I posted a book critique on Facebook this week. It was the judge’s comments to my Writer’s Digest contest entry for Keep Walking, Your Heart Will Catch Up. I’ll share those comments with you below. I’m feeling pretty proud of it, and I guess I’m doing a bit of bragging. But also, I’m encouraged to learn how to improve, because they also suggested what could have made the book more appealing to readers:

“The book is a bit on the short side. I wanted to hear more about the Camino—more descriptions of place and the people along the way. I suppose it’s always nice to leave the reader wanting more, but I think in this case a little more elaboration would not hurt.”

Interesting. It’s the same thing Ray always tells me: “Write a thick book, a full story.” Okay. So there is a project on my mind now—a story that will take a lot of writing, a lot of chapters, and a lot of emotional angst to fully unpack. I’ve committed to it, and it makes me nervous. I guess it’s time to do what I like to advise others: Reach beyond what you ever thought possible. So stay tuned . . .

In the meantime, here are excerpts from the critique my book received:

“The book is extremely well-structured with flashbacks woven into the storytelling so naturally the reader barely notices the transition . . . We get a sense of the narrator right away and the narrator then introduces us to David and the people she meets along the way so we not only come to see them as characters, but in relation to the narrator. It’s a tricky thing to do and the author does it beautifully.

The story is deeply personal and full of insight . . . a beautiful firsthand account of traveling alone in a foreign place. It’s a story of catharsis, of healing, of faith, and of discovery. The descriptions are wonderful and the tenderness in the passages about loss will bring you to tears.

It works as a travelogue, as a memoir, and as a spiritual guide.”

—Judge, 13th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-book Awards.

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P.S. On another note, I’ll be making a few presentations in Clarkston, Washington next month. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll stop by.

March 15 I’ll be the speaker at the Valley Spiritual Center to share my Camino story/book at 10:30 a.m., and then to give a Power Word workshop at 1:00.

March 24 I’ll share my Camino story/book at 5:30 p.m. at the Asotin County Library.

March 28 I’ll lead a vision board workshop at the Valley Spiritual Center, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Email me for the details. If you would like to arrange for a presentation for a group in your area, let me know. I’d love to explore the possibilities.