Whew. I'm home and the laundry was no sooner done than the kitchen was torn up while the new flooring went in before the 30th anniversary party here last week.

I had a fabulous time in Dallas where my chick lit manuscript, Oh Shop It, took 1st place in the American Christian Fiction Writer's annual Genesis contest for unpublished novelists. I think I could have made it home without the airplane, I was floating that high. Still am.

It's a little bit worrying though. Being a winner, I mean. It's starting to look like the published writer gig might happen. I have some interest in my manuscript. I'm getting good reactions. Even my declines are glowing. Really, I got a rejection from Random House that I had to read twice to make sure it was really a rejection. I couldn't tell at first, the rest of the note was so complimentary.

So, what's the problem? I'm afraid if the answer comes and it's a "Thanks, but no thanks," I might be ... let down. Okay, discouraged. Oh all right, crushed like a garlic clove going into a Bologonese sauce.

To ward that off, I'm praying (a lot) that I will enjoy the journey. Whatever happens, it's all in God's hands anyway. I will be happy to have fun along the way and to maybe encourage a few others to come with.

But, a contract would be great too.