MY SPECIAL FRIEND

 

One of the best things an author can have is a support team for their writing. I was fortunate enough to have a group of girlfriends on a prayer team I called Mag’s Peeps—seven of them. A few of them are from my writing group previously that I’d led in my home. They'd agreed to pray for my current novels and personal battles. I could relate many encouraging emails and phone calls from all of them, but for this post I want to tell you how one girlfriend in particular  who ministered to me in a most thoughtful and unusual way one summer.

Karen Casey is an award-winning wedding consultant, and loves to give people hope and something worth celebrating by creating a special “moment” in their lives. Once, she whisked me off to her gorgeous mountain home, despite my protest, where I could concentrate on completing my novel. Her deck had a fabulous view overlooking the valley and the North Georgia Mountains surrounded by total peace and quiet.

 KAREN CASEY

I desperately needed this time away to work uninterrupted. Karen plied me with lunches and delicious suppers she’d prepared. Her guest room was anyone’s dream—white fluffy pillows, comforter, with touches of white and lime green decorations sprinkled about the bedroom and my own bathroom. To my delight, my own private sitting room was attached with the spectacular view of the mountains. I felt restful, refreshed and pampered by this tiny woman who never, ever raises her soft southern drawl but who's voice can tame even the wildest of beasts. With her sheltering me, I was able to get a lot of word count done and write without distractions.

Some of the type of photos she'd send me.

 

She even got the  bridesmaids at one of her weddings to pose for my word count!

 

When another deadline looming and other major stressors, Mag’s Peeps started praying to that end. I was also preparing a proposal for a new series at the same time to my editor. Karen went a little further than most. One day my doorbell rang and she handed me a pretty glass jar decorated with an elephant filled with Hershey’s Kisses—a favorite of mine! One kiss for every 500 words until I reached my goal of 50,000 words to complete my novel, along with a card that read, “How do you eat and elephant? One kiss at a time!” Her kindness brought me to tears. She left as quickly as she’d arrived so she wouldn’t interfere with my work. Sometimes I was working so hard and the words flowing that I forgot to “eat the elephant” and she would send me a gentle reminder to reward myself.

 

Another day, she brought me a beautiful bouquet of summer hydrangeas from her garden. Karen continued throughout my deadline to send me photos that depicted 50,000 words written across them, using her friends or an object or bridesmaids that were in a wedding, encouraging phone calls, and once a brief outing for lunch to maintain my sanity until I completed my novel, Perfectly Matched, which released 2013. Karen truly went out of her way to lift me up, pray for me and encourage me during her own busy schedule but that is just who she is--always looking to spread God's love to others, and impart peace and comfort--it's her gift! There's so much more that I could tell you about her but suffice to say, I'll be eternally grateful to her. God bless you Karen and all of Mag’s Peeps!

What about you? Have you had a special day or time that holds a wonderful memory you had with your girlfriend? I'd love to hear about it. Post me a comment.

By the way all my books are current only sale and No Place for a Lady is still free on Amazon, CBD, and Barnes and Noble . Snag your free e-book today!

Maggie