by Diane Holmes

How did I start on my writing journey? From a statement my mom made to me at a very early age about my paternal grandma, Bernadine. From that statement I knew exactly what the title of a good story could be, and for many years mentally wrote parts of my potential book. I wanted to share the history of my family and hometown, and the story I found there about my grandma. In retirement, my thoughts returned to a childhood dream of writing, so in 2014, my new year’s resolution was to put pen to paper and fingers to keyboard and start writing.

But where do I to begin? I knew nothing about writing, had no formal training — nothing. I was green as grass, but determined to make this book happen. And I prayed to God to lead me. Please show me the way, I asked Him.

Four words, or more specifically needs, kept coming to me and I put them on paper: PEOPLE’S HELP, PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE and PRAYERS. These would be my guide throughout my writing process.

There must be someone out there, dear God, who can get me started, I thought. I called the library and was amazed at the response. When I arrived that afternoon, the librarian had four books for me and several sheets of Xeroxed material on the do’s and don’ts of novel writing.

A book in my own library, The History of St. Benedict published for the town’s centennial celebration in 1977, proved to be one of the most helpful tools in researching my novel. 

When it comes to writing about personal history, nothing really beats talking with relatives.  Reaching out to my older sister and younger brother, they shared stories they remembered about our family. They helped check dates of births and deaths and had bits and pieces that added interest and detail to my story.

Regarding research, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Internet, a resource beyond anything I could imagine. But the connections I made, and the support and information I received from other people I found most helpful.

My overall writing skills needed work and again with people’s help I found and joined the Iowa Chapter of The Word Weavers International. The critiques received from fellow members, when incorporated, made my story read so much better. Their interest and encouragement gave me determination to keep writing.

I cherished the support and suggestions from my husband, daughters, son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and grandkids. Their ideas and belief in my story kept me writing.

I absorbed as much as I could from my acquired resources, carefully considered all the suggestions and information others gave me, bought a supply of lined yellow tablets and began writing. I hand-wrote nearly everything, then typed my work into the computer. Why didn’t I just go straight to the computer? I tried, but I found it easier if I could sit anyplace, have a tablet handy and write as ideas came to mind. I couldn’t think as well sitting and staring at a screen. My work station had to feel comfortable. With my pen and paper, I established writing spots at the kitchen and dining tables, in my easy chair and at my desk. Often, I woke up with ideas and as soon as I got out of bed, grabbed my pen and tablet and wrote everything down. Then I typed them into the computer.

When I reached a mental block I often turned to God, asking Him to open my mind with new ideas and for help in finding ways to bring more feeling and emotion to my story. I asked for guidance with words that would capture and hold my readers’ interest. I said plenty of prayers.

In a day or two, the light went on in my head. God talked to me, dictated to me. My prayers were answered. I found my way again through Him, and wrote down what I thought He told me . . . and continued with the story.

Writing a novel certainly doesn’t happen overnight. Completing mine required a lot of research, review, time and patience. I worked on it — my novel AND my patience. Sometimes I felt the later was wearing kind of thin.

After nearly two years, I had done what I could, but it still felt like only a skeleton of a book. It needed more meat on its bones. I turned to God again for a guiding light and He showed me the way. I reached out to other writers and editors for help — my circle of support growing all the time. Again, the many wonderful people willing to assist amazed me. Their input, ideas and suggestions enlivened my story even further. I thanked them all, of course, and God for leading me to them . . . or them to me.

I finally felt I had a manuscript ready to become a book. Although persistence played a role in my writing, it was nothing compared to the role it played in publishing.

I looked for an agent, sent query letters and waited for responses. This tried my patience again, as some agents gave encouraging rejection letters, but many said they would get back only if they were interested. I persisted, and for a good part of a year I reached out to various sources, but the responses were rejections. 

I remained excited, though, about my story and the way it turned out. I turned to God again. It’s time to go directly to a publisher was His message to me.

So with PEOPLE’S HELP, PRAYERS, PATIENCE and PERSISTENCE I did what God told me, and in October of 2019 I signed a book deal with a publisher and thus was born Two Sisters’ Secret. The eBook version was released in March 2020, and the print version that May.

They say everyone has at least one good story in them. Don’t be afraid to tell yours. Get out those lined tablets and pens . . . or your keyboard. Maybe you’ll find my four “P’s” helpful in your writing journey.

Diane Holmes is a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and Iowa author who enjoys writing in her retirement. Her first novel, Two Sisters’ Secret, a historical fiction story about the immigration experience in Iowa and based on Grandma Bernadine’s life, was published and released in May of 2020. Diane works now on another story, a memoir, and just recently started blogging.

Diane was born on a farm in Iowa, attended schools in that area then studied at the American Institute American of Business (AIB) in Des Moines, Iowa. After having roots in the ground for many years, she married Lyell, a career Marine Corps Officer who flew helicopters and fighter jets, and made their home in many states, going from duty station to duty station, They raised two daughters and a son, all of whom they are very proud. 

Diane and her husband returned to their roots in Iowa and now live near Des Moines. They enjoy special times with their daughter, son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, five grandsons and two granddaughters – all living throughout the US. They cherished the time they had with their daughter, an angel looking down on them now from heaven.