Some Winning Words

“A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals.” —Larry Bird

I always have fun picking the winners for my giveaways. I give each message that comes from someone wanting to be in my giveaway drawing a number. Then when it’s time to pick the winners, I use an online program to pick a random number that matches up with one of the entry messages. Sometimes that turns out to be someone who has won a book previously like Kris who said she won one of my books a couple of years ago. But the rest of my winners this time in my newsletter birthday giveaway were new. Since I picked six winners, I had plenty of packages to send out today.

It’s always fun to hear from the winners after I contact them. Some of them are like me in that their name rarely comes to the top of the drawing hat. But this time they did. I’ve added a few winner quotes just for fun and maybe to inspire you if you are working toward some goal. I am working toward the goal of exploring the background history for my next book, and I need plenty of inspiration.

I’m a sports fan so I admire Larry Bird as a basketball player. He did work hard to perfect his skills. I’m grateful for my God-given talent of stringing words together to tell a story, but I need to work to get that story told in the best way possible in hopes of making my story the best I’ve ever written each time as the next quote suggests.

“Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve ever done before.” —Bonnie Blair

Now let’s hear from some book winners in my newsletter birthday giveaway.

Ashley from Texas wrote, “Oh my goodness! Yay!! Thank you so much. And now I have such a hard decision to make!! I will go with An Appalachian Summer! I can’t wait.”

Kris from Ohio said, “That is great news! I would love a copy of Along a Storied Trail. It involves two of my favorite things, horse and books!”

“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” —Babe Ruth

Sheri from Oklahoma said, “What wonderful news! I would love The Outsider, and to be addressed to my friend.”

“There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.” —Mia Hamm

Jane from Kentucky said, “I am so glad that I have won a book of yours, I would like your latest book (Along a Storied Trail) and I would like for you to autograph it. I am so glad that you have a newsletter so I can have it to read and keep up with your books. I really hope I can collect all your books.”

Betty from Indiana said, “I am THRILLED that I won one of your books!!! I am 76 years old, and it has been MANY years since I won anything. I would like a copy of “Along a Storied Trail”. I have read and LOVED all of your books except the Shaker series – those weren’t a favorite. Since I’ve already read this book, I would like it autographed to my dear 16-year old granddaughter and will give it to her for Christmas. It will be so cool for her to have a book autographed by the author!”

Lynn from Michigan was the first place winner so she got a little bonus besides the book–a bag of my favorite candy, Blue Mondays, made right here in Kentucky, and the fancy tea towel. Here’s what she said, “I am speechless! I am so excited that I won your birthday book giveaway. I am intrigued by Blue Monday candy – I’ve never heard of it and look forward to enjoying it and the tea towel. … Since I am a long-time cozy mystery reader and didn’t realize you had a mystery, let alone a series – I would be thrilled to have a copy of Murder at the Courthouse.”

“Winning is fun…. Sure. But winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point.” —Pat Summitt

Pat Summitt was a great coach of women’s basketball and she knew how to win. But this quote shows she knew that winning was more than collecting the trophy at the end of the day.

The picture is my granddaughter modeling some of the ribbons her older sister won at a horse show. But she was as proud as her sister, I think. It is good to be happy for others but it is fun to end up one of the winners too. So, for those of you who didn’t win this time, maybe next time. I’ll be having another giveaway soon.

“A winner never stops trying.” —Tom Landry“

We can all be winners when we trust in the Lord.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. …Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)

Have you ever won a book or another prize in a giveaway drawing?