How excited am I to welcome Beth Vogt for Welcome Mat Wednesday? Picture Frosty the Snowman in Antarctica. Yup, that’s me, jumping for joy right alongside him…in a furry parka.
Okay, totally lame analogy. But what’s not lame is the presence of Beth Vogt here at Tag(g)lines. Beth is truly one of those women I look at and think, dude, I want to be like her. I’m pumped for the release of her debut novel next May (more info below). So check out the video intro and join me in welcoming Beth.
The Gift of Burnout
A writer with no desire to write another word.
Four years ago, that was me.
If you’d known me back then you’d have thought: What’s wrong with you?
Believe me, I asked myself the same question. I’d set writing goals and achieved them – and then some.
-Write and submit regularly. Check
-Get published. Check.
-Participate in a quality critique group. Check.
-Land a non-fiction book contract. Check.
And yet one day I announced to my husband, “I’m never writing another word. Never, ever, ever.”
Me: “Writing.”
Rob: “But you said you were never going to write another word. Never, ever, ever.”
Me: “This doesn’t count. I’m writing a novel. Just for fun. No one will ever see this.”
Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. She’s discovered that God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She writes contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us. Beth is also the author of Baby Changes Everything: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35, and she makes her home in Colorado.
Website: bethvogt.com (My blog, In Others’ Words focuses on quotes & also on contemporary fiction.)
Still, kissing the groom’s brother in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. And pulling a “Runaway Bride,” complete with “borrowing” her best friend’s car, doesn’t seem to solve her problems.
Can Allison find her way out of this mess? She prefers to be the one in control, and giving it up is not going to be easy. But to find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her and find the strength to let Him lead.
Thank you, thank you, Beth! I’ve never thought about burnout as a gift…with the possibility of leading me to something new and refreshing. How about you, readers?
Comments 17
Beth, your book looks so good. Exactly the kind of novel I’d read! I’ve loved learning a little more of your writing journey today!
I find I do my best writing from my knees on the ground. When I go low, God soars!
Merry Christmas to you both! Tagg, I’m looking forward to reading your novels, too. In fact, just send me your ms! 🙂 I love your vlog intros. Good, good stuff!!!
Good morning, Jess!
Thanks for the encouragement! I love your comment, “When I go low, God soars!”
Merry Christmas.
I’m so glad ink runs in Beth’s veins–and yours, Tagg. I look forward to plenty of great reads from both of you, plus knowing you both is even better !!!
Dee — You’ve also got the “ink running through your veins” syndrome! We’re all in this writing world together — and for that, I’m thankful!
Jess, if you were serious about sending you my manuscript, I would totally do that! I’m really not loving my latest at the moment, so I’d be all about having a fresh reader!!! And I agree with Beth, I love you comment about God soaring.
Dee, I love knowing you, too! Friends like you make my own writing burnout days never seem quite so bad.
Beth, ever since my first read of your post, I’ve been thinking about it. A few weeks ago, I hit a big low…enough that I think I may have worried my mom. 🙂 Sometimes when I know I’m at burnout stage, I feel this need to dig my heels in and work harder with this dumb thought that if I can just finish whatever it is burning me out, I’ll feel better on the other end. But your post challenged me to think differently in those seasons…to see if maybe there’s a new direction God’s trying to point me. Something new and refreshing he’s got for me. Thank you for your encouraging post…and your encouraging friendship!
Melissa – you are awesome! What a sweet vlog and introduction to Beth!
I love Beth! I’m so happy to be her debut buddy! And I can’t wait to get my hands on her book!!
Melissa,
You know what you said about not wanting to read your story after I read mine? Well, I remember thinking your scene was fantastic — and Susie thought so too!
Here’s hoping (and praying) you clearly see God’s direction for you along the writing road.
Katie,
Thanks for dropping by!
Yep, Katie and I are debut buddies! Her book, Wildflowers from Winter, also debuts in May 2012!! We are planning some duo-debut fun!
Beth, your journey is inspiring!! Thanks for having her, MTAGG.
Rachel 🙂
Thanks, Katie. I’m looking forward to your debut right alongside Beth’s. May 2012 is going to be a gooood reading month! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Rachel!
Thanks for stopping by, Rachel.
You’ve kept me going this past year!
I absolutely cannot wait to read your book, Beth!
Beth,
What an inspiration. As author of two non-fiction books, I’ve been nursing a yearn to try fiction. Your story is an encouragement to give it a try.
Thanks!
I didn’t know all that! Lucille
Thanks bunches for stopping by Teri, Jolene and Lucille!
Jolene,
Come on over to the Dark Side! As my friend Evangline Denmark assured me, they have cookies here — even gluten-free ones!
:O)
And there are wonderful people here too!
And, Lucille, thanks for dropping by and learning more of my story.
Teri, it’s always fun to hear from you!
Great words of wisdom from you Beth, as usual. Thanks for the reminder to ditch the rut and get a new perspective. I can relate to ink-in-the-veins burnout. Thanks Melissa for hosting.