denise Leora madre

We're still touring, y'all! Having conquered the mysterious, belligerent assault on my stomach earlier this week--let's hope there's no encore performance--I hereby share Marcena Hooks' contribution to the Writing Process Blog Tour. She is excited to participate, and I gladly yield her the floor. Take it away, Marcena!

I am thrilled to be a part of the Writing Process Blog Tour, a dynamic event where I share a bit about my writing process then tag three fellow writers to do the same. Special thanks to the amazingly talented Lissa Bryan who tagged me! ______________________________________________________________

"The Motherhood Diaries 2: Humorous and Heartwarming Musings on Motherhood" is the second volume from nationally bestselling writer and editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley. I am honored and excited to be included among the 25 fabulous women appearing in the anthology! Being published is a dream come true, the main aim of any writer. But to be included in a collection celebrating the most challenging and life-defining aspect of my existence is particularly satisfying. I am not a perfect mom, but I'm a newly published one, and that is pretty darn cool! (Take that, Mom Guilt!) Look for "The Motherhood Diaries 2" this month, just in time for Mother's Day! Here's a little preview to whet your appetite. If you'd like an autographed hard copy, comment below with your email address, and I'll get in touch with you. Here's to Getting a Yes!

A good start, I think. Image Courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net My youngest daughter Braylee receives weekly speech and behavioral therapy in our home. Based on her initial evaluation, her therapists work with her toward certain goals, updating me after each visit. Right now they are encouraging Braylee to speak in longer phrases. Instead of “book, Mommy,” they advocate, “I want the book, Mommy.” The more words she speaks, the better.

My dear friend and all-around amazing woman, ForHisGlory Natural , opens her heart to reveal a poignant, beautiful picture of how God's love can appear during one of the most difficult trials a woman can face. Her honesty is as lovely as she is, and I know you will be blessed by her story. ______________________________________________________________ Life After Death: Finding Treasure in Your Trials In August it’ll be two years since it happened. You often hear birth stories but rarely hear about the pregnancies that never lead to births. I was 29 years old when we lost our second child. I thought I knew what I was doing with my life, felt like I had the "bull by the horns." Everything was planned out, right down to our dogs' names (we had no dogs, by the way - still don't). But these words changed everything... "It looks like you're going to have a miscarriage."

Ten years ago on April 30 th , I was in a different place. Literally. I awoke alone in the twin bed from my teen years, the most important of days peeking over the horizon. After leaving Howard University during junior year on God’s bizarre orders, I’d moved into Mommy’s Chestnut Hill apartment. Those two years forged a unique bond and synergy we still share, but on this morning, I was preparing to put on my big girl panties and get my own place. At age 26, it was time.

My dear friend/Beta/sister-in-another-country/sanity-preserver/brilliant writer  Jess Molly Brown  just shared a poignant post about the power and necessity of embracing rejection. As one intimately acquainted with the story she shares, this particular post is especially dear to me. Plus, there are adorable animal gifs. Enjoy and be encouraged! ______________________________________________________________ To get a novel published, you have to develop a thick skin, something I started to do five years ago when I began posting fan fiction for public consumption. As great as most readers are, there are those who like to flame writers. You have to learn not to let it get you down. In short, you have to be professional in face of personal attacks.