Heidi McCahan's Blog, page 5

Now That’s News Worth Celebrating

 A few years back (five? six?), I was falling asleep one night when a new fictional friend materialized. She seemed so real that I thought she was standing beside her bed. Don’t judge. My vivid imagination has served me well.  This character’s name is Avery and evidently she has a story that needs to be told. And she refused to leave me alone. The first few chapters flew from my fingers like a gift from above. I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters or this wild idea. I knew with everything in me that I had something special here.

Until I shared with my writing friends about my brilliant idea and they looked … confused. Until it got rejected multiple times. Until I tried to finish it and couldn’t. So I abandoned the half-written manuscript, convinced I’d been wrong about my grand plans. Maybe Avery was just a pesky imaginary friend. I moved on. Wrote other manuscripts. Enjoyed celebrating the publication of my Love Inspired romance novels. Avery and her incomplete story languished on my hard drive. 

Several months ago, I asked my current editor at Harlequin if she’d take a look at the first three chapters and my plot summary. I told myself if she didn’t want it, then that would be confirmation that my idea was a dud. Meanwhile, I prayed HARD that if God wanted this story to be told, then I’d need Him to make a way.

Last week I received word from my agent that Harlequin loved my idea, loved my first few chapters and they wanted to publish this story. Avery will finally get her day in the sun.  This will be part of Love Inspired’s new trade paperback line (yes, it will be available in ebook and audio too!) If you’d like to learn more about this new addition to the Love Inspired family, check out the recently published titles here.

This week I had the privilege of seeing my name and the working title of this manuscript mentioned in Publisher’s Marketplace. It’s where publishing houses and agents officially brag about their latest book deals. I’ve reopened the file and started re-reading my current draft. It’s a good thing this one is slated for a 2023 release because I have A LOT of writing to do. Thanks for celebrating with me. I hope my experience and this manuscript’s long journey to publication inspires you to keep chasing that thing you’re longing for too!

In other news, The Bull Rider’s Fresh Start releases in less than a month. I’m super excited to share Kelsey and Landon’s story with you. This book is special to me because it will always be the story I wrote in 2020, during an unusual time in our world, as well as the book I wrote while my father was dying. The art we create during the difficult seasons of our lives gets to hold a tender place in our hearts. You can preview the first chapter here and pre-order your copy today.

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3 Quick Tips to Get Your Summer Reading Underway

Make a Plan

Summer is here! What are you reading? Now’s the time to choose books you’ll love, find the ideal reading spot and connect with bookish friends. It’s no secret that I look forward to making my summer reading plans almost as much as I look forward to planning a vacation. I just read differently in the summer than I do during the rest of the year. The anticipation makes me giddy.

Do you create a summer reading plan? How about an ideal place to enjoy that next book on your to-be-read stack? Now’s the perfect time to intentionally build reading into your day. For help and inspiration, I like to follow Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy fame. She publishes an annual summer reading guide, and this year’s edition is her best yet! I have added a number of intriguing books to my summer reading list that I might not have discovered on my own. During the last several months, I’ve switched from reaching for my phone at breakfast to reaching for a novel instead. It’s transformed my outlook for the day. I read or listen to an audiobook before bed as well.

Find the Bookworms

If you haven’t already connected with others who share your affection for reading, might I suggest finding a group either online or in person? Virtual book clubs and Facebook groups dedicated to specific genres are plentiful. And let’s not forget the Goodreads community, as well as the vast numbers of readers hanging out on Instagram. Anne Bogel has a book club and she just announced that she’s hosting a (virtual) Readers’ Weekend in July. All of the details are available here.

Other places where I find book recommendations and friendly book nerds are: The Sorta Awesome community. This group of delightful folks share an affinity for the Sorta Awesome podcast, but there is also a reading-centric Facebook group, and occasionally the hosts offer book recs within the podcast. Author and podcast host Laura Tremaine started hosting read-a-long’s via Instagram. It’s such a clever idea. If you aren’t already following Laura, you can find her here and here.

Share Your Book Recs

Readers are inherently curious. We’re also overwhelmed by the plethora of choices available when it comes to choosing books. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re looking for until we find it. Goodreads, Bookbub, Facebook groups, Instagram and your local library are all great places to find book recommendations.

Here are a few titles that I’ve recently enjoyed:

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen OakleyThe Tourist Attraction by Sarah MorgenthalerLet It Be Me by Becky WadeGood Apple: Tales of a Southern Evangelical in New York by Elizabeth Passarella

Here are the books I’m looking forward to enjoying soon:

The Soulmate Equation by Christina LaurenThe Seven Day Switch by Kelly HarmsHome to the Harbor by Lee Tobin McClainLife’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

Happy summer, friends! Leave a comment and let me know what you’re reading. I’m always looking for more book recs.

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How to Write Fantastic Sibling Relationships

Have you ever started reading a series of books and fallen head-over-heels in love with a fictional family? I have. So many times. Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Sweet Valley High, The Cullens in Twilight, Susan May Warren’s Christiansen Family series and Becky Wade’s Porter Family series immediately come to mind. I devoured every page of these novels because I just couldn’t get enough of these incredible characters. Although I didn’t set out to write books featuring siblings, I’ve incorporated siblings into almost every book I’ve written. Such a useful and appealing plot device! Readers love brothers and sisters (and often cousins too!) So in honor of National Siblings Day, here are a few quick tips on how to write fantastic sibling relationships.

Stir the Pot

Siblings make fantastic fictional characters. It’s so easy to mirror real-life relationships within the pages of a novel. Brothers and sisters know each other better than anyone else. The secrets, bad habits, greatest achievements, deepest disappointments…our siblings have had front row seats to our formative years. Even the healthiest families with the most wonderful dynamics have these details built into their foundations. This minutiae might only make it onto the stage of your story in brief snippets, but it’s these brief snippets that can be incredibly powerful. I’m thinking dialog and non-verbal communication between characters. Take advantage of this relatable dynamic and create a pot-stirrer. You know what I mean. Every family has the designated person(s) who knows exactly which buttons to push, which spicy takes to share in the middle of the holiday meal…so make sure you have THAT guy or gal in your cast of siblings.

You’re Not the Boss, Applesauce

In our real-life experiences, the order in which we arrive in our families holds tremendous weight. Only children, stay with me here. Your place in this world and relationships with others is driven by the absence of siblings and this can also be used to shape a complex character in any story. Perhaps you’ve heard a younger sibling shout at another older sibling, “You’re not the boss, applesauce!” Perceptions about birth order among oldest, middle and youngest children don’t vanish when we all become adults. In fact, I’d say the web that spins around these layers of our sibling relationships only becomes more intense over time. Dr. Kevin Leman wrote a fantastic book about Birth Order. You can check it out here. It’s incredibly informative and a great resource for understanding your own family of origin as well as the relationships between your children.

As you are writing your first draft and creating this sibling cast, pay attention to birth order. Use dialog, body language and pithy bits of backstory to paint a word picture of these complicated relationships. Think about how an older sibling responds to the prodigal younger child, or how the underachiever bristles at the accomplishments of the overachieving sibling. Emphasizing these pain points is an easy way to build tension into your scenes.

It’s Not a Party Until the ____________ Shows Up

In my humble opinion, every story needs a larger-than-life character who shows up unexpectedly and turns everything upside down. This is a different dynamic than the pot-stirrer. I’ve usually stumbled across this character by accident. He or she will swagger onto the page in a scene that’s supposed to be about the hero or heroine and this dude or lady will do his or her best to steal the spotlight. I guess it’s a product of our subconscious or a quirky author trait that we manufacture characters we can’t possibly control. Even though I can’t explain the secret sauce, I can say for sure that your series will be even more enjoyable for readers if you incorporate a life-of-the-party character.

There you have it. A quick how-to for writing fantastic sibling relationships in your novels. I’m currently drafting a series featuring four sisters who live on an island off the coast of Alaska. My publisher hasn’t offered a contract yet. Hopefully I’ll have news to share soon. Meanwhile, here’s a photo of how I imagine the sisters. This series is something I’ve been mulling for quite awhile, so I truly hope I get to publish it in the future.

Photo credit: Deposit PhotoYour Turn

Who are your favorite siblings featured in pop culture? If you’re a writer, do you have any tips to share for writing fantastic sibling relationships? Leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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The Simple Daily Habits That Make Winter Tolerable

Here’s a peek at my simple daily habits that make winter tolerable. I always say I’m grateful to live in a place with four seasons. Except for the dreary, soggy slog between New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Every year at the midpoint of winter, Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy shares her “What’s Saving My Life Right Now” coping strategies. Anne invites anyone to share their lists, so be sure to check out her post. The comments are packed with great tips and links by the way, so don’t miss those.

Get Cozy

In previous years, I embraced the standard uniform for my work-from-home and carpool mom life: activewear that transitioned from exercising to running errands and waiting in line to pick up the kids. In 2020 and 2021, there’s not a lot of carpooling going on. Most of my writing friends and the folks I socialize with are still working remotely and connecting online. Athleisurewear and comfy clothes are the new normal and I’m here for it. When my father passed away in September of 2020, I decided that embracing the cozy lifestyle would be part of my coping strategy. So wearing comfy clothes and staying as cozy as possible helps me stay productive and work through my big emotions.

Morning Routine

I’m a creature of habit and we have three kids, so a consistent daily schedule has always helped our home run more smoothly. For almost a decade, my days revolved around naptimes and preschool schedules. Now our boys are older, so the rhythm and cadence of our days has shifted. If I’m not careful I can waste a lot of time (Instagram rabbit holes I’m looking at you). Establishing a routine and sticking with it has helped me stay emotionally healthy and achieve my personal and professional goals. When my morning starts with breakfast, coffee (duh), spending a few minutes in God’s word, plus taking a long walk with our dog, then the rest of the day usually goes smoothly.

Intentional Input

There has probably never been a more convenient time to be a human. Technology makes our lives so much easier, and yet, sometimes it’s that very same technology that derails my contentment. If I’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s that I have a choice about what I choose to read. I have options regarding whose voice I allow to flow through my headphones. There are a zillion shows to binge, but I don’t have to watch anything. The world came to a screeching halt last year, but it also got really loud. And often confusing. We have unlimited opportunities to fill our minds and our hearts with content, and right now, I’m choosing both the humorous and the uplifting. I’m listening to the voices that inspire and encourage me to run toward Jesus and turning away from the voices that lie and tell me I can do it all on my own. In the words of Mark Batterson, I’m learning how to be a lion chaser. “Lion chasers don’t run away; lion chasers run to the roar.”

Setting Goals and Planning Ahead

I’m not great at looking backward, unless I’m scrolling through photos or flipping through scrapbooks, but I do love to set goals and plan ahead. Susan May Warren is one of my favorite authors. Recently, she’s developed a writing academy to help novelists nurture and grow their writing careers. As one of her students, I’ve learned the value of setting goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, creating an action plan and tracking my progress. It’s fun and rewarding (and sometimes discouraging because not every goal is achieved) and especially helpful in winter seasons when we can feel discouraged and sidetracked that brighter days feel so far away.

Bring Me all the Puzzles

I guess I’m officially old because the anticipation of building a new puzzle and watching a Hallmark movie is my idea of a wonderful evening. Bonus points if it’s a puzzle with a cozy setting. Here’s one of my recent favorites:

Your turn:

What’s making this season more tolerable for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. And don’t forget to pop over to Anne’s blog. Her post about domestic tasks and the sneak preview of the book Laundry Love is so good.

Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!

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An Unexpected Arrangement is Out Now!

How the book was born…

My third novel with Harlequin Love Inspired, An Unexpected Arrangement, is out now. Readers who enjoy an uplifting story of faith, forgiveness and hope can find this book in stores and online.

It’s fun and exciting to share my art, but also a tiny bit scary because one never knows how a book will be received.

This story was created the way most stories are: I’m a writer who wanted another book contract.

And I really, really wanted to continue my journey as a published author with Harlequin. In 2019, I was struggling to develop a plot with the existing fictional characters I’d already created in my previous novel. While it didn’t feel right to abandon this imaginary tight-knit community of Merritt’s Crossing, I couldn’t figure out who should take center stage next.

Jack and Laramie had been secondary characters and I sensed there was potential for a future novel, but the story just wasn’t coming together.

Plot twist!

Until I received an unexpected piece of good news: a phone call letting me know that I’d been nominated for an award and the winner would be announced at a conference in New York City.

To be honest, I was thrilled about the nomination, but scared to death to go. I tried my best to talk myself out of it. It’s just too “peopley” there. I’d have to travel alone. This was a significant expense and what if it was a huge mistake? What if I didn’t see anyone I knew? Who would I eat meals with?

The struggle is real for us introverts, y’all.

However, my husband encouraged me to go and my family rallied and assured me they could survive without me for a few days. So off I went, to mingle with publishing professionals and some of the finest romance writers in the land.

While I didn’t win the award, I did have a wonderful time and that’s because I took a leap of faith. I met with my editor face-to-face. I shared plenty of meals and delightful conversation with writing pals and made some new friends. In short, I remembered that God had not forgotten me. He’d gifted me with the ability to tell good stories and He wasn’t going to abandon me in this season of waiting for my next plot to develop.

That weekend in Manhattan, the seeds of An Unexpected Arrangement were planted. Over the next several weeks and months, the plot sprouted, while my family and my writing friends encouraged me all the way until I wrote ‘the end’.

Today the journey comes full circle as the book celebrates its birthday.

Much like I was challenged in unexpected ways, Jack and Laramie also encounter a few unexpected plot twists in their lives. I hope you’ll buy this book, read it and embrace the message of hope woven throughout the story.

Click here to buy your copy from your favorite bookseller.

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Win a Signed Copy of An Unexpected Arrangement

Enter the Goodreads Giveaway

Love Inspired is about to release my next novel. I’m so excited to share Jack and Laramie’s story with you! To celebrate, I’m giving away 3 signed copies of An Unexpected Arrangement.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

Changing your life is never simple…

He needed a fresh start,

but twin babies weren’t part of the plan…

Hoping to start over, Jack Tomlinson intends to leave his hometown—until twin babies are dropped on his doorstep. He needs help, and the best nanny he knows is Laramie Chambers. As they bond over the babies, Jack can’t help but feel drawn to Laramie. But proving he’s not just her friend’s irresponsible brother could be a bigger challenge than suddenly becoming a dad…

Want a sneak peek of the first chapter?

Harlequin is featuring a preview of An Unexpected Arrangement on their website. Click here to read the first few pages.

The Goodreads Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and runs until December 8, 2020. Click here to enter.

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When Hope Shows Up

My father passed away a month ago. I had the privilege of being with him and our family for several days in September. Friends brought meals, neighbors called and checked in, and pastors from my family’s local church stopped by to see him. I was present for two of those visits. Both were meaningful for different reasons. One sang praise songs and played his guitar, proclaiming the anthems of our faith, gently reminding us of the hope of Heaven.

Another pastor sat by my father’s bed and listened while Dad shared stories and pictures of his big adventures. This particular pastor has a neurological condition similar to my father’s, and I think Dad wanted to offer encouragement. In his own struggles, as he neared the finish line of his life in this broken world, I believe he wanted to reach back and offer a bit of hope. Before the pastor left, he prayed and I heard him say, “Lord, this day is special because You made it.”

That isn’t a new teaching. Those words from Psalm 118 are shared early and shared often in the faith community. But Pastor put a modern twist on a bedrock principle, and it has stayed with me ever since. Providing hope on difficult days. I keep marveling at how Dad offered hope and encouragement, then Pastor turned around and offered it to each of us.

I often whisper those words early in the morning before I get out of bed, reminding myself that I’m still alive. God has called me to be a wife, a mom, a writer, a human in this particular time and place. This day is a gift. It’s special. Because God made it. 

These words have helped me not only as I grieve my father’s passing, but also as I grieve the unmet expectations of 2020. Our children desperately want to go back to school full-time. They have not stepped inside their schools or classrooms since March. I’ve advocated for them as best as I can, yet those in positions of power continue to make decisions and implement policies that I don’t agree with. While I want to believe that this year will not define our children, sometimes doubt creeps in and I wonder what long-term effects we will see from this prolonged season of isolation. I’m weary. I’m eager for change. More than anything, I’m craving a glimmer of hope.

So I’ve returned to the one strategy I know and trust to be far more effective than any other: prayer. God is sovereign. He’s still on the throne. He’s not limited by questionable public policy, a replicating virus, or an election. He hears our prayers. His Word tells us over and over to trust Him and to not be afraid.

This morning as I walked through our neighborhood and made myself appreciate the beauty of a glorious fall day, I heard a sound I hadn’t in quite awhile. The unmistakable rumble of a school bus.

The bus rolled around the corner and came toward me. It was my son’s driver, practicing her usual route. I stopped and waved at her like a starving woman on a deserted island might hail a search-and-rescue helicopter. She grinned and waved right back. A little glimpse of hope and a future that will eventually involve the routines we associate with a ‘normal’ life. I walked home smiling, thinking of one of my dad’s grandest adventures, which involved converting a school bus into a house and driving from Pennsylvania to Alaska with my mom and my sister when she was an infant. {That’s a long story for another day}.

I also smiled because today is a gift and it’s special. Because God made it.

Because hope showed up and it looked like a school bus. 

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Alaska Day Flash Sale! 3 Books for 3 Bucks.

Let’s Celebrate with a great deal!

“Alaska Day is a legal holiday in the United States, observed October 18th. It’s the anniversary of the formal transfer of the Territory of Alaska from Russia to the United States. This occurred on October 18, 1867. On March 30, 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire for the sum of $7.2 million.[2] It was not until October of that year that the commissioners arrived in Sitka and the formal transfer was arranged. The formal flag-raising took place at Fort Sitka on October 18, 1867. The original ceremony included 250 United States Army troops, who marched to the governor’s house at “Castle Hill”. Here the Russian soldiers lowered the Russian flag and the U.S. flag was raised.”

Source: Wikipedia



The Emerald Cove Series is on sale for a limited time.

I’ve put the Emerald Cove Series on sale to celebrate Alaska Day. Emerald Cove, Alaska is a fictional community I created based loosely on my childhood experiences in Alaska. I enjoyed writing this series and I’m currently plotting a new series in a new fictional Alaskan community, which I will pitch to the editorial team at Harlequin. Stay tuned for more details.

If you’d like to read Love Flies In, it is FREE for a limited time. Click here and download your copy.

Unraveled and Say You Won’t Go are also on sale for a limited time. You can read all three titles for three bucks. The series is also part of Kindle Unlimited, so subscribers can read all three for free anytime. Click here to start reading.

Thank you so much for reading my books and supporting my career. Happy reading!

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10 Things I Learned This Summer

Inspired by Emily P. Freeman, here are 10 things I learned this summer. Some are lighthearted and fun, while others are more serious and require deeper reflection.

1. Time spent outside is good for the soul

We visited the coasts of Washington and Oregon during our family vacation. Although I’ve been many times, the breathtaking coastline and the wide, sandy beaches seemed especially beautiful this year. The kite flying and opportunities to roam free and admire the scenery replenished us. I’m so glad we made the effort and we’ll have memories and photos to treasure for a long time.

2. Kite flying is fun

I haven’t flown a kite since I was a kid. Our kids had never flown a kite. Steve bought a “fancy” one while were on vacation and it brought us a lot of joy.

3. French press coffee for the win

I tried coffee from a French press while we were on vacation. So yummy! It definitely lives up to the hype.

4. Breakfast for dinner is always a good idea

I’m a mediocre cook and an extremely reluctant meal planner, but God gave us three boys who like to eat on a regular basis. Particularly during this stay-at-home season, I’ve found meal planning and providing to be more challenging. Probably because my attitude gets worse by the week. Ha! Anyway, one night Steve and I served bacon egg and cheese biscuits, fruit and pancakes. We rocked!

5. It’s possible to travel safely while the nation is in a full-on freak out

There have been moments this year when it seemed literally everything was canceled. We weren’t sure if the usual events that we anticipate each summer were going to happen. It’s hard to make choices when the information changes quickly and people’s opinions are so dang loud. Ultimately, we decided to fly on airplanes, stay in hotels and rental houses, and order a lot of takeout. This is a wild and crazy time to be alive. I’m thankful our boys are the ages they are because they’ve been extremely flexible and we’ve managed to have some fun in the midst of quarantine monotony.

6. I’m mildly obsessed with lighthouses

Not everyone I live with shares my obsession. We attempted to visit one in Oregon, but it was getting painted and wasn’t really open for visitors. I tried to talk my people into finding another, but they weren’t real enthusiastic. That’s all right. I’ll take this journey alone. Books about lighthouses and lighthouse keepers have suddenly jumped into my to-be-read pile. It’s the strangest thing.

7. Gathering in small groups beats video chats every time

Listen. No one is more surprised by this declaration than me. As a major introvert, you’d think I’d be thrilled that everything IRL is canceled and replaced with a video chat. But you’d be wrong. Although I appreciate that numerous organizations have done the hard work to pivot and make content available online, I’m officially over it. Recently, a couple of friends invited me to hang out in the driveway while our kids played in the cul-de-sac. Heaven on earth! Even the introverts need to leave the cave and step into the light sometimes.

8. I want a she shed

There. I’ve said it. Although it’s in sharp contrast to item number 7 on my list, and completely driven by the fact that my people rarely ever leave the cave without me, I still want one. Apparently zillions of other women agree with me because the options are plentiful and demand is high.

9. I also want to start a podcast

Somebody stop me! I’m saying all kinds of nonsense today. No, this blog hasn’t been hijacked by an extrovert. This stay-at-home season has fueled my podcast addiction and I want to drink the Kool-aid too. Maybe I could record my new podcast from inside my new she shed. Sounds like a win-win to me.

10. Rerouting negative thoughts is an epic battle

The world feels like an angry, chaotic mess these days. Often that anger seeps into my own personal space. Invades my thoughts. An unwelcome visitor crashing my party. Frankly, it’s easier to get caught in the spin cycle and keep reading those news headlines, or scroll through a few more social media posts, or lash out at someone with an acerbic comment of our own. Sadly, all of those behaviors will undoubtedly only pile on more anger and frustration. Friends, I’ve discovered a better way. He’s someone I’ve known for awhile now, but lately He’s become the antidote to everything that steals my joy.

It’s Jesus. A relationship with Him is the remedy for the anger, the hatred, the bitterness, the hopelessness, the heartache…all of it.

Participating in Jennie Allen’s online Bible study and listening to the audio version of her book Get Out of Your Head reminded me that stopping the negativity swirling around us starts with reading the Bible and changing the way we think.

Thanks for reading my list of 10 things I learned this summer. Leave a comment sharing one thing you learned this summer, then follow the hashtag #WWLcommunity on Instagram to connect with others who are also sharing what they learned. Don’t forget to visit Emily P. Freeman’s website to read her inspiring list as well.

Happy fall, y’all.

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Not On My Watch

 One reluctant author’s quest to get loud…

About five years ago, I was falling asleep when a brand new fictional friend appeared in my imagination. She arrived fully formed, with a complicated story to tell and an incessant desire to be heard. Her name is Avery and she felt so real that I was certain she was standing beside my bed.

Like any normal creative person, I attempted to banish her from my room with a polite but firm reminder that I’d get back to her some other day.

And by some other day, I meant never.

Because her story is intense. Frankly, I was scared. I felt inadequate. This creative journey would require deep emotional work. Sharing our art requires vulnerability. It’s a huge risk to plumb the depths of our personal heartache and give the world a window into not only our creative process, but the passion that drives us to write an entire book.

So I procrastinated. I cried. I refused to write this story. Then I found myself at writers’ conferences getting super wound up while telling my friends about this story that I couldn’t possibly write. Every single friend listened politely then calmly told me to get busy writing this novel. One wise friend said that I should write it for no other reason than to “get it out” and onto the page.

I eventually started writing the story, then stopped. Jumped into other projects and had other books published and used my life circumstances (I’m so busy! I have 3 kids!) as valid excuses to avoid finishing this manuscript. I’ve pitched the premise to editors, only to sigh with relief when they didn’t offer a contract. To be honest, a rejection gave me an excuse to keep procrastinating. It’s a tricky business, this writing life. 

Then one day I heard a podcast interview with Scott Harrison, who is the founder and CEO of the non-profit Charity: Water. At the time, Scott was promoting his new book Thirst and describing his journey toward finding his mission, which is bringing clean water to the world. While I am not Scott Harrison, and my path is not at all similar to his, he spoke four words that hit me like a sledgehammer: “Not on my watch.”

He was (and probably still is) so deeply impacted by the stark realization that humans don’t have access to clean water, that he decided to do something about it. ‘Not on my watch’ became his mantra and he has devoted his life to bringing clean water to the world.

I knew in that moment, listening to Scott’s interview, that I couldn’t keep running from Avery, this imaginary friend who refused to leave. This book must be written. More importantly, it needs to be whole. Complete. It’s that easy and that excruciating.

Five years later, I’m still wrestling with Avery’s story. The good news is, I’ve drafted a proposal and given it to my agent and she’s pitched it to my publisher. My current draft is respectable. I still feel called to cross the finish line and type ‘the end’. Lord willing, Avery’s story will find a publishing home soon.

Today is July 30th, a day dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking worldwide. A portion of Avery’s story highlights human trafficking and while I’m embarrassed that this day has rolled around again and I still haven’t finished the manuscript, I am choosing to keep moving forward. To keep honoring the calling to write.

Ending human trafficking is my “not on my watch” passion project. I can’t look away. I can’t pretend that I don’t know this is happening. I can’t ignore the fact that modern day slavery impacts men, women and children every single day. If I believe what the Bible says, and I do, then the Lord has made his expectations clear regarding what he expects of His followers:

 

Definition of human trafficking: 

Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age;

Or the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. A victim need not be physically transported from one location to another for the crime to fall within this definition.

Source: The 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report

I’m not an expert on human trafficking. Admittedly, there is so much to learn and the more I read and absorb, the harder it is to process. The Polaris Project consistently provides crucial data, advocates for vulnerable populations and provides help for victims who are rescued.  I’ve included two slides to help educate and raise awareness so that more people will pay attention. It’s time to get loud and speak up for those who are living in bondage, both in our communities and around the world.

Additional resources:

International Justice Mission
The Blue Heart Campaign 
Salvation Army
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national anti-trafficking hotline serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. The toll-free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year in more than 200 languages. Call 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733

Your Turn:

Have you read any books about human trafficking you’d like to recommend? Watched an incredible, can’t-miss documentary on modern day slavery?

Leave a comment and let me know. I’m always on the lookout for more opportunities to learn and grow.

Blessings!

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