I’m happy to have my friend Lynn Watson here today to share her writing journey!
Welcome, Lynn!
Where Does an Author’s Journey Begin?
Sunday School lesson folders from my childhood featured a colorful picture on the front depicting the Bible story for the week. The story and activities filled the inside and back of the single fold sheet. From the time I was three years old, Mom collected them each week. Two or three times each year she and I bound them into booklets. We repurposed (before that was a word) used gift boxes into covers, and bound them with colorful yarn ties. The sides of the box bent into perfect hinges for the cover. Early inspiration for creating books of my own.
I imagined riding a magic carpet through the skies, collecting stories to write. I dreamed a few that escaped by morning. I allowed myself to wander through my tumultuous childhood hoping to remember a few early and valiant attempts to put them on paper.
Most were lost forever, but the very first piece published with my byline appeared in The Milford Herald News in March of 1959. I was seven years old. While on a declutter junket a few months back, the clipping surfaced in a Brownie Scrapbook I kept all these years.
Cheers to the internet! I located and spoke with the current editor. She knew everyone in the article, and other mutual friends, acquaintances and teachers. In this small Illinois town of 1200 people, the newspaper has been in continuous publication for 126 years. A pretty cool legacy for a beginning writer. 
This was Spring of 2nd Grade. We moved away before the school year ended. Someone new was assigned to write these bits about our troop.
Here’s one of the pictures we took. That’s me just below the bright green arrow.
I wrote stories and poems and bound them into booklets like my mother taught me with the Sunday School flyers. Eighteen different schools (K-12) and even more family moves later, they are long gone.
The ever-obscure dream remained, but I never believed a book would be published with my name on the cover. God had other plans.
The 3-volume Cinnamah-Brosia Coffee Cottage Inspirational Collection for Women wiggled its way out of my passion for essential oils and the discoveries I made of their Biblical connections. A push from Johnnie Alexander to attend a local writers’ conference when I felt I had nothing to bring to the table, and encouragement from Harriet Michael during that conference bolstered my confidence to bring the dream into print.
Devotions and activities in The Essence of Joy: Filling Your Heart with the Aromas of Jesus Nativity provide thoughtful meditations and fun activities for the approaching Advent season.
The scents of Christmas invite our imaginations into the holiday season. What emotions flood your heart when the holiday aromas waft your way?
Did you know:
•Many favorite holiday scents like cinnamon, citrus, and cedarwood are found in the Bible?
•There is a rich heart connection attached to many of the plant essences found in Scripture?
•Myrrh is such an important essence, we can follow its trail from Genesis to Revelation with many significant stops along the way?
•Women of the Bible have personal encounters with God bringing aromas of His love and joy into their lives?
•Palm branches are an important part of Biblical celebrations beginning in Genesis and ending in the ultimate beach party around the Crystal Sea? (Christmas at the beach, anyone?)
In The Essence of Joy you’ll meet women of the Bible and contemporary women like you and me who will encourage you to discover the refreshing essence of a life lived in the presence of Jesus. Let JOY fill your heart with the aromas of His nativity.
Digital Special: $1.99 (Regular $4.99)*
Print Special: $9.99 (Regular $14.99)*
*Special prices good October 17-23, 2019 on Amazon.
My books are also available for Nook and other readers; available as an iBook; and paperback available through most book sellers.
Remembering Christmas, a collection of Christmas moments and memories compiled and edited by Yvonne Lehman releases for this 
Christmas season. What a privilege to have two stories included in this collection. Profits from the sale of the anthology benefit Samaritan’s Purse.
Purchase here: https://www.amzn.com/dp/1604950595
What author doesn’t have a work-in-progress? I’ve made a bold move (for me), attempting a novel. The historical fiction story is inspired by real events in my great-grandmother’s life. I’m currently unable to share the title or the blurb. Excited to share more in the near future.
About Lynn:
Lynn Watson combines many years’ experience in women’s ministry, love of essential oils, and her passion for God’s word to bring her readers freshly inspired encouragement for their walk with Jesus. Her devotional, The Essence of Courage, was recognized as a ‘must read’ by regional publishing industry leaders. Married since 1973, Lynn and Steve have filled their Bartlett, Tennessee home with handmade treasures and lots of love for family, especially their five beautiful (of course) grandchildren. Aromas of freshly baked bread often fill Lynn’s kitchen. Jasmine, her tuxedo kitty, regularly contributes her thoughts on Lynn’s writing.
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