WELCOME AUTHOR MARTHA ROGERS

WELCOME AUTHOR MARTHA ROGERS
Friday, November 21, 2014 by Patti Shene

Title of book: Love Never Fails

Author: Martha Rogers

Publisher: Realms

Genre: Historical Romance

Series or stand alone: Book 3 of The Homeward Journey Series

Target age: Adult women who enjoy romance (I do have a number of teens who read the books also)

I AM PROUD TO WELCOME MULTI-PUBLISHED AUTHOR MARTHA ROGERS. MARTHA SHARES THE PART GOD HAS PLAYED IN HER INCREDIBLE WRITING JOURNEY.

MARTHA IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY OF LOVE NEVER FAILS. CHECK BELOW TO SEE HOW TO ENTER TO WIN.

Journey with God

Although writing and telling stories have been a passion since I was a child, publication never seemed to be an option. I had no idea how to even begin the process. Teachers in high school English and college professors told me that I had a gift for putting words on paper, but I still had a bit of a problem with mechanics. That problem led me to minor in English along with my Home Economics major. Then my love of writing led to a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis on creative writing and teaching composition.

My first novel was born during my freshman year at Baylor University in the spring of 1954, and I still have the original, yellowed pages and all. Then life intervened with a husband and three sons and a teaching career that spanned thirty-six years. All this time I wrote short stories and jotted down ideas for novels.

Looking back, I can see God’s hand working all through those years of childhood, college, and adulthood when my imagination took flight in stories for my paper dolls and baby dolls and filled a file drawer with poems, short stories, and notes for novels scribbled on yellow tablets. He knew from the beginning where my journey would end, but it would take many, many years for the dream to be fulfilled.

After a wonderful novella with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y’Barbo was published in 2007, I thought my time had come. However, God’s ideas and plan differed from mine, and nothing happened. Hope for anything more than the novella, articles in magazines, and stories in compilations all but dissolved when my seventieth birthday rolled around. Who wants to take a chance on an author in the winter season of life? My agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, encouraged me not to stop, and she continued to submit my proposals.

All that time I asked God if He knew how old I was getting and how late it was. Of course He knew. I simply wasn’t ready. God used the next two years to teach me more about writing and what it took to be offered a contract.

That’s when Debbie Marrie at Strang, now Charisma, came into the picture. The company had decided to step into historical fiction for their Realms fiction line. She liked my story and took a chance on this older than usual writer and on my seventy-third birthday offered a contract for Becoming Lucy. God placed my manuscript on the right desk at the right time to begin the fulfillment of my dream. Since that time, twelve novels and two additional novellas have been published with number thirteen hitting the bookstores this month.

My goal now is to write as much as possible in the time left whether it’s one more year or ten more years. I want to get all the stories in my head out there. With two bouts of cancer behind me, the Lord has a purpose for keeping me around, and I don’t want to miss any opportunity.

Patience has never been a virtue of mine, but God has taught me to wait for His timing, His timing is always perfect. He taught me to persevere even when hopelessness tried to set in. He reminded me that His plans for me were filled with hope. My prayers were heard and answered when God chose the right people and the right time.

After seventy-eight years, a lot of life is under the bridge as well as so many experiences of God’s grace and mercy in my life. Through my stories others can see how great our God is.

So my writing advice for the day is to pray, be patient, and persevere on your journey. If writing and being a published author is God’s plan for your life, He will make it happen.

Leave a comment to be placed in the drawing to win a copy of Love Never Fails between now and Wednesday, December 3rd at midnight MST. Don’t forget to leave your contact email so you can be notified if you win!

Martha Rogers is a free-lance writer and was named Writer of the Year at the Texas Christian Writers Conference in 2009 and writes a weekly devotional for ACFW. Martha and her husband Rex live in Houston where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. A former English and Home Economics teacher, Martha loves to cook and experimenting with recipes and loves scrapbooking when she has time. She has written two series, Winds Across the Prairie and Seasons of the Heart as well as several novellas. Love Stays True and Love Finds Faith, the first of two books in her new series, The Homeward Journey, are available now with book number three being released in the fall of 2014. Connect with Martha at:

www.marthawrogers.com

www.marthasbooks.blogspot.com

www.justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com

Comments

Martha Rogers From Houston At 12/2/2014 2:10:23 PM

Sorry I haven't dropped by sooner. Been a busy week at our house. My story is living proof that God's timing is always right and what is best for us. I hope it inspires everyone to keep at it and not give up on their dream. Galatians 6:9 is the verse I claim for my writing. Blessings to each of you.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 11/30/2014 7:39:17 PM

Hi Alexis. So glad you stopped by! Thank you!

Alexis From U.S.A. At 11/30/2014 7:26:42 PM

Awe, what a beautiful story, Martha! :) I just read it to my grandma and she said ""That's right!"" God bless you! *Jeremiah 29:11*

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 11/26/2014 1:43:35 PM

Hi June. Thank you for stopping by. Martha is also an inspiration to me as I keep struggling to finish my WIPs and wonder if it's too late for this. She is always wonderful about answering emails too!

June Foster From Alabama At 11/26/2014 12:36:55 PM

Martha, 5 years ago when I started writing at age 65, you were such an inspiration to me. Like you, I asked God if I was too old for this. After reading your story, the encouragement spurred me on. At the time, I even e-mailed you and your response blessed me. Thank you. June Foster

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 11/26/2014 10:49:06 AM

Isn't her story amazing? Thanks so much for stopping by, Britney.

Britney Adams From Texas At 11/26/2014 10:38:19 AM

I loved learning more about Martha's writing journey and would be thrilled to win a copy of LOVE NEVER FAILS! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post and giveaway opportunity. texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

Martha Rogers From Houston At 11/24/2014 5:03:05 PM

Thanks everyone for stopping by. I pray my story will encourage you to run the race and finish the course the Lord has set before you with your writing. He's never too late and never too early. His timing is perfect.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 11/24/2014 1:33:43 PM

Thank you for stopping by, Amy. No credit for the interview here. I think Martha's inspiring story just poured straight out of her heart.

Amy C From VA At 11/24/2014 1:27:12 PM

What a wonderful interview with Martha. Thank you for sharing.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 11/23/2014 4:20:14 PM

So true, Janet! We get so impatient to make things happen in our lives that we often forget God has a reason for making us wait. Thank you for stopping by.

Janet K. Brown From Wichita Falls, TX At 11/23/2014 3:16:39 PM

I loved reading your writing journey, Martha. Patience is rough, but as long as we're walking with God, we'll be in the right place at the right time for us. Not that that is easy to remember.