IWSG: Photographs and Wisdom
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| Thanks to Alex and his co-hosts: M Pax, Melissa Maygrove, and Karen Walker |
So, when I first started writing, I never dreamed I'd ever hold one of my books in my hot sweaty little hands.
Never.
But I was content with writing stories for me. I figured I'd stack them in the closet in neat manilla envelopes...like the romance version of Emily Dickinson.
One night, my husband and I were out with friends, enjoying maybe one too many margaritas...I joked with my friend, Lora, that when I got a book published, she could take my author photograph.
See, Lora is an uber talented photographer. She's been named West Virginia's Photographer of the year for 2013, 2011, 2010, and 2008. That's some serious talent! I had full faith in her, but not so much in myself.
Then in February 2012, I signed a publishing contract!
And sadly, Lora's son, Brock was diagnosed with leukemia. (Read post here.)
So, when "Past Due" and "Healing Summer" were released, the author pic was a shot taken by my son, Conner. I told Lora when Brock was well, I'd hit her up for the photo.
Today...I am so HAPPY to say, Brock is well!!! A full recovery...he even has his hair back!!
and I have my official author photo...
What, you ask, does this have to do with insecurity?
We may suffer from it, but we can't let it beat us.
We must have faith.
Lora started taking photos at her day care, she polished her craft, and today she is the owner of her own business and has a cabinet full of awards that would make Oscar envious. All because she believed, worked hard, and never gave up.
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| By Lora See More Memories By Lora Yeater |
And in true winner fashion, she explained that she always believed she had some talent, but the greatest part of her success was loving what she does. Photography isn't work. It's part of who she is...an expression of her self.
And it doesn't matter where an artist is right now. You keep working, you keep learning and your skills and reach grows. It doesn't happen by luck or even happen over night.
Then she reminded me there was a time when she was just a gal with a camera taking pictures in her basement.
Like Lora on Facebook!
What a wonderful post Elizabeth. So glad your friend's son is well and that is a great photo to display.
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzanne! His recovery is a definite thank you Lord moment!
DeleteWe all start as just someone with a dream and a talent. Your picture looks amazing and angel like. It's great that Brock recovered and thanks for sharing all this encouragement with us.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It does start with a dream and an idea. We see people who have reached their dream and forget that they didn't just get there over night.
DeleteYahhy for Brock (PTL :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice picture that is of you, Miss Liz, I'm impressed - you look all grown up :)
Great job, Lora, (but you had a wonderful subject to work with and the camera never lies :)
Mark. My favorite guy in the in the bloggy world. I forgive you for all the virtual noogies.
DeleteA most definite PTL moment! And a continued blessing.
o to be forgiven is divine and to have free wine is sublime
DeleteWow! Great story and great photo. Love it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa!! I do love happy endings, or in Brock's case a happy beginning!
DeleteI love your pic! Your writer's journey will surely inspire others who are still dreaming of holding the book. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Brinda. The bottom line is...you have to keep working and never give up.
DeleteWhat a great post! I love your picture. :) And that's wonderful to hear that her son is doing so well!
ReplyDeleteThe Brock part really is the best part of the story. He's a brave kid. I complain, but really, I have no clue how tough life can be.
DeleteGreat post - and so glad to hear Brock is well! That picture is so good - you look fabulous! I think we all need to hear that perseverance and self belief can pay off! Thanks, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteIt is a good reminder. I mean, as I looked around her studio, I was awed. And you start to think it happened like that, when in reality...she could have quit a long time ago if she thought, "I'll never get out of my basement with this." Too often we see the end results and never see the middle.
DeleteYour photo is amazing! She did a great job and glad her son recovered.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex! As Mark says PTL!!
DeleteGorgeous picture Elizabeth! You are beautiful. And it is so awesome to hear about a recovery like that. Amazing. God bless him.
ReplyDeleteBlessings hold amazing power. Thanks jaybird!!
DeleteWhat an amazing photographer. Also so very glad to hear about her son. What a tough thing to go through. Love to her and her family.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty picture of you. Your hair.... I have such hair-envy now. It's gorgeous!
She is amazing.
DeleteDon't be too envious of the hair. I have a ton of it and when it hits the humidity, I look like Roseanne Roseannadanna!! Thankfully the studio is climate controlled!
This is such a wonderful photo! You look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad to read that your friend's son is doing well now.
Thanks Julie. Brock's recovery is such a blessing. Really...nothing is more important than that!
DeleteGreat photo! She is very talented. Especially to do you in white against white. Congratulations about her son getting well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen!
DeleteIt's funny, she told me ahead of time that white was tough, so I wore black. But it didn't look right, I looked faded and washed out. She was like, let's just go with your tee shirt and see what happens. That worked, so she ran with it.
Nice pic! Glad your friend's son healed. Agree totally about holding to your dreams. Happy IWSG day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Molly! (love your name...I never got to pick baby girl names, so I have a lot of fun picking girl names for my stories...Mollie is one of my favorite characters ;)
DeleteGreat photo! I'm glad her son is doing better. That's a relief.
ReplyDeleteCan a photographer get rid of my age? lol That's one reason I hesitate.
Best tip of the day from Lora? Just relax and be natural. You have such an awesome smile Mary, it will shine through at any age!
DeleteYou're so lucky to have a friend with so much talent in photography. She did a great job for you,
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to read about a happy ending for her son.
I am very lucky. And it was easier to relax just yacking about the kids and not thinking about a camera in my face.
DeleteBeautiful photo and the fact that your son is in recovery brought tears to my eyes! So happy for them!
ReplyDeleteI know. When I first wrote the post that he was ill, your heart stops because you know the outcome goes both ways. Luckily for Brock, his tests show zero signs of the disease remaining. And Lora tells me he is training his dog to do hospital visits...how's that for an amazingly well adjusted young man?
DeleteIt's lovely that your photo shoot and the recovery of Lora's son are tied up like that. A wonderful, inspirational post :-)
ReplyDeleteYay! My first thought when I saw your comment today was, "She has a new photo, and it's dazzling!"
ReplyDeleteFirst, I'm so glad your son is back to health, and second, I'm glad you finally got your official shot. You're gorgeous, Elizabeth!
Thanks Crystal!
DeleteHi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteSuch an upbeat ending to your post. Through the recovery of Lora's son, will be further revelation and further awareness of how much we savour life and you, dear friend, express the joy with your words. Lora, through her photos and the love of her beloved son, Brock.
From dreams come realities.
That photo of you resonates with your dazzling aura.
Notice no mention of what I thought "IWSG" meant?
Gary :)
You're as thoughtful and classy as you are funny :)
DeleteI love this post so much. You look gorgeous, and I'm so happy for Lora and her son. I may have to bookmark this one.
ReplyDeleteLuvz!
Thanks Cassie! And happy birthday chick :)
DeleteElizabeth, your words gave me chills, and it's 100 degree weather here. Such a touching story, for many reasons. Your accomplishments are part of it too. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Aww...thanks Robyn. Hugs for you too. :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful feel-good story. I'm so glad your friend's son is in recovery. And WOW! That is a gorgeous photo of you! Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLora rocks! So glad her son is well and glad you have such a good friend in your corner. :)
ReplyDeleteI have many good friends...some that live close and some in Arkansas...
Delete:)
She sounds like an awesome lady (as are you)! Your photo is gorgeous :) Thanks for the pick me up. I certainly needed it today!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Samantha. You certainly have had some stress this summer. Glad to see the pictures of your niece looking so adorable and so healthy!
Deleteyou DO realize your hubby is in trouble because i am so going to come out there and steal you, you hot mama!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL. You're too funny!
DeleteWhat an inspiring and uplifting post, Liz! I *ALMOST* teared up. Believe in yourself and never give up. Oh so true. I believe in my movie reviewing (and hang out with awesome fiction writers in the meantime), but I sometimes think I will never reach my dream of becoming a film critic. I will get there soon; I know I will. I just gotta keep watching movies and writing about them with passion and dedication.
ReplyDeleteI love the author photo! A smokin' hot, sexy mama. Thank you for this! *HUGS*
And you will become that amazing movie reviewer you want to be. You have so much talent!
DeleteA beautiful post, Elizabeth! Lora certainly is a very talented woman and that photo of you is absolutely gorgeous :) xx
ReplyDeleteShucks, thanks Suzy!
DeleteI'm glad Lora's son is well and I love that photo of you. You're glowing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Medeia!
DeleteSo glad to hear Lora's son is doing better. This was a very inspiring post - almost as inspiring as the new picture. BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tonja!
DeleteA full recovery? That is all kinds of awesome....as is your new picture!
ReplyDeleteAs they used to say...."Hubba, hubba!" You look great :)
It is awesome! And thanks for the vote of approval. :)
DeleteYour picture is awesome! And so glad to hear that Brock is well!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks libby!
DeleteOh my gosh! Liz, seriously. You're such a babe! I LOVE the picture. It really is beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd now I just want to talk to Lora. Our son also had leukemia and I want to know what strand their boy had. Crazy, hard world... but miracles with remission!!!
Your little guy stays in my prayers Morgan. Remission is a wonderful, wonderful thing.
DeleteYou're such a pretty lady Elizabeth! Inside and outside! When you came here to the Chronicle for your interview, I was so envious of your lovely hair! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the upbeat post on this dreary Thursday. :)
How sweet Lauren! I have to say the same about you. Oh, and throw in some talented lady with that!
DeleteWhat a WONDERFUL post Elizabeth! And such great news about Lara's son! YAY!
ReplyDeleteLove the new author pic... CONGRATS!
You're right Michael, it takes knowing about the lighting!
DeleteI love your new pic! It's way author-fabulous! And thank God your friend's son is well. I'm hoping to do some author pics soon too. How exciting! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Pk...best of luck with your pics!
DeleteElizabeth...I was about to comment today on what a wonderful profile pic you have on Facebook. I noticed you had change and updated. You're GORGEOUS. Beautiful hair and smile, and very romance writerly. LOL. Lora is truly talented. I've been considering a professional photographer (in the future). We have a few good locals I've already looked into.
ReplyDeleteInspiring post, too. You really wrote a message we all need to read. Tweeting...
M.L. Swift, Writer
Thanks for the tweet! And the kind words. Best of luck with your pics!
Deletewow! what a story! and a sweet, successful, happy ending! so glad he is well!
ReplyDeleteand your picture is angelic!
Angelic? Hehe...I'll take that! And yes, it's a great happy ending to that part of his story...now he can write the rest himself.
DeleteYour new picture is fabulous! And I'm really pleased that all is well for Brock too.
ReplyDeleteI've often thought of doing a proper picture for myself but haven't had the nerve to yet.
You'll do great! Totally painless.
Delete