About the Author:
Michele Tune resides in the serene Ozarks of Missouri where the beauty of yesteryear still exists. She serves as President of the Ripley County Writer's Guild and passionately pursues writing inspirational essays, short stories, and poetry. She has had numerous articles and poetry published in her hometown newspaper, The Prospect News.

A survivor of domestic violence, she counsels others to rise above their painful pasts, stir once forgotten dreams, and find peace and success in a new life.

Her story about living next to an offensive neighbor, yet maintaining a Christian attitude is coming soon in a True Real Estate Stories anthology published in Vancouver, B.C.

Michele is currently working on her first book revealing how she lost over 100 pounds and improved her health.

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God's Glory/My Story
by Michele L. Tune

Shake the Dust

One afternoon as my mother glanced at the newspaper, she began reading aloud the ad for a Writer's Guild meeting. Noticing the date, she said, "Michele, that meeting is next Saturday and you are going—regardless."

"What?" I asked in awe.

"It is time that you do something with your writing talent." she said sternly.

"Ok," I hesitantly agreed.

I've always dreamt of being a "Published Author." As a child, my thoughts would drift as I gazed out the classroom window daydreaming. I could have been writing poetry or short stories instead of learning about The Boston Tea Party.

I imagined a last minute problem would surface and prevent us from going to that Writer's meeting. But the second Saturday arrived and sure enough, Mom was persistent.

"Are you ready to go," she pried.

"Yes, Mom," I answered.

As Mom drove, we talked about how long it had taken me to overcome the adversity in my life.

"Michele, you survived domestic violence." Mom encouraged.

"I know, Mom, but I don't know if I'm ready to write." I said.

"I just have a gut feeling you need to go to this meeting," Mom said.

"I never thought this day would come." I thought aloud.

"But it has and God will direct your path, you'll see." Mom instructed.

“Remember when I was confined to my bed, Mom?”

"I told you then," she responded, "that you would live and not die! God has brought you through the domestic violence, sickness, and surgeries. Now it is time for you to shine and share your story, be an inspiration to others, give hope to the hopeless."

So began my journey of seeing my writing dreams come true. That day at the writer's meting, I met new people that shared my passion for writing.

The Guild's president assigned a writing quiz. "Write about an experience you went through that you never dreamed you would say 'I'm glad I went through that'."

When it came my time to read, I was horrified! I felt vulnerable exposing my heart and soul with strangers. But I read what I had written. When I finished, I looked around the table and noticed the others wiping away tears.

"Michele, that was beautiful!" a member exclaimed.

Another member, Garnet, said, "How long have you been writing, Michele?"

"My entire life." I answered.

"And, where is all your writings?" She pried.

"Locked away in drawers," I told her.

"Well, if you keep writing like that in drawers collecting dust, how do you expect to be published? The editors and publishers won't come to your house looking for stories!"

That day changed my life forever and Garnet's words hit home. I left that day with motivation to succeed and the courage to make it happen. When I got home, I rummaged around until I found my notebooks of stories and poetry and I began submitting them.

A little over a year has passed and I'm now the president of our local Writer's Guild. Garnet is still cheering me on. She'll call or come by the house and ask, "Have you submitted anything today? Have you written anything new?"

My mother continues to encourage me when I receive a rejection or think about giving up and she's writing and submitting too!

My stories and poems are being published in our local newspaper and I've started receiving acceptance letters and contracts for upcoming anthologies.

With God all things are possible! Rise above your past, dig out those manuscripts, shake the dust, and submit!

© 2007  Michele L. Tune