Me, after being named RWA 2012 Golden Heart Winner in the Inspirational Category. Thank you Joni for capturing the moment.

I was so stunned when I received the call from Maggi Landry on March 26th letting me know I had finaled in RWA’s Golden Heart Contest.

And I was shocked when they called my name as the winner for the category on July 28th. I already counted myself a winner just for finaling. That was a true validation that all my hard work and writing had not been for nothing. That this dream could come true, but some time in the future–way in the future after this year’s winner was annouced because I had read at least one of those stories that was my competition and knew how great it was. Besides all three of the others had sold and I hadn’t. (But I also hadn’t submitted to an editor yet either.)  There was no way I would win. It was just insane.

Well, insanity must have ruled the night–at least in the inspirational category for the GH.

Everyone was so kind and warm and wonderful. It was like I was among an entire group of winners, because that is how I see each one of my fellow Firebirds. (Taking flight August 20th– www.ghfirebirds.com)

It is an honor to win my category and it is a privilege to call these fine women my sisters. We have forged a bond over the past four months that distance (all the way down to Australia and over to Hungary and India) nor time can erode. We will survive, we will encourage each other, and we will soar higher than anyone thought we could–straight to the bestseller’s lists all over the world.

Thank you everyone for sharing in this amazing dream come true. It was the most magical night of my writing life. I will treasure it always.