Thirty years ago, I was a newlywed in my early twenties living on the Caribbean island of Anguilla.
In this house…
We’d moved to Anguilla because my husband was working as a tennis pro at a resort there. It had been our dream to live overseas and see the world during the early years of our marriage, and we were delighted that we were able to make that dream come true. I look back on those first four years (three in Anguilla, one in Australia) with tremendous fondness. Those were some of my favorite years of all!
However, there were challenges, too. I felt how very far away we were from all our friends and all our family. Living on a small island wasn’t convenient–I had to bump down a dirt road for twenty-five minutes to drop clothes off to be washed, we had no dishwasher, we had no movie theater or mall. The grocery stores weren’t at all what I was used to. And I had a lot of time to fill because I couldn’t work there. (My husband could do something–teach tennis to tourists–that no local person could do at that time. But I didn’t have skills that unique and so the government wasn’t going to let me take a job from a local person.)
I’d always been a reader. But, because I had so much free time, for the first time ever I thought, “Maybe I could try to write a book?” That would give me something to do! I had an imagination. I had a computer. So, absolutely CLUELESS about the craft of writing, I sat down for two hours each weekday and started rattling off a romance novel.
It was terrible. So bad! I set it in the 1800s in Norway and England. It was incredibly long, as long as two books. As soon as I began using snail mail to send query letters and pages to agents and editors, I learned that I’d made every rookie mistake possible.
Nonetheless, a monumental thing happened during the writing of that book. It was never published (thank you, Lord) but it’s worth its weight in gold to me because, through it, I fell in love with writing.
And that changed everything that came after. The girl who’d received a degree in business and planned to become a career girl wanted to become a writer instead.
I didn’t know when I started that first book how hard the writing road would be at times. I didn’t know that it would be so discouraging that I’d quit it for seven years. Or that I’d switch genres to Christian fiction. Or that crafting novels is as difficult as it is. Or that I’d still be writing in the year 2024. (Again, thank you Lord. For all the things I didn’t know. Because any one of them might have derailed me.)
We’ve lived in Dallas since the late 90’s. We’ve raised three children. We’ve had joys and difficulties.
And, after all that, I still love to write.
I still do.
I’m celebrating my thirty year writing anniversary with a giveaway! [This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winners, Kim and Carol!]
Praise God, for knowing our path before we do and directing us on it. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Becky Wade
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Hi! Merry Christmas! And Congratulations!!!
I’d love to try Memory Lane if I’m chosen please.
You’ve had some fabulous adventures!
Wow! Congrats on 30 years of writing! I’m so glad you didn’t give up or I wouldn’t have met you and been blessed by our 12 years of friendship.
Congrats on your writing journey, Becky! I have all of your books, I am a huge fan, but wanted to express my joy for you. I also want to thank you. In the age of “spice” and open-door scenes and dark romances, Thank you so much for continuing to write beautiful love stories.
This encouragement means a lot to me, Kymberli! Thank you.
Congrats on 30 years of writing. I’d love a copy of Rocky Road. God bless, Kim in NC
Congrats! You’re one of the winners. I’ll email you!
I would love a copy of that first novel 😉 totally kidding! But I bet it’s wonderful. Love your books so much, I would take any of them. A few I haven’t read are A Love Like Ours and My Stubborn Heart. I also saw there is a Becky Wade who wrote a book about running. Is that yours too?? If I win, could you make the book a come with a genie so I can run it and have wishes come true? Like becoming a wonderful writer like you?! All of the conditions are right, minus limited time with 3 kids under 5 (insert crazy face!). Best to you! And love your content <3
The Becky Wade who wrote the book about running is NOT me! She’s wonderful, though. I know that because we both live in Dallas, have a mutual friend, and because we’ve been in contact a bit over social media. 🙂
Congratulations on celebrating 30 years!! Your books have brought me great joy. Not sure what one is my favorite as I’ve loved them all. If I would be chosen I think the book I’d like would be Memory Lane. Have not read this one yet. Thanks so much & Merry Christmas!
I’m delighted to hear that my books have brought you great job, Anita. Thank you for sharing that with me!
Congratulations on 30 years! How interesting to learn of how God led you to become an author. I have not read any of your books, so any would do. 🙂
Wishing you a very, Merry Christmas!
How are we old enough to have worked 25 and 30 years? We must have started very young indeed. HA! Congratulations on such an amazing milestone! Here’s praying for a milestone of 30 books! (wink wink!)
Congratulations Becky. I have read all of your books. But I would love a copy of My Stubborn Heart, as that was my all time favorite. So glad that you didn’t give up writing. I love that you have kept them all clean romance. It is a delight to read any of your books.
What a wonderful milestone and so fun to learn your ‘in the beginning story’. 🙂 My reading life greatly improved when I picked up “My Stubborn Heart” many moons ago, and continues to improve with each of your books. What an amazing gift God has blessed you with, which you use to bless us. May you keep writing for another 30 years!
“Memory Lane” would be my choice if picked.
Congratulations on the major milestone in writing!
If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love the opportunity to read and review STAY WITH ME. Love the mystery and romance mixed into what sounds like a fabulous story.
Thank you so much for the chance!
Oh, Becky I have just recently joined reading this blog about you wonderful writers, so to be honest I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of your books, but would love to. They sound like so much fun.
You are on my list of authors to read.
Judie, you will love her books, she’s a fantastic author. Start with her first book and you won’t quit.
Congrats on a tremendous milstone, Becky! I love hearing how the Lord plants seeds that come to fruition in unexpected ways. It took my husband losing his job to kickstart me into the writing world. I’m so thankful the Lord gave you that nudge 30 years ago and stirred your passion for writing. The world is better for it. 🙂
Loved reading your story! We began our married life almost 53 years ago in Okinawa. I couldn’t get a teaching job at first since no one ever called my husband’s work since we didn’t have a home phone. I wrote a lot of long letters home, but wasn’t a writer of books. Eventually a friend and I went to tour a pineapple plantation, met a principal who said he’d call me to sub. A week later he offered me a full time teaching position (?experience unseen). My classroom was a Quonset hut that got pretty hot, but I loved my students. I would love your book Rocky Road. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Congratulations! I love True to You.
We are all so happy you started writing 30 years ago! Congrats!
This is such a wonderful quick, and poignant, look at your writing journey!!! Congratulations on your 30 year journey!!! As your Mom I am so so proud of you and how God has been guiding you!
Happy 30 years! I hope you know what a wonderful impact you’ve made on the genre of Contemporary Christian fiction. I’m also glad that you’ve become a “hybrid” author, and we can support you in that. I would choose a print copy of Rocky Road- I really loved it!
Love your story, Becky! I too just celebrated 30 years of publishing books. I started writing at age 6 and knew that was all I wanted to be.
So thankful for the paths the Lord takes us on. And it was so sweet to have time to chat at the Christys.
Blessings and congrats! Elizabeth
Congratulations on your 30 years! I’ve read all of your books and would love a copy of Turn to Me, one of my very favorites.
Merry Christmas!
Congrats on the 30 years, Becky. I’m glad you fell in love with writing even if the first book wasn’t what you wanted it to be. Because the many books that came later have been wonderful. Here’s to the next 30 years.
Congratulations on this milestone! I would choose Memory Lane. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Congratulations, Becky! What an accomplishment! I am so grateful you kept writing. Your books are some of my all time favorites to read and reread. Any one of the Sons of Scandal Romance books would be my first pick! ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations! I would pick Meant to be Mine. Have a Merry Christmas!
Rocky Road or Memory Lane, I haven’t read them yet!
Congrats! You’re one of the winners! I’ll email you.
Thanks for the chance to enter
A book entitled My Stubborn Heart sounds perfect for me.
Great picture of your family!
Thanks for sharing about your writing journey.
Merry Christmas!
My Stubborn Heart is one of the few books of yours that I don’t have on my shelf. It’s the book that made me want to read every book you write, which I have.
Congratulations! I wouldn’t mind “Sweet on You” or “Falling for You.”
Your writing has been so very inspiring to me…thank you! I’d love to have my own copy of My Stubborn Heart, or your upcoming Uneasy Streer.
Congratulations on 30 years! I need your newest book that hasn’t come out yet. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you for sharing your story & memories!
I would like to read “Memory Lane”
Merry Christmas!
I would love to read Sweet on You. Merry Christmas blessings!
Becky, I’m SO late to the party, but just want to say a huge congrats on this 30-year anniversary. It was my 30-year this year also (in January) except I think I was considerably older when I first started writing. So thankful you are producing wonderful, wholesome books for a world that needs good news!