#WriterRevelations Reflection: Just Call Me The Comeback Kid (Six years after my near-death experience)

So, you all know that I usually share blog posts on Wednesdays but today I am celebrating six years of being alive.

For those new to my blog or my platform, I know you need a little backstory to get what I mean.

Six years ago, today I was released from the hospital after a long battle with thyroid issues that ended in a near-death experience:

• August 11, 2012 (One week after turning 21) I was taken to the hospital because I couldn't breathe. It actually felt like there was an elephant on my chest.
• August 12-14, 2012 The doctor who caused the thyroid storm covered up her medical negligence by having them diagnose me with bird flu and putting me on some of the harshest antibiotics out there all while still struggling to breath (I was actually on 15 liters of oxygen and still barely absorbing oxygen).
• August 15, 2012 I went under the knife for a triple lung biopsy surgery that also resulted them in them leaving a drainage tube in my side to drain the fluid that had collected in my lungs.
• August 16, 2012-August 19, 2012 I was in recovery and had to have someone rebandage the stitches in my back once a day. I was finally beginning to return to normal twenty one year old health despite the fact that my thyroid was still sick.
• August 20,2012 I received clearance from all my doctors that I could be released from the hospital but had to be on bed rest for two weeks before returning to school.

When I think back to this ordeal, I am amazed that I lived. Some really hard days have me wondering why I was saved in the hospital, or what purpose God had in all of it.

So before I get to the climatic conclusion, let me share some truths that God has revealed to me lately.

1. It's OKAY to have an off day if you realize that a BAD DAY DOESN'T EQUAL A BAD LIFE.

2. It's OKAY to give yourself more GRACE.

3. It's OKAY to NOT GET IT ALL ACHIEVED BY A CERTAIN DATE OR AGE.

4. It's OKAY to LET SOMEONE GO if you are the only one putting in all the effort.

5. It's OKAY to BE UNFILTERED.

6. It's OKAY to ask for help.

7. It's OKAY to be different, weird, outlandish, original, YOU-niquely yourself & not apologize.

8. It's OKAY to cast your cares on the one who paid the ultimate price for YOU, and who CARES WHAT HAPPENS to you.

9. It's OKAY to choose forgiveness when someone unnecessarily insults or belittles you. 

10. It's OKAY to not always understand or have it all together or even know how it will all work out but trusting the creator and author of life, believing ALL THINGS will work out for the BEST. 

Maybe this was the entire reason I am still here with a heart that beats, breath in my lungs, and a tough fighter spirit, maybe God wanted YOU to see this.

If so, I invite you to read an excerpt from my forthcoming memoir One Last Breath which is available for download here. 

Until next time, remember: 

In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

#WriterWednesday: The Great Agent Conundrum (I hope I spelt that right)

Every writer knows the story. You finally finish your manuscript and believe it's ready to be shopped. You polish up the most succinct and clean-cut query letter you can put together that shouts "THIS BOOK IS GOING TO SELL MILLIONS OF COPIES!" without sounding like one of the old school newsboys trying to sell papers back in the 1930s yelling, Extra, Extra! Read all about it.

You still hope they don't catch the blood, sweat, and tears poured in between the lines of that letter. 

You hope that someone, anyone with the right credentials asks to see more from you whether that be a proposal, or for fiction, sample chapters. Your heart stops beating for a millisecond when you get that rare shooting star of a manuscript request. 

Yet, you feel like someone is preparing to bury you alive when you get a response to that manuscript that says, "Sorry, not what I am looking for. Best of luck elsewhere!"

I wish I could say that this hasn't happened to me but it has. My memoir is one of the most heartfelt books I've ever written. I was open and honest. And I poured everything I had into it for three and half years during the writing process. 

Recently, I finally got the chance to send an agent from a rather high-end agency and I was totally thrilled.

I actually started imagining the way my coworkers would treat me when they found out I was going on an international book tour.

Some of them would rush up and ask for an autograph.

Others would still wear the same friendly face.

Then, I got rejected on a Thursday night when I was already having a terrible shift. 

I was on break when I opened the email inside the Wal-mart bathroom stall and I just burst out crying. 

Then, I realized I had to go back out there and still ring up customers and so I put on my best customer service face after sharing my heart on Facebook, and got through my shift. 

Then, I went to Applebee's with my mom for half-price apps and drinks.

That night, I pretended I was fine but the following days, inwardly I felt like I wanted to just sit in a corner rocking and crying, and sucking my thumb.

Until I remembered WHOSE I AM. 

It seems to me like there is nothing wrong with my memoir or my query letter (even though I'm now sending out a letter that reads less like microwave cooking instructions and has more of my voice throughout).

After the three and half years of writing it, I had a writer friend (#BetaReaderLove) edit it chapter by chapter for context. Anything that read like a bottle of seltzer gone flat was taken apart or discarded. 

Following this, I had a highly linguistic genius/wordsmith beta read it and she raved over it despite the fact that her expertise is in fiction.

Plus, I feel that besides my mom, she also got the power hidden throughout it. Which means that I can't give up on it's journey toward full and complete manifestation and successful destination. 

I believe my memoir may not be getting representation for the following reasons: 

• The memoir talks about JESUS a lot because he is my SAVIOR and not just a religious relic to me. He saved my life twice (literally) and without him, I wouldn't be able to breathe like a normal person so excuse me for being OUTSPOKEN about how much I love and owe to JESUS but I think I will not be removing him from my memoir anytime soon. Matter of fact, I wholeheartedly believe the memoir will end up being published by a big-time Christian publishing house like Revell or Thomas Nelson.
• The memoir documents my life story from birth to current day but contains three and a half years of research on medical jargon and all types of factual information about different illnesses I suffered from such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, depression. 
• The memoir has a major theme of loving someone so much you are willing to die for them. This is why I settled on the title ONE LAST BREATH. It not only encapulates nearly dying but serves as a double metaphor for the love I had for someone who would rather watch me die than ever love me back, and a metaphor for my life of struggles and how I've always fought so hard for what I wanted in life even if it would cost me my last breath.
• The memoir contains song lyrics from songs I thought fit in certain chapters and because I was listening to those songs throughout the writing process. It also contains poetry I wrote during those exact moments discussed in the book and I already know that most publishers aren't looking to publish poetry. (I don't know why because poetry is seriously equally as therapeutic to write as it is to read). 

Reasons I believe the memoir will be a strong piece of American literature

• It's unlike any other memoir out there. (Part of my research was that I started the preliminary stages by reading other great memoirs. Along the way, I realized how much I love the genre. Speaking of which, I am beyond stoked that someone allowed the avenue for Amy Schumer to publish a memoir because that woman is AMAZEBALLS and hella funny!)
• I have a degree in marketing so I think I have a solid plan for how to get it to sell once it is published. Publicist, nah I don't need one. I'm already trained in how to be my own.
• With the network I've developed from the Smart Cookie, I could totally find (real genuine) people who would be willing to say something nice to go in the front of the book. And also a few book blogs that could write a review and promote it to their network.
• It was written with the help and great and mighty hand of God. My story is only as bright as the person shining his everlasting light and great favor on my life. He gave me the words to minister to people. I am just the messenger. After all, with God all things are possible!

All in all, I'm still going to shop it around no matter how long it takes to get it representation because I believe that the right set of eyes and the right heart will see it's potential and just like fire, I will light up the world for more than just one day. After all, no one can be just like me anyway.

All I ask of all of you is that you pray daily for me and my memoir, and if anyone is interested in beta reading it, please email me at wittywriterpoet26@yahoo.com.

Before I leave you with a final thought, don't forget to read the first five chapters of Kickflip My Heart in the upper right hand corner.

Until next time,

Remember the strength that Colossians 1:12 talks about: As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea 

xoxo

God Bless

~Just Keep Swimming~

#WriterWednesday: A Writer With A Story

Huge news! I got an email on Sunday night from an editor I submitted to in #P2P16 and I was baffled and felt a bit attacked. Instead of giving me feedback for my upcoming memoir, One Last Breath. 

She claimed that based on my query she didn't find my memoir appealing because she is neither spiritual or religious (which is totally fine). There was no feedback about how my query could have been re-written. I was left with a sour taste in my mouth because I wanted so bad to write her an email back and say that isn't even what my memoir addresses. Yes, Jesus is the hero of my memoir. He's also the hero of my life but a memoir is meant to be someone's perspective told through a creative narrative. It doesn't mean because I see the world the way I do (through faith) that I'm right and everyone else is wrong. This is just my story that yes, mentions Jesus because he saved me but my memoir uses the story of my near-death experience and the key years I remember facing an illness to paint a picture of me loving the main male character and my first heartbreak, and me trying to make sense of it all.

I thought all hope was lost and actually considered giving up on my memoir completely, let alone a career in writing.

Then, Monday night I got the email that nearly made my head spin almost literally

Then, I went to the site and seen my name listed among the other 24 writers. And the great thing isn't that I was picked. Yes, that's an honor. The great thing is that someone finally gave me the feedback I was hoping for. Someone who believed that my project has promise. Someone who believes my story can change the world.

So please vote for me. You only get one vote. Then, please share the link with anyone who you know who would also vote for me or any starving artists you know who want to support a fellow artist with a heart for others and a huge dream to make a difference.

It would mean the world if I win this contest because then I get an hour consultation with the book doctors and I can make my book the best-seller I know it is but even if I don't win, I'm so honored and grateful that someone picked me and I did get some feedback I can work with.

Please vote for me. I'm not running for president but I do have one hell of a story for you all.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~