Today I’m bragging on my supportive husband/chauffer. Help me celebrate the release of the first book in my Texas rodeo series, Rodeo Dust. Comment on any post dated Oct 10 – 14 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: Oct 15, 11:59 pm central time.
I’ve talked about my supportive husband before. When I first started writing, we thought it was easy to get published. Once we realized it wasn’t, he never threw in the towel–even when it hit his wallet and it didn’t seem like we’d get any of the investment back.
Over the years, my writing has taken me to many locations. But I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to drive unless I know the area well and lots of traffic freaks me out. Luckily, I have a great chauffer. I was thinking of the many places he’s taken me in my pursuit of writing and research. Here’s the list I came up with:
* Little Rock, Arkansas – attended 2 conferences and 4 writers group meetings. (2 1/2 hour round trip)
* Nashville, Tennessee – attended ACFW Conference (12 hour round trip)
* Dallas, Texas – attended 2 ACFW Conferences (12 hour round trip)
* Council Bluffs, Iowa – so I could ride with my critique partner to attend the ACFW Conference in Denver. (19 1/2 hours round trip)
* Springfield, Missouri – spoke at a conference. (8 hour round trip)
* Eureka Springs, Arkansas – attended a conference once and spoke there once. (8 hour round trip)
* Scott, Arkansas – book signing at an outdoor festival. (3 hour round trip)
* Blytheville, Arkansas – book signing. (7 hour round trip)
* Cordova, Tennessee – spoke at a conference. (6 hour round trip)
* Siloam Springs, Arkansas – spoke at a writers workshop. (8 hour round trip)
* Fort Worth, Texas – researched the Fort Worth Stockyards for my Texas rodeo series. (14 hour round trip)
* Jonesboro, Arkansas – attended Book Fair (5 hour round trip)
Besides all that, he’s met my writer friends at numerous drop off points, so I could ride with them to conferences and workshops. I truly couldn’t have honed my skills, gotten published, helped other writers in their pursuit of publication, or written the Texas books without him.
We often make our trips into mini family vacations and we often have a lot of fun. But we’re both directionally challenged and are hard-pressed to read a map. We travel strictly by Mapquest and GPS–it takes both for us. Since technology isn’t perfect, we sometimes get almost to our destination, but not quite. We often end up lost. On top of that, he’s currently a bi-vocational pastor, so he basically has two jobs and is often running on empty. Usually his only reward is exhaustion and a nice steak dinner. But he carts me around anyway.
Because he loves me.
About Shannon: Central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. Her debut novel, White Roses won the 2011 Inspirational Readers Choice Award in the short contemporary category. The 18th Annual Heartsong Awards named Vannatter 3rd Favorite New Author, and White Roses #1 and White Doves #8 in the contemporary category. The Arkansas Democrat Three Rivers Edition voted Vannatter one of 20 to Watch in 2011.
She has taught fiction workshops at The White County Creative Writers Conference in Searcy, AR, Life Press Christian Writers Conference in Memphis, TN, Ozark Creative Writers Conference in Eureka Springs, AR, and Ozark Romance Authors Conference in Springfiled, MO. She also taught a writing class as a continuing adult education course at the Arkansas State University.
The first book in her Texas rodeo series, Rodeo Dust will be available through Heartsong Presents in October. Rodeo Hero and Rodeo Ashes release in 2012. Learn more about Shannon and her books at https://shannontaylorvannatter.com.
Come back Oct 12 for a tour of The Fort Worth Stockyards, where my rodeo series is set.
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Love the Picture of him being in Jail !! And it sounds to me like you are very blessed to have a husband who is so supportive of you no matter what… I am super excited to read your Rodeo Series I loved White Roses, White Dove and White Pearls… I will no matter what buy your books .. I love when I find an author who writes from the heart and who teaches me as well..
Have a blessed week
Julie Lippo
mrslippo@hotmail.com
Shannon, I am so greatful to you and to Brother Grant for everything you two do for us at church and out of church. Not only has he took you to conferences but he’s toted me along with you on a few of those trips. You have helped me with my writing, no matter how hard the criticism is, or how many red marks there is on my paper, I’ve took everything to heart. I’m so very proud of you both and I’m not only lucky to have you as my pastor and his wife but I’m lucky enough to call you both friend. God bless both of you and love you both tons.
Shannon,
You and I are both blessed with husbands that want and strive to help us succeed. You have been a great blessing to me and my writing. May God bless and fulfill you, Grant and your family.
Grant needs his own blog to brag about his lovely and talented wife. I treasure knowing you and “picking your brain”. When I can finally say, “I am published”, your name is going to be on the first page of credits. Please bring a copy of the book to me in the nursing home and I will sign it for you.
Illene
Julie,
He really is a keeper. I loved the picture too. I should have made him hide his arms and his shirt. Your enthusiasm about my books made my day.
Misty,
Very sweet. I’ll have to show your comment to Grant. He hasn’t even seen the post yet. I’m glad you can take my red marks.
Lisa,
Glad you got a good one too. And glad I’ve helped you. I just wish I had more time.
Illene,
Too sweet. But Grant types with one finger anyway. Your comment made me laugh. I don’t think you’ll be in the nursing home.