Jun
05
Bits and pieces (left some out so this post wouldn’t run on for ages) of my e-mail convos with Sunny in the next few weeks/months: (sorry about the wacko formatting)
January 26, 2005
Hello, friend Sunny! Wow. Thank you so much for your kind words about my book. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was when I got your e-mail. Wow. I will definitely get you the rest of the manuscript ASAP…
I would like a few days to tweak some chapters and to make sure it’s the best it can be. Would that be okay? My grandpa died on Monday night, and we are currently in the middle of viewing and funeral arrangements, so I wouldn’t be able to get started on it until Monday. Could you give me a date that you would like everything sent to you by? Thank you so, so much. Again, wow.
Very, very warmly, Marla Taviano
January 26, 2005
Marla…. not the grandpa with the farm. I feel like I know your family a little bit now, after reading your wonderful stories about them. Please, take as much time as you need. As one writer to another, I completely understand about the need to tweak.
Take care, girl. You are appreciated!
Sunny
January 26, 2005
Yes, the grandpa with the farm. When I read that first sentence in your e-mail, my heart stopped. “How does she know my grandpa?” I thought. And then I kept reading. And then I started bawling. That means so much that you feel like you know my family after reading that chapter. I was asked to speak at the funeral, and I prayed that God would show me what to say. I know now. I’m going to use the excerpt from my book about the Yoder Family Softball game and “tweak” it just a little to make Grandpa the star of the story.
February 16th is perfect. Thank you for the extra time. I’m really thankful for you, Sunny. Whatever happens with my book, God has already used you to encourage my heart.
Thank you. Marla
January 26, 2005 (Sunny shared a personal story with me–I’ve copied the ending here)
Then, just a couple of weeks later, she was gone. I couldn’t believe it. All I had left of her was a hand-made Christmas card, and four years of bitter-sweet memories. I haven’t written a word of my book since. Until now. You’ve inspired me. How can God use a terrible thing to touch people for the good if we won’t do our part to share those things with courage. It’s the true-life experiences that dig the deepest inside people to bring healing and hope.
I am still in shock over the fact that Harvest House publishers may want to publish my book. Your affirming comments are just beyond anything I could imagine… It doesn’t seem real. And I feel so humbled. Why would God give me this kind of talent? I don’t deserve it. Well, hello. Isn’t that the point of God being God and us being us? Undeserved riches.
I will pray for you as you work on your book. What an awesome opportunity–and responsibility–to share what God has brought you through. And you think I’m gutsy.
Gratefully and humbly His,
Marla
ANYWAY, so you’re sure it’s a good thing that he passed the book off? Did he look at it at all first or immediately know it wasn’t his area of expertise? Do you really think it has a chance? Oops, I wasn’t going to pester you! I need to just stop thinking about it. You said such wonderful things about it, but some days I just can’t believe that someone would want to publish it. Time to trust God’s will.
Thanks for being there for me in all this! I appreciate you writing today!
Waiting with a Smile,
Marla
Just so you know, It is very difficult to get a proposal/manuscript to PubCo–but yours is on its way. They meet tomorrow, then each member takes the material and reads it in the coming week. Then, the next time they meet they discuss it. You should be very proud that your book merits going to PubCo. Whether they decide it is a fit for Harvest House or not, you done good, girl! Now, bask in the glow and don’t email me for another two weeks. 
I know you’ll pray–thank you!Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Marla, I was just searching for your contact info when I came across this posting of our email trail… NICE! I knew I found a diamond in you. Easy find when knee deep in the slush pile of unsolicted submissions.
Drop me an email when you can. I’d love to catch up with you.
KS
Wow….it’s so neat to see how God has worked in your life. It’s an encouragement that He will work in mine, too. Thanks for sharing!
You’re an amazing example of how (I believe) God loves to work through us. I would love to meet you one day!
Wow.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Amanda–I have about 1700 copies of it in my closet/garage if you’d like one.
So awesome. That’s the one book I haven’t read of yours and now I think I need to read it!
Wow… that as an awesome story. Thanks for sharing and encouraging us!
Wow
Now why’d ya have to go and make me cry before lunchtime? Darn-it – You always do that.
Love you.
What an example of how God works through our struggles. Thank you for sharing, this was encouraging to me. I have had two early miscarriages and am currently 6 weeks along in our third attempt. I can definitely relate to the craziness of waiting and wondering about the outcome. It is tough! But God is faithful!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
WOW! Tears in my eyes just reading what your mom wrote….. So so neat to see how God worked to make one of your dreams come true, even in the midst of loss and heartache.
Love you too, Mama!
I’m bawling my head off right now! Surprise! I was reading this to dad, and could barely get through it! There just aren’t words to express all that I’m feeling right now, and all the memories this brings back to me, so I won’t even try.:) Let me just say that God has answered my prayers for you beyond my highest dreams! I love you, Marla!