When I heard that children’s book author and colleague, Crystal Bowman, would be in town for children’s story-time, I put the date in my calendar. I knew I wouldn’t have any of my grandchildren with me that day, but I wasn’t going for them. I was going for Crystal.

I first met Crystal in person at Maranatha Christian Writer’s Conference in 2011. I had discovered her website, we had conversed via email, and she had agreed to edit my first book proposal and manuscript. I was eager to meet her, and to learn from her workshop.

The conference was wonderful, Crystal’s class was wonderful, and what was even more wonderful was that an editor from Zonderkidz carried my proposal back to the Zondervan offices, while I went home carrying my dream.

That was how the Love Letters from God series began. And I never would have made it without Crystal’s help and encouragement.

And so… of course I would attend her story-time! That was wonderful too. I came home with two of her titles: Does God Take Naps, an adorable rhyming book in her new I’ve Got Questions series, and Our Daily Bread for Kids, (which I actually won in the giveaway!) Crystal was kind enough to sign it for the children of my church, who I know will be blessed though it. I can highly recommend both books.

Now, when writers who aspire to be authors ask for my help, I help them any way I can. I try to be an encourager, as Crystal was, and is, for me.

For my author colleagues, I try to give back. I attend story-times, even when I have no children with me; I buy their books and I write those important reviews.

I think we are meant to be encouragers, as Jesus was, and as Paul exhorts us to be.

Who has encouraged you in your life’s journey?

Glenys