NO AGE BARRIER by LORETTA EIDSON

NO AGE BARRIER by LORETTA EIDSON
Friday, July 5, 2024 by Patti Shene

Featured Book: The Marine’s Deadly Reunion

Author: Loretta Eidson

Publisher: Harlequin/Love Inspired

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Target Age: 18+

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR LORETTA EIDSON TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. LORETTA SHARES HOW SHE LEARNED THAT THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT TO TRYING SOMETHING NEW.

NO AGE BARRIER

Loretta Eidson

“You’re doing what?” My family gasped at my announcement that I was going to travel alone to a place I’d never been where I knew no one. The desire to write inspirational romantic suspense tugged at my heart and nudged me forward.

I worked at my church, cared for my family, and entertained friends in my home. What little down time I had, I challenged myself to learn craft techniques like macrame, crocheting, calligraphy, and sewing. None of which I care to do anymore.

Once I became an empty nester, I sensed the desire to write. Being an introvert, I rarely went to the grocery store by myself. Thus, the reason for my family’s reaction to my decision to attend a writer’s conference alone.

Age was my concern. Being fifty-six years old, would there be a place for me in the writing world? How do I do this website thing? What is a blog and what do you do with it? I had a lot to learn and was nervous about messing something up or appearing ignorant.

Once I arrived at the conference in Colorado, which is quite the distance from my North Mississippi home, my nerves got the best of me. I wanted to hideaway in my hotel room until it was time to pack up and leave. However, after several deep breaths, I left my room to go register and get my conference packet. People trickled in one at a time and began standing around. I looked for ladies who appeared as mortified as myself and invited them to hang out with me. That’s when I made five new friends. I wasn’t alone anymore.

Then, the conference began. Writers gathered in crowds and talked a language I hadn’t considered. I didn’t know the meaning of technical words like point of view, elevator pitch, proposal, prose, etc., so I sank into the background and took notes. I had a lot to learn.

It proved to be a great conference as I relaxed and began enjoying myself. There were people of all ages attending, so I didn’t feel out of place. Everyone was open and friendly and chatted nonstop about their manuscripts. I loved it.

Enrolling in Jerry B. Jenkins's four-years of writing classes was the best thing ever. Of course, by the time I completed the classes, I’d turned sixty. The assignments had me writing articles and submitting them. My first short story found a home in an anthology in which I won second place in their contest and received a monetary reward. I didn’t know there was a contest. You can imagine my elation!

Submitting and receiving rejections was another hurdle I had to jump. Doesn’t everyone like my story? Ugh, no. Overcoming the rejections took a while, until I remembered Jerry Jenkins talking about having tough skin. Rejections will come. We can’t take them personally.

Since then, I’ve attended many writers' conferences and found them to be fun and enlightening. I now enjoy the comradery and making new friends. My new career as a writer has grown.

I’m now sixty-nine years old and an author of three Love Inspired Suspense novels. I’ve won awards and taught a few classes. Who would have thought this now grandmother of twelve and a great-grandmother of four would find a new profession in the publishing arena and find representation by a fabulous agent, Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency? There are no age barriers for writers, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Christian author community.

God, in His magnificence, opened doors I never thought possible.

Book Cover Blurb for The Marine’s Deadly Reunion

To keep a child safe

They must outrun a killer…

When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly puts a target on her own back. Someone murdered Jake’s sister and now they want Jake and Daria dead. To survive, Jake and Daria must discover this ruthless killer’s identity. But can they uncover the truth and keep the baby safe…before the killer finds them?

Award-winning author Loretta Eidson loves writing inspirational romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and enjoys challenging her characters to trust God in all things. Loretta is an AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) Certified Coach and enjoys encouraging aspiring writers.

Her first Love Inspired Suspense novel, Pursued in the Wilderness, released on September 2022 and won AWSA’s 2023 Romance Novel of the Year award. Blue Ridge Mountain Escape and The Marine’s Deadly Reunion released in 2023. Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency represents her.

She enjoys coffee, chai tea lattes, chocolate, and caramel.

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Comments

Cleo Lampos From Oak Lawn, IL At 7/19/2024 11:19:17 AM

Very inspiring bio. What a lot of work you have done to get to where you are. God is good all the time.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Cleo. Thank you for stopping by and sharing words of encouragement and affirmation with Loretta.

Natalya Lakhno From California At 7/8/2024 1:21:06 PM

So true! God can open doors when we least expect it...or even a window ;)

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Natalya. Yes, He sure can! Thank yo so much for stopping by and letting us know you were here.

Becky Van Vleet From Colorado Springs At 7/7/2024 10:30:49 PM

Hi Loretta and Patti! Loretta, your words have inspired me for sure. I entered the writing world at age 66 for the first time. And I can remember feeling overwhelmed with the writing terms, like you did! Thank you for your encouragement. And may God continue to bless your writing endeavors.