Belief Keeps Author Brenda Novak Writing

Woot! New York Times & USA Today best-selling author Brenda Novak is on the blog today and I'm thrilled. Brenda is a three-time Rita nominee. Her books have won many awards, including the National Reader Choice, the Bookseller’s Best, the Book Buyer’s Best and the Holt Medallion. Yes, awesome achievements, but it gets better.

I met Brenda through her annual online auction for diabetes research. Her youngest son has the disease and she's determined to be part of the solution.  The auction runs every May at www.brendanovak.com. To date, she’s raised over $1.3 million.

Brenda has taught me you can achieve your dreams through hard work and perseverance, and one person can help make the world a better place. I'm honored to present Brenda Novak, a truly inspiring writer and person:





Whenever someone asks me what inspires me, I have to say belief (or some might call this faith). If you truly believe in yourself and your talent, you will be motivated to actually sit down and write the book instead of only dreaming about it. You will be driven to seek out any help you may need (research or craft-related) to make it the best you can create. You will follow through with marketing ideas, and you won’t give up if you don’t reach your goals immediately. Belief drives the entire engine—even through the rough spots. It battles discouragement, which is, according to Webster, “to deprive of courage or confidence.”


How many army commanders would win a war, or how many coaches would win a game, if they deprived their army/team of courage and confidence? Now think about the fact that, as a writer, you are a commander of one. How do you treat yourself? Do you allow yourself to be deprived of courage and confidence?


There is a tombstone in Britain that says: “In moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to. Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind—in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved. No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles. When they are lighted, darkness goes away—and a touch of wonder remains.” In order to be successful in this business, we must hang on to some of that wonder. We can't light a candle in someone else if there is no fire in us.

***

Brenda has a brand new small-town contemporary series starting in 2012. Come meet the long-time friends who have made Whiskey Creek the “Heart of Gold Country,” with WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES, to be released in September. Also, don’t miss her latest romantic suspense trilogy available now--INSIDE, IN SECONDS, & IN CLOSE.



After writing contemporary romance and romantic suspense for 12 years (about 40 books), she's returned to her first love -- historical romance. Her most recent historical release is The Bastard. Check out the scrumptious cover!



To learn more about Brenda check out her website.
So how do you keep the doubt-monster at bay?

25 comments:

  1. Must have had some red pepper flakes in my coffee today because I'm tearing up. I'm sure it had nothing to do with this: “In moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to. Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind—in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved. No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles. When they are lighted, darkness goes away—and a touch of wonder remains.”

    ReplyDelete
  2. It really puts things in perspective to remember the little things, and how blessed we are each day, doesn't it? I love that quote. I think it's particularly fitting this time of year. Not every one has a lot of money for presents, but we all have things to be grateful for.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mina, thank you so much for hosting an author we all love and is so very generous to many.

    Brenda, I too believe faith and gratitude inspire the strength within and courage is built from that. Courage does conquer defeat and as mentioned in that precious quote...a candle. It only takes one candle to illuminate the darkness.

    Goodness...you are much loved my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a very nice note. Thank you, Karen. You're a generous soul! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for visiting y'all! It's an honor to have Brenda as a guest :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rashda, thank you so much for all the support you've given my diabetes auction. Can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Brenda! I'm looking forward to reading your historical.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Brenda,
    What an amazing post and so much to think ahead to in 2012. Not only are you gifted and talented with words you have the ability to follow through on what you say... lighting the candle... Thanks for lighting us all with your inspiration and continuing to battle the causes you believe in and fight for.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Always inspiring, Brenda. :) I like to print out the positive comments from my rejections and post them around my writing space...makes me feel like I'm getting closer. Thanks for the words of wisdom! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful quote, Brenda and on a tombstone no less. Do you know how old the tombstone is?
    The doubt monster is getting smaller in my world. I've worked on craft, read affirmations and pray. I feel sharing my stories is what I'm meant to do. With such wonderful mentors like you writing these blogs, it becomes easier.
    Thanks also for the wonderful work your doing funding Diabetes Research. My blog sister at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales is a diabetic and your cause is very dear to us.

    Sia Huff

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the line "Belief drives the entire engine". Great post.

    Maria Powers

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for giving it a try, Stephanie! :-) Hope you enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for visiting y'all! My mom-in-law has diabetes and so yes Brenda's cause is close to my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a nice comment, Anju. Thank you! I hope I really can follow through with all I hope to do before I die. Seeing a cure for diabetes would make my life complete. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great idea, Anna! Those positive things are so valuable. They keep us going through the tough times. Hang in there--you'll make it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks, Maria. My kids tease me because I talk in analogies. They've taken to evaluating them, and letting me know when I create a bad one. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sia, you are with some great folks over there at the Hot Tamales. You have been a fabulous support to the auction. Thank you!

    I'm so glad you're vanquishing that doubt monster because he'll get you if he can. Keep the faith! I know you'll achieve your dreams!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have the great privilege of counting Brenda as a friend. I met her on my first Sacramento Valley Rose RW meeting, which was way back in about 2000. Yes, her name is big, but I've never known her to ignore any of my questions, e-mails or pooh-pooh anytime I need encouragement. She truly works hard at her craft and has done wonders for Juvenile Diabetes. She is tireless or else she makes it sound so darned easy, although I know she has fought demons to get where she is. I tease about her and Allison Brennan, another friend. The trick is to have five children and a whole lot of talent. Thank you for a wonderful interview.

    Ginny

    ReplyDelete
  19. Waving Brenda. What a lovely post. You are most definitely an inspiration to me. Being part of your auction is a special part of my life and I am so proud of what has been accomplished to turn the tide against childhood diabetes.

    I have your "The Bastard" on my Kindle and cannot wait to read it. You know your historicals are favorites of mine and I don't doubt a moment this one will be a delight to read.

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Mina and Brenda~

    Brenda~
    Wonderful, inspiring interview! :)

    Mina~
    Thanx for hosting Brenda today!

    ~Jane~

    ReplyDelete
  21. A wonderful and inspiring post from a beautiful person. I've been lucky to meet Brenda on many occasions and she is just absolutely delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ginny, you have always been one of the nicest people in the world. Thank you for your encouragement and support. You have always put the wind at the backs of all your friends. XO

    ReplyDelete
  23. Paisley, you are another wonderful person. Thank you for commenting and doing so much to support my efforts in every regard. I hope your good karma comes back to you ten-fold. Have a very happy holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jane, thanks for joining us. I'm so glad you found something valuable in our post.

    ReplyDelete
  25. OMG! Another one of my idols! Caridad, thank you for your comment. I hope to see you in L.A. this summer!

    ReplyDelete