Because I Can Happened Because Others Can …

Most times when books are released there is only one name on the cover … but the truth is writing a book does not happen alone. While the book is no doubt from the blood, sweat and tears of the person whose name is on the cover (unless a ghostwriter was hired) there are many people that help make it happen.

That’s how it’s been with Because I Can … it’s my blood (literally), sweat (yes!) and tears (many). My name will be on the cover and the spine (which looks really cool thanks to Rhizome Publishing and Lastleaf Printing) but many others have also helped make it happen.

It’s a given that it wouldn’t have happened without the support of Jerry, my boys, family and friends and there’s an acknowledgement page in Because I Can recognizing them. But beyond them … there’s many others that held my hand through the process.

In 2010, I was accepted into a coaching program by Ben Arment called Dream Year. I had been writing already, but had no structure or plan. Ben gave me guidance and structure to force help me write one to two thousand words a day.

Because I Can was completed because Ben can coach.

Ben is multi-talented and also directs a great conference called Story. At Story in 2010, I saw Randy Elrod whose blog I’d been reading for some time. Thanks to the coaching from Ben, I forced myself out of my comfort zone and introduced myself to Randy. And a wise move it was because Randy connected me to someone crucial to Because I Can – Alice Sullivan.

Alice is a freelance editor from Nashville who I hired to edit my book before I pursued publication because I knew it needed help. After Alice’s first review, it took about three days to pick myself up off the floor. It’s not because Alice was mean, she wasn’t. Though I knew my writing needed help, I didn’t want any of my ‘precious’ writing to be criticized. Alice encouraged me and complimented my writing … then she did her job and questioned, critiqued and challenged me to condense, add, change and edit.

Because I Can is what it is today because Alice can edit.

As I neared publication, I wanted endorsements from authors. I was nervous to ask, but I didn’t need to be. Many authors graciously said yes. Then more nervousness as I sent them the book wondering if they would read a few pages and then change their minds. But no, they wrote the kindest endorsements. (Between you and me, sometimes I think they got confused and had another book in mind when they wrote these)

Because I Can has endorsements because published authors can (and are willing to) help new authors.

Here’s a few snippets from the endorsements …

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“Although Janet’s experience of trauma and loss is different than my own, I’ve come to know her as a kindred spirit in relating her healing journey with authenticity that will resonate with anyone wondering how to thrive amidst the losses of life.” Janelle Shantz Hertzler (The conversations Janelle and I’ve had saved my sanity … or made it worse, somedays I’m not sure which ;)

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“The stories that Janet unfolds in Because I Can will make you believe that you not only can overcome, but that you will overcome. Because She Did.” Matthew Paul Turner (Love the way he can make me both laugh and think deeper about things)

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“It is a story that is honestly told–both physical and spiritual scars are revealed–and yet it manages to inspire on each and every page. You won’t want to put it down.” Rachel Held Evans (I like Rachel’s willingness to ask questions … even if that confuses her and she doesn’t know if she’s amish, catholic, evangelical or a misfit)

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“Janet Oberholtzer inspires me. Not just because she pushed through the physical pain of her injuries to become a runner and athlete, but because she traveled through the tunnel of psychological and spiritual pain without giving in to cynicism.”  Jason Boyett  (I love Jason’s diversity – his books have gotten endorsements from Scot McKnight, a Religious Studies  Professor to Hemant Mehta, The Friendly Atheist)

If you want to see what they are talking about … order Because I Can now.

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What can you do … that could help someone else? Encouragement, kind words and skills are all needed to help make dreams come true.