From Mom Blog to Author, Time for a Change

About six years ago, I decided to write picture books. I’d read more than 300 with my then-1-year-old, so I considered myself an expert.

(For a list of my favorite picture books, check out my GoodReads bookshelf.)

I quickly learned I was no expert.

I did know enough to start a blog and Instagram page. After all, you can’t simply sell a book anymore. You have to be someone first.

I started See Mama Read. I tried my hand at growing a “brand” and enjoyed the learning process. I blogged a few times a week, posting about mom life, kid books, and everything in between.

Fast forward to (approximately) fall 2018. Our Sunday school class did a series on the prophet Daniel (of Daniel-and-the-lions’-den fame, if you’re less Bible-savvy). I spent the entire class, and the following church service, staring at the floor, inundated with ideas for turning the Bible story into a full-fledged novel.

It took an entire year, during which we moved from Florida to South Carolina unexpectedly, to actually attempt my first novel.

There’s always a steep learning curve when you try something new, so I needed a year and a half to finally type “The End!” in February 2021. On that last day, I looked like this:

I’d done it! I wrote 90,000 words of a continual story that seemed to make sense. Daniel the prophet, along with a fictional love interest and numerous other historical and made-up characters, came to life.

So, what now? I have all but stopped blogging, as the creative writer in my mind could only pour out so many words. I funneled my creativity toward the novel, so I don’t have much left for blog posts.

I’m also not writing children’s books anymore. I have a few manuscripts tucked away for the future, but that dream is on hold for a bit.

Well, it seems like the perfect time to take myself seriously as a Christian fiction writer.

At the urging of writer friends, I’ve recreated SeeMamaRead.com into ChristineBoatwright.com. I made a Facebook page. I even claimed “Author Christine Boatwright” on Instagram, even though I would be much more comfortable with “Aspiring Author Christine Boatwright,” as I haven’t sold a book yet.

Then again, there’s something brave about taking this step. Most people have a book idea. Some people even start writing that book. But to keep pushing forward? To continue on the journey? Well, I’m still here and still moving.

For those of you who aren’t writers, the jump from finishing a novel to publication is massive. I’m looking at revisions and hiring an editor to really whip the story into shape. Then I’ll start querying, which means I’ll need to research literary agents (as most major publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, so I’d need an agent to bridge the gap). After targeting my favorites, I’ll send in query letters, hoping to pique their interest enough to ask for the first few chapters.

If God blesses me with an agent, then the agent works to sell my manuscript to a publisher. Nothing is guaranteed or set in stone.

There are a million moving pieces I haven’t faced yet, but that’s about all I know for now. Self-publishing is always an option, but I’m giving the traditional route the old-college try first.

So, the plan? Keep making my first novel as good as I can with the resources available. Start the sequel, as I need to practice to better my writing skills.

And also maintain and build a social media platform so I can show publishers I’m either already someone on the rise or working hard to become so.

I can check “get new head shots” off my list, because Nikki Caldwell is a magician.

So much to do!

Oh, and there are those children who call me “Mama” and that handsome man who comes home each evening expecting a bit of attention. Rightfully so.

For anyone following our international adoption journey: Nothing new is happening. We’ve been matched with our son since January 2020, and we’re still waiting to go pick him up. I’ll keep you posted.

I think that’s it? I wanted to give a quick update as to why See Mama Read has morphed into Christine Boatwright. Well, it’s technically always been “Christine Boatwright,” but I’m bringing her to the forefront.

As we all start this next season, keep this in mind:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Currently Reading:
Destination Hope: A travel companion when life falls apart by Marilyn Nutter and April White – A huge benefit to joining the writing world is the support of fellow writers. I was fortunate enough to join Word Weavers, International, when I moved to Greenville, South Carolina, and Marilyn Nutter welcomed me with open arms.

I started this book thinking it was only for people dealing with grief. Boy, was I wrong. If you’ve faced any unexpected twists and turns in your life’s plan (ahem, like trying to adopt from China only to have a worldwide pandemic originate in said country), then this book has encouragement for you. It releases September 28!