Friday, April 1, 2011

Friday Spotlight: Debut Author Meg Moseley

I'm so thrilled to welcome my friend Meg Moseley to the blog.

Meg's debut novel When Sparrows Fall comes out on May 3rd, but is available for pre-order on Amazon.  

Tomorrow, I will be posting an official review of When Sparrows Fall, but starting today, when you leave a comment either on my blog or on Facebook, you'll be entered to win a free copy of Meg's debut novel!

Here's a sneak peak:

Freedom. Safety. Love. Miranda vows to reclaim them--for herself, and for her children.

A widow and mother of six, Miranda Hanford leads a quiet, private life. When the pastor of her close-knit church announces his plans to move the entire congregation to another state, Miranda jumps at the opportunity to dissolve ties with Mason Chandler and his controlling method of ruling his flock. But then Mason threatens to unearth secrets from her past, and Miranda feels trapped, terrified she’ll be unable to protect her children.

College professor Jack Hanford is more than surprised when he gets a call from his estranged sister-in-law’s oldest son, Timothy, informing him that Miranda has taken a serious fall and he has been named legal guardian of her children while she recovers. Quickly charmed by Miranda’s children, Jack brings some much-needed life into the sheltered household. But his constant challenging of the family’s conservative lifestyle makes the recovering mother uneasy and defensive—despite Jack’s unnerving appeal.


As Jack tries to make sense of the mysterious Miranda and the secrets she holds so tightly, Mason’s pressure on her increases. With her emotions stirring and freedom calling, can Miranda find a way to unshackle her family without losing everything?
****************************************************************
And now, I loan Meg the blog spot....






When Christy offered me a chance to share my thoughts about accountability in writing, I decided to mention setting goals and priorities, writing a plan, and sticking with a schedule. Organization and consistency are the friends of accountability, I’d planned to say, but disorganization and a slap-dash approach are its enemies. I’d thought I might explore the definition of the word “accountability,” too. It implies that someone is keeping accounts, “counting” what we do with our time.

Scratch all of the above even if it might be true. I have new respect for the way life and death can hijack the best-laid plans and schedules. I have new appreciation for time as a precious resource. Nobody gets an inexhaustible supply of time.

Half a continent away from where I live, my elderly mother has started in-home hospice care at my sister’s house. I’ve been here for about a week. Hospice nurses and aides come in a few times a week, but most of the work is up to my sister and me, and she already has her hands full with her family. So I’m the one who takes care of Mom during the days, and my sister and I swap the nighttime duties.

My publisher has been very kind about making allowances for my situation, but I’m still working on my obligations—writing, revising, promoting—and my to-do list keeps getting longer. I’ll have only one chance to launch my debut novel, and the release date is closer every day. But my mom’s release from this earth is coming closer every day, too, and my priorities have changed.

I’ll still grab a few minutes here and there to work on a novel or write a short, slap-dash blog post, but it’s more important to bring my mom a drink or adjust her pillows or chat for a bit about what heaven might be like. Then she’ll drift off again, sleeping away a few more minutes of her time on earth.

Today she asked me to sing “Jesus Loves Me” with her. Her voice was cracking with age, and mine was cracking with tears, but we made it all the way through. Good and loud, too, and then we laughed together because we felt so silly.

I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. Not for a best-seller or the best-organized promotion in the history of fiction. Not for a million bucks. If I’m learning anything from this time with my mom, it’s that love should be at the top of my priority list. Always. I think that’s where the best kind of accountability starts.

21 comments:

Christy LaShea said...

Thank you for sharing Meg. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes because I know all too well what you mean.

CindyC said...

I wrote a bit of a response to this today. I also pointed to this post on my facebook this morning. :)

Thanks for letting Meg share here.

Christy LaShea said...

Thank so much Cindy!

Missy Tippens said...

What a beautiful post, Meg. We'll do all we can to help you get the word out about your book. You're right where you should be, and you'll be glad you had that time.

Praying for you.

BTW, Christy. Don't enter me. Meg gave me an advance copy! :) I can't wait until I turn my book in so I can finally read it.

Unknown said...

Not only do I love this book (I too was privileged to be given an advance copy!), but I love the author as well. "Meg", you are so dear to my heart. I sit here with tears streaming down my face after reading your post, knowing that God will use every precious moment of this time to bless you, your mom, your sister, and countless others in the future because none of what He allows is wasted and He will weave this, too, into a blessing through your writing.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story of getting to sing with your mom. I know that will be a precious memory (sounds like it already is!) and it's beautiful to think that the two of you will one day join your voices again in praise of Jesus. You, your mom and your sister have been on my mind a lot in the past few days, and I'm praying for you all.

If there's anything we (I) can do as the release date comes closer, let us know. I already plan on letting my FB and Twitter network know about your book. :)

AngBreidenbach said...

I agree that love must come first. Sometimes I get caught up in my own schedule and begin to feel disconnected to those I love. Deadlines, ideas, marketing all gets swirling so fast. But you point out how important it is to take time for those we love.
Thanks, Meg.
Angie

One More Equals Four said...

Wow, this book looks really good!

Thanks for sharing and thanks for being open about what you are going through, I know it is tough! God bless you!

Deborah said...

I can't wait to ready your book--I know it will be wonderful...not only because of the content, but also because of having shared a bit of the journey with you.

Your blog today brings back such memories of being with my parents as they faded from here to eternity. Sometimes, on days like today, it can seem like just yesterday, rather than 16 years ago. Enjoy & embrace every moment ~ May God bless you & keep you, may He make His face shine upon you & give you peace <3

Unknown said...

Just wanted to say, Meg, as I met and knew you years ago, as you and your dear husband were first married and starting a family...your priorities have always been in the right order! I am so happy for your accomplishments as an author, and I feel for you in your time ushering your mom out of this world and into the next. May God bless and keep you and yours, and give you grace to walk in, one day at a time.
Love,
Theresa

Meg Moseley said...

Okay, now I'm in tears from reading all these sweet comments from friends old and new. Thanks to all of you for sharing this part of the journey with me!

Lindi said...

Meg, now I'm crying! What a beautiful post. I'll always think of you when I hear that song.

Yes, you are right about time and love.
And I love you!

The book is fabulous!)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your heart, Meg. This hits close to home because I recently got news of a friend's diagnosis. He is only 31 years old and is having a biopsy on Monday for an inoperable brain tumor. I can't even imagine. Life is so precious. Cherish those moments with your mom. I'm glad you got an extension on your book.

Jennifer Taylor said...

Meg, It's hard to imagine what you must be going through. My husband's father is now being served by Hospice and his stage 4 lung cancer has spread to his liver. While I'm deep in macro edits on my next book, it's hard not to think about him, and the rest of the family. Priorities do change.

I'm also reminded of how Sandi Rog found out she has an aggressive brain cancer (tumor) on the day her debut novel, The Master's Wall, released last fall. She spent all her marketing time in the hospital taking chemo. She's only in her 30's and the mother of 4 children.

I'm glad you are getting this special time with your mom. They will be treasured moments. Prayers are with you and your family.

Peaches peeks in Cleveland said...

I love you Meg! So excited about your book!

Dianna Shuford said...

Meg,
I'll be praying for you and your family. You've got your priorities in order, which will leave you with no regrets in the future. I had to come to the same conclusion as you have earlier this year, except mine involved knowing my children were growing older and my time with them as mom was getting shorter. I've tried really hard to be there for them more this year. That, of course, cut my writing time back significantly.

May 3rd is my daughter's birthday. A good omen for your debut novel. May your readers be plentiful and your critics be few.

Jackie S. said...

Meg, am praying for you and your family....have been there....so know you need God's strength. I would love to win your book....have been reading about it and wanting to get a copy to read!
Thanks! (a Georgian too)
jackie.smithATdishmailDOtnet

karenk said...

what a beautiful posting...looking forward to reading your fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

This book looks so good. I can't wait to read it. Even though I'm unemployed and finding nothing I'm saving my pennies to get this.
Cathy
cthomas3 at windstream dot net

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Anonymous said...

Thanks for your share! very impressive!

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