This year is really special to me. I sold my first Love Inspired book in late 1996 and it was published in December of 1997. I was Number Twelve in the first year launch authors. I’d already published five books by then, three with Avalon and two with Leisure. I’d been struggling on where to go next but when I landed at Love Inspired, I knew I’d found a home. I could write the romance novels I loved but with a faith element in the mix. Oh, joy!
I had made it to New York with the first five books, but now I had made it to one of the big publishers, too. What a feeling. I went to RWA-Orlando, terrified to fly or to speak to anyone. At the big RWA literacy signing, I was sitting across from Nora. Yes, that Nora. The news had broken about the plagiarism of her work and a reporter was waiting to talk to her. Bored with the long line, he walked over to me and asked me what I thought of the situation. I swallowed and squeaked out something about how I admired both authors and that I was sad this had happened. He worked for one of the Orlando papers and included my name and my quote in the article. And low and behold, it got picked up by some of the Georgia newspapers–one of those being the Albany Herald, which my sometimes critical mother-in-law read. She called my husband (who was at home with our children) and read him the article. She was thrilled I’d been quote in an article about Nora. I’d finally impressed my mother-in-law. Years later after she passed away, my husband found that article folded up in some old clippings she’d kept. That gesture meant as much to me as getting the call to write for Love Inspired!
Since then, I’ve gone on to write seventy books and counting for Love Inspired and Harlequin. For someone who grew up on a farm by a crossroads and read for the sheer joy of learning from books, this is a dream come true.
This career has allowed me to travel across the country. Yes, all the way across the country! I’ve made so many friends I can’t count them and they are all talented and wonderful, present company included!
I’ve met some fishy characters along the way and most have gone into a book, but not always in a good way!
I’ve learned how to take Selfies, such as this one with Julia Justiss, the Dee-Jay at the Harlequin party, me, and my darling editor Patience Bloom. We have had good times together and she is my rock!
So I’m celebrating all year long, of course. Buying shoes to celebrate, of course. Thanking God that I get to write in my little room every day. And while we have good and bad within the industry, we still hold out hope that God’s word can be included in our fiction. We show we are Christians by our love. I love my job and I try to show His Grace in each word.
Visit my facebook page at @lenoraworthbooks and my website www.lenoraworth.com and my facebook profile page at Lenora Nazworth to find great giveaways from Love Inspired all month long and all during the year. I love hearing from readers.
This job has been so much fun and I hope I have twenty more years of stories left in me. After all, I still need shoe money, right?
What do you love about writing? What do you love about being able to read the books you enjoy? Share my joy and tell me your stories!
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What a milestone, Lenora! 20 years. Wow! I’m just barely at 7. It is so encouraging to hear your continued enthusiasm and love for the work instead of the burned-out grouchiness that sometimes comes with traveling a long road. You inspire me to keep going and keep smiling. What a blessing!
Thanks, Karen. This industry can be brutal but considering I never though I’d get my first book published, I don’t take it for granted. It’s what I dreamed of since grammar school so I thank God every day and try to do the work to the best of my ability. Negative attitudes won’t get the work done or change the industry. So I stay the course and keep on writing, through the ups and downs. And have the occasional hissy fit, of course! But I truly love writing!
Congratulations Lenora! Well done faithful servant!
Thank you, Lynn. It’s been a fun ride!
Congratulations Lenora! I love your stories so am glad you are planning to “earn some more shoe money”. 😍
Oh, yes, Jen. That is my motivation. That and being able to write the kind of books I love. Thank you for reading them!
I am writing my first novel and am loving the process. Some days the words flow and some days I wait for words to come. I love reading and am learning a lot from other authors about the writing process. 🙂
That’s great, Melissa. It’s a process and has good and bad moments. But going for it is half the battle. The writing community is very supportive and today, we have lots of resources online and at conferences. I’m so glad you’re working on your first book. Exciting!
WOW! I have a lot of books to write before I get even close to that number. I’m so thrilled that God has granted this dream for you. Hugs Lenora and Elnora 🙂
Thank you, Cara. You are an amazing writer! I’m happy to know you! One of the perks of this business!!!