When author Deeanne Gist won her second Christy for her second novel and was also nominated for a Rita, I asked her, "Did you ever imagine yourself here?" She humbly answered, "No." Well, I have a big imagination. It probably sounds terrible, but even though neither of my manuscripts have been sold, I like to imagine my acceptance speach should I ever win an award.

I always thank God first, of course, because I can't do it without him. I can't do anything without him. And though I may never win an award, let alone sell a novel, I still want to give public thanks.

You see, I'm starting a Boise chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. I figure, if I'm not yet able to encourage others through my written words, I can at least encourage other writers to write words that can encourage. The problem is, I don't know what I'm doing. That's why I have so many reasons to thank God.

1) I printed up some flyers and hung them on bulletin boards at bookstores, coffee shops, and libraries. God sent me a contact who had me write a press release which she forwarded to her contacts.

2) One prospective ACFW member e-mailed me saying that she googled my name. I wondered what she found, so I googled myself and found my press release under the website for a local television news station.

3) I got an e-mail from the local SCBWI president who forwarded my flyer to all local children's writers.

4) I found a flyer for the national romance writer's group and they were able to forward my flyer to all their members, as well.

5) The Treasure Valley Chrsitian News let me write an article for their next issue and put our informational meeting up on their calendar of events.

6) And most exciting of all, I got a call from the Idaho Statesman yesterday and they want to write an article about me and ACFW.

See how that happened? I hung up flyers, and God did the rest. I'm so excited to see what else he has planned for us.