I have a wonderful guest today! Maria C. Furlough is here to talk about what it was like to see her book, Your Daughter Needs a Hero, for the first time. If you would like to see if up close and personal like, pick up a copy of her book by clicking on the book cover below. Enjoy!
The Great Freak Out
By Maria C. Furlough
It happened.
I walked out to my mailbox, opened it up, and there it was. I calmly opened the package, took out the first proof of the book, and walked it slowly upstairs to my husband.
“How exciting!” you might say. Or maybe excitedly ask, “How does it feel to finally hold your book in your hands?!?”
Honestly? You want my honest answer? It felt terrifying.
As I opened up the pages and began the final round of proofreading, the first thought that popped in my mind was “Uh no!! My book stinks! What was I thinking?!? I should have never thought I could do something like this, I should have never written all this stuff down!!” The irony of this all is actually extremely hilarious. ”Author fights feelings of insecurity about her book on…well…insecurity.” Wow. If that is not a new definition of “crazy” I don’t know what is.
Nonetheless, I decided to try and dig deeper into my bought of self pity and self consciousness. Turns out I needed to remember that this is not about me. It really never fails that the times I suffer the most through self demeaning thoughts and feelings are always the times I am focusing most of my thinking on myself. Thank God that He does not want this life to be about us, I repeat thank you God!
So back to the book for a second…its for her. Even if it is just for one. I know I have said this before and will be repeating this over and over again in my mind I promise you. This will not be easy for me. As I read through the first chapters I was boldly reminded how honest and open I was about my past and my struggles. It hit me like a ton of bricks that someone might actually read it. Also that someone that I know will read it. Also that someone might read it, hate it, and throw it back in my face. Again I repeat…its for her, its for her, its for her, its for her…
(Insert sarcastic and scared tone here for effect) Yay, my book had finally arrived. Yay?
A wise friend of mine sweetly reminded me that every writer goes through the “this books stinks!” phase. I learned that the important part is to push through, always reminding yourself of the reason why you sat down to write it in the first place. God has given you a natural passion for something. A passion that is unique and special to you and the heart you have. Let it pour out! Share it with the people you know in whatever form suites you best. Always remember…if its only helps ONE then it was worth every step of the way.
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Eighteen years ago, an eleven year old girl looked in mirror and for the first time in her innocent life…she realized she hated what she saw. That girl was me. It continued to be me until in my early twenties I realized two things: God had a bigger plan for me than that and part of that plan was for me to help other girls not be like me.As God slowly picked me up out of the pit I was in, I began to look around me and see many of factors that contributed to my poor body image. As a youth leader I watched, studied, and prayed for the young girls God put into my life. I struggled with them as they constantly asked about the caloric content of the cookies I put out or begged me not to take pictures of them. It made me so sad to see so much of myself in them. Then one day, after an interaction with parents, it hit me like a ton of bricks “they don’t know!” Their parents, my parents…they didn’t and don’t realize the depths that insecurity reaches. It was time for action.
After the birth of my first child, Faith I sat down at my computer to write. I wrote and I wrote and I wrote. I actually wrote all the way through the birth of my second child David (it took me quite awhile with two under two at home!!!). What I wrote is simple: parents you need to know…Today my family and I live in North Carolina and we excitedly begin this journey as an author and speaker. My husband Dave is the catalyst behind all that I do. He has encouraged me and enabled me to be on this journey and I am so thankful for his love and his companionship. My daughter Faith, now turning four, inspires me every day to stand firm to the message I believe in. It is for her that I take serious every word I utter about beauty. It is for her I strive to be a woman who models a God given security in prayer that she will not struggle the way that I did. It is for her my life’s mission is now clear. My son David is now two and he is the ball of laughter and energy that keep this home going. His smile, his laugh it is all contagious and I look forward to the man God is molding him to be. Furlough baby # three, Aaron has officially arrived into our lives. Since the day he was born he has been a perfect reminder of God’s grace and love for us. Aaron is our perfect gift.
Authoring is by no means my life, but it sure is something God has excitedly called me to do and I look forward to all that the future has in store! May this book, this blog, this life of mine bless you as we partner to help our girls into a life of true worth.
Feel free to contact me at any time at maria@trueworthministries.org for more information on booking events, signings, prayer needs, or simply to share your story.
Maria’s latest book is Your Daughter Needs a Hero.
You can visit the author’s website at www.trueworthministries.org.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WIN A COPY OF YOUR DAUGHTER NEEDS A HERO! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Would you like to win a copy of Maria Furlough’s ‘Your Daughter Needs a Hero’? Here are the details:
- This contest will officially start June 4 and end on June 28 2012.
- You must be over 18 years to enter.
- You must live in the U.S. or Canada.
- You must fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
- The winner will be drawn at random by Rafflecopter on June 28 and announced on June 29.
- You must contact Dorothy at thewriterslife (at) gmail.com if you are the winner.
- You have 48 hours to claim your winnings.
- If you have not claimed your winnings in 48 hours, we will pick another winner.
- We are not responsible for lost or stolen goods.
- Have fun!
