Part 1 -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 12:15:35 08/13/07 Mon
Author: Neysa
Author Host/IP: user-2inik79.dialup.mindspring.com / 165.121.80.233
Subject: Part 1
In reply to: Catie 's message, "Neysa the fact that you had a visit with the Pope" on 10:26:46 08/13/07 Mon

It is very strange how it all started, although I enjoyed writing in grade school, as I got older I didn't like it anymore. No thoughts about writing anything.

It started in February of 1995, when I went to the library. I was very depressed because my dad was told on Christmas Eve that he had cancer. I like reading biographies, and went to the library to get a book to read, thinking it would take my mind off of my dad having cancer. While at the library I saw a few books on Pope John Paul II. All I thought was I am not interested in reading about a pope.

However, I couldn't move from the spot where the books were on the shelf. It was a strange feeling, as if I was stuck in cement. So, I took three books and went home and read them. I was really impressed. I went and got more books and read them too. I went to the college's I attended and did more research. Also the the college's near my home. Then, this thought came into my head about writing a children's book. I checked but couldn't really find a book written for children about his life. All I thought was I am no writer, I don't know what to do.

In my last semester of grad school I took a course in Children's Lit. I was a history major, but that semester I didn't like what they were offering. My advisor said I can take one elective that is not a history course. In that Children's Lit class we had to write a children's story.

I wrote to my prof. who taught the course and she told me to go ahead and give it a try, writing a children's book about the Pope.

So, I did just that, sat down and starting writing. I really had a difficult time at first. I was so used to writing so many papers on a graduate level that I had trouble bringing my writing down to a children's level.( I read a few children's books to help bring me down to their level).

So much info on the Pope I couldn't write about all of it. I was really scared. His writing is very difficult to understand. He was a philosopher, I am not. I really cried.I thought this is crazy, I can't do this. Just, like the time I felt I was being called to be a nun. I was really being called to write this book. The thought wouldn't leave.

So,I locked myself in the bedroom ,and prayed to the Holy Spirit to fill me with his light and to please guide and help me. I said this prayer the entire time I worked on the book.

I cannot remember when I finished it, I think in June, but I cannot remember.

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[> Part 2 -- Neysa, 12:31:20 08/13/07 Mon [1] (user-2inik79.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.80.233)

When I finished it I bought a Writers Digest Children's Books. I began sending my manuscript out to children's book publishers. I would get back that they liked it, but not what they're looking for at this time. I remember the date exactly,it was Tuesday, October 3, 1995. I received a call from Pumpkin House Publishing Co. in California (No longer in business) the woman I don't remember her name. She said she wanted to publish my book. (She owned the Co,) They only published children's books. She was a very strange woman. She told me that she took my manuscript that I sent her, to church with her that morning while she attended morning Mass. Then, she sat there for over an hour praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament. While she was there, she gave my manuscript to the monsignor who was the pastor, for him to read. He blessed the manuscript.

My dad was very ill already. When I got off the phone, I ran into the room where he was and told him the good news. My dad smiled and tears began rolling down his cheeks. I remember this part so well, because my dad died nine day later.

( I'm sorry I have to stop here for a bit, I can't stop crying). I'll be back to continue in a bit.

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