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Julianne MacLean | The Color of Heaven
February 8, 2011
I have a story to tell you about having a dream and not giving up, no matter how
many times you get knocked down. Most of you know me as a historical romance writer. Over the past 11 years,
I’ve written 15 historicals for three different publishers, so I think it’s safe
to say I’ve been branded as a certain kind of writer. Occasionally, however, a writer needs to step out of the box, and it can be both
exciting and nerve-wracking to venture into risky, untried territory. I know
this for a fact, because I have just released my first women’s fiction
mainstream contemporary novel, THE COLOR OF HEAVEN – and
let me tell you, it was a good lesson about perseverance, because I had a very
hard time selling it. I first came up with the concept for the book six years ago, because I’ve always
been fascinated by near-death experiences and the question about what lies on
the other side of this life. My interest in the subject grew after a serious car accident at the age of
twenty-five. Somehow, miraculously, I survived a horrendous wreck and walked
away without a scratch. I’m still not sure why I was so lucky, but there are
some things we just need to accept and be grateful for. Ever since, I have cherished my existence on this planet and have recognized the
fact that every day is precious. I’ve had a few hard knocks in my life, and
have come to realize that we all have hurdles to conquer and a destiny to
fulfill. We have a responsibility to keep going when the road is rough, and to
reach our full potential, no matter what that potential might be. What are your dreams and goals and talents? Have you figured them out yet? If you have, I applaud you. If you haven’t, I believe that you will. Something
will happen in your life (or has already happened) that will give you greater
understanding about what you are capable of, how strong you are, and how you can
find your bliss. I believe the proper word for that is legacy. No matter who you are or what you
do, you are going to leave something behind, and you are going to struggle a bit
along the way as you figure out what that legacy is. What will your footprint
look like? I wanted very much to write a story about a woman who doesn’t know the answer to
that question, but discovers it through her own challenges and heartbreaks.
She, too, is knocked about quite violently in life. She suffers incredible
loss. Even after she skids her car off an icy road and plunges into a frozen
lake, she chooses to reflect upon her past and learn all that she can in order
to move forward. There are times she wants to give up, but she doesn’t. Even
the face of death doesn’t stop her. She recognizes, and is grateful for, the gifts she has been given, and steps
into the future with courage and an appreciation for this glorious gift called
life. You have been knocked down, too. I am sure of it. We all have. Getting up is
the important part. Keep learning, keep growing, keep fighting. In honor of this, I have a special offering for everyone who has stayed with me
and read this far. THE COLOR OF HEAVEN is available for FREE at Smashwords
for one week only, with the following coupon code: AV93F. Expiry date is
Monday Feb 14, 2011. Please share this coupon with your friends on any blogs or
message boards where readers like to take advantage of free books that are
offered legally for download, and are not pirated. I invite you also to visit my website at www.evmitchell.com, where you can read more about my rough
and bumpy journey to the publication of THE COLOR OF HEAVEN. Thanks for joining me today. I encourage you to follow your dreams and never
give up. Julianne MacLean / E.V. Mitchell
Comments
13 comments posted.
Re: Julianne MacLean | The Color of Heaven
Just your post alone is inspirational, Julianne. Can't wait to read The Color of
Heaven and follow Sophie's journey.
Pam Callow
(Pamela Callow 8:51am February 8, 2011)
Thanks for posting, Pam!
(Julianne MacLean 10:06am February 8, 2011)
Julianne -
I loved your post having gone thru several life changing moments myself. First was when I was in my 20's at the birth of my first son who was born 4 weeks early with a colasped lung and the power of prayer. The next two were when I can to have cancer surgury and quadruple by-pass within 4 years of each other which gave me a new appreciation of life and frienships when I was in my 40's and 50's. All of these experiences made me realize the fragility of life and of living in the moment, appreciating every day and the love of family and friends.
Thanks for the oppportunity for the free download. Your story sounds like a peace of your soul.
(Jeanne Miro 11:25am February 8, 2011)
Can't wait to read this one! What a great post!!
hugs,
WendyK
(Wilma Keel 11:43am February 8, 2011)
Thank you Jeanne - sounds like you have struggled through a lot of challenges in your life, but have come out the other side stronger from it. Thanks for the kind words. Hope you enjoy the book.
(Julianne MacLean 1:51pm February 8, 2011)
Sounds like a good read. Nice post!
(Brenda Rupp 7:46pm February 8, 2011)
Looking forward to reading it, Julianne. Thanks for the inspirational message!
(Bev Pettersen 9:25pm February 8, 2011)
Thank you for sharing your book with others. I'm sure it's going to be a powerful read. My life was taking one path when my Nieces were born - I was excited, and knew what I was here to show them, and help guide them on their journey, but we hit a fork in the road. lol Now, after a major loss, including the loss of my Mother, I have a new goal. I want to keep my Mother's memory alive through my knitting by making lapghans, and perhaps shawls and baby items, and taking them to senior homes and shelters in her name. I miss her very much, and there's more to it than that. Right now it's in the planning stages, and I have to get my yarn together. This has been a dream of mine for a little while, but after losing our house, we're still getting back on our feet. Thank you again for the book. Loved your blog today. It was fresh and invigorating, even if the topic isn't, but I'm sure you know what I mean.
(Peggy Roberson 9:27pm February 8, 2011)
Thanks for the free download.
(Lisa Richards 10:15pm February 8, 2011)
I'm glad you were able to get your book published, because it seems to mean so much to you. I'm looking forward to reading it. Best wishes with with any book you write.
(Sigrun Schulz 11:12pm February 8, 2011)
What a generous offer. Thank you for the download.
It is a shame the publishing industry pigeonholes authors and has a hard
time seeing a different side of them. I've never understood the logic of
having an author change their name when writing in a different genre. They
claim it is not to confuse the reader. If I like the way an author writes in one
genre, there is a good chance I will like their writing in another. We aren't
always aware of different pen names and are missing out on something we
might enjoy. I am glad you finally got THE COLOR OF HEAVEN published.
(Patricia Barraclough 1:30pm February 9, 2011)
Sounds great
(Marsha Nelson 6:15pm February 9, 2011)
I've heard the concept of near-death experiences, but haven't yet had the occasion happen to me. Each person who describes their ultimate yo-yo journey followed by an earth-bound return, looks to the receiver of the story to see how much they are believing or un-believing this strange aspect of being between worlds.
(Alyson Widen 11:24pm February 9, 2011)
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