What’s Disrupted in my New Book and Why?

The post below says that Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 is my latest book. It’s time to update that. My newest book is called Disrupted. You can learn about it at https://www.amazon.com/Disrupted-B-Lynn-Goodwin/dp/1804393487, and you can read the opening below.

Chapter 1

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

San Ramos High, Northern California

The earth pounded like a jack hammer. I dropped my phone and

it bounced on the floor of the main hall at San Ramos High. As I

grabbed it, the floor slammed into my feet again. That jack

hammer was working overtime.

“Get in a doorway,” a booming voice called.

I knew that, so I was surprised when the current Student

Council President came running toward me. The girl he was with

said, “Chill. It’s nothing. A trembler—not an earthquake.” I must

have looked worse than I thought because she stared for a minute

before she asked, “You okay?”

I nodded.

“You’re Sandee Mason, right?” the Student Council

President asked.

“That’s me.”

“I remember the assembly where you spoke about your

brother last spring.”

I nodded. Here he was, in the job my brother, Bri, had two

years ago, and I couldn’t help wondering if Bri wanted to tell me

something or warn me about someone. He used to send me

encouraging messages after he died – at least I thought he did –

and I kind of hoped he was trying to get my attention now.

11“Don’t worry, small quakes just release the tension between

the plates. The big one’s further away than ever and it seems like

it’s over now.” He pushed the hall door open for his girlfriend.

“Thanks,” I called after him. My dad had told Bri and me

that factoid years ago.

I grabbed my books and stuffed them in my worn backpack,

then slammed the door, which made as much noise as the under-

earth pounding.

I was already five minutes late for rehearsal. Not good. Ms.

G expected her actors to be prompt, and that went double for the

stage manager—me.

The quake spooked me. So did the Student Council

President. From the back he looked a lot like Bri, but Bri went to

Afghanistan and the body parts they could find came back in a

box.

One Year Later: Do Awards Matter?

SM_Dragonfly_Royal_Seal_Winner-01

 

A year ago I wanted to win as many awards as I could for Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62. So I entered in a bunch of places, and won some First Places and some Honorable Mentions and some Finalists. As you can tell from the tone of that last sentence, it mattered more before I did it.

I love that I have won from 4 or 5 different organizations. The latest one is the Royal Dragonfly.

Having been a writing contest judge, I know it’s the repetition that counts more than any one prize. I know opinions vary, and the fact that Never Too Late is receiving so much recognition is rewarding, but it’s a little scary that I could not name the awards from memory.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll look back on these days and wonder why I didn’t lean into this time more. Then I’ll remember how much Richard and I were both doing, and maybe I’ll remember these as some of the best years of our life together.

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Be sure to check the mirror in the upper left-hand corner.

I believe this is the one-year anniversary of Never Too Late‘s publication, and I’m glad I said yes to my husband and my publisher.

I’d love to read your comments about publishing books and articles. Can you share?

Woo-hoo or Trying to Make it REAL

 

NeverTooLate

Never Too Late

CONGRATULATIONS!

It is our great pleasure to inform you that you are a Winner in the 12th Annual National Indie Excellence® Awards. Your book truly embodies the excellence that this award was created to celebrate, and we salute you and your fine work.

The lists of winners and finalists are proudly displayed on our website, please log on to www.indieexcellence.com and click on the Winners & Finalists tab to see your name and book cover highlighted for all to see. Awards are available for download and purchase on our website including: cover stickers, certificates, and medals. The 12th Annual NIEA contest’s Press Release will go out to a wide array of news, media and industry outlets (it is also on our website as a download for your use).

The team at the National Indie Excellence® Awards sincerely hope your participation in our contest will serve you well in your ongoing success. You have our deepest congratulations.

Warmly,

The Team at the National Indie Excellence® Awards

4-18 Contests

Exciting news indeed. In third grade I came in second in the spelling bee. In high school speech contests I once got a third place, but nothing better. In 1976 I  was named Teacher of the Year by an alternative, unsanctioned high school newspaper.

A couple years ago I won a Bronze Medal for Talent and later I was a finalist in the Sarton Writing Contest.

Today I actually won. Best in my category as they would say at horse races and county fairs. Everything changes.

R & Me

My husband, a major player in Never Too Late, says, “You don’t lose until you quit trying.” Good statement!