Christine Pauls
As a writer, I felt stuck. I didn’t want to write another
word. No stories came, or at least I closed my mind
to the possibilities of it all, not wanting to try. I had
no motivation or confidence to continue a writing
journey of any kind. I’d written three books over the
course of five years and ran out of gas.
That’s when, after being a part of NK Promo Partners
Group, Naleighna Kai sent me a direct message and
asked, “C, what are you working on?” I said, “Nothing”
and that was the truth. I’m sure that gave her a bit
of a pause, but she cleverly, came back to me with an
assignment of writing a short story. She told me to
think of something light-hearted, romantic even. So,
as we talked about it, I had to question: what is my
fantasy? What are my desires? And how would I want
a man to treat me? We went into this together.
This woman, who I also consider a friend, took
the time, at no charge, to work with me in putting
together the first three chapters of what I’ve titled,
Love Renewed, a story that centers on middle-aged,
Raelene Thompson and Lieutenant Gregory Banks,
who meet and experience a love connection, thanks
to the matchmaking ploy of Raelene’s military son,
Andre. It’s a mature story and the first time that I’ve
taken the road into grown and sexy writing. The point
is, I was being groomed to be a part of something
big and when the opportunity came, I folded. Even
though I already had the perfect short story.
Truthfully, I didn’t believe in myself enough to push
through and become a bestselling author for the first
time in my literary career. I promise you, I felt at my
lowest, but I only had myself to blame. At any rate,
I accepted my decision and dove into writing more
and created two additonal shorts which I titled,
Love For Granted and The Love You Save. Stories
that came from using the tools and encouragement
of one woman who continues to see in me what I’ve
failed to see in myself.
All of this, led to being asked by Naleighna Kai to
beta read one of her short stories for the anthology.
I graciously accepted, unaware that this sister had
yet another, ulterior motive. What happened? I was
blessed to become one of the beta-readers for NK’s
Tribe Called Success anthologies Sugar and Spice. I
was brought back into the fold and was extremely
grateful because I missed interacting with everyone
that I’d grown to know, love and support. I had
the honor and priviledge to read and critique the
stories of seventeen talented authors who are a
part of this great project. It was an experience of
a lifetime. I missed being one of the authors but
I was still able to participate and witness a group
that supports, pushes, and brings out the best in
each other. This is why it’s called a Tribe! There’s
nothing better than being with people who care
about everyone’s sucess. The Tribe helped in every
aspect of the project to ensure everyone wins. No
job was too big or small. Whatever needed to be
done, it happened. You also saw that writing wasn’t
the only talent. From finance, formatting, scene
development, it was amazing!
Everyone was treated on an equal platform and
brought there own style and flare to the stories they
wrote. This experience has also made me a better
beta reader which is a skill I can use more efficiently
outside of this group. I learned so many lessons
seeing the process firsthand and I’d do it again,
without question.
Christine Pauls a native of Wilmington, Delaware is the author of To Begin Again,
Belinda’s Song and One Good Thing, her newest release. She penned her first novel in
2012. The mother of two and grandmother of three is an accountant by day in the
banking industry.
NKLC Magazine | 27