazon, or if you want it in paperback it is available at Create Space.

This book has been nominated for a Global E-book award

New Release

New book release

Young and beautiful, Gretchen Deen was beginning to live the life she always dreamed of. She was successful in her budding career, nice apartment, decent car, and well-liked by everyone she met.  As head personal trainer, she was accustomed to the flirtatious male customers at the gym where she worked. Rarely did she date any of them, however, one very persistent young man swept her off her feet into a whirlwind nightmare.  Objections were disregarded violently.  Gretchen desperately needed to take a bad situation and turn it into something good. 

Paperback also available.

Black Purple Sky

Black Purple Sky

This is a work in progress.  The above picture will be the book cover (front and back, paperback) of my soon to be released 8th book, "Black Purple Sky".   Synopsis to come soon. Roughly, it's about survival and love.