D. Perdue Henderson

I decided to pull out one of my old novels and start working on the editing process. My goal is to release it at the end of the year, but I don’t know if I’ll have it ready by then. While working on it, I began wondering what the process would be to add some illustrations to the book. They’re not necessary, but would enhance specific areas. Now, I’m doing some research and looking for illustrators and artists that can draw something other than Anime. The problem is I’m struggling financially and don't have a lot of money to pay someone. Maybe, I can commission someone just out of school. Or, someone to do just the book covers for the series. It might be cheaper. If need be, I could always create something in Photoshop. I just prefer to have originals, so there are no legal complications. Plus, I could help someone else.

Now that the semester is over and only a limited number of classes are scheduled for the summer, I’m not sure what is going to happen to the article on me and the review of my book that the MATC Times said they were going to print. I have regularly been checking their site for updates and so far the same May 5, 2011 paper is listed. Granted I am new to the school and am unfamiliar with their process, but it is usually updated bi-weekly, so I am a little confused. If the article is printed in the summer edition, only a handful of people will know about it, and if they wait for the fall semester, they will probably forget all about me and my book. Needless to say, I’m disappointed. I don’t know why they got my hopes up if they knew they were not going to follow through. I realize disappointment come with the territory of media relations and marketing a book, and this process is making me stronger. But I am also learning a valuable lesson – Don’t announce something before it happens. In d...

With Memorial Day and Summer coming up, people will be outdoors. Please view the attached links and memorize the faces of these missing children. You just might see one of them around town. If you do, get as many details as possible and call 911. You could be that childs angel, if you actually see them. Say a prayer until then for their safe return. Missing Children Missing Kids Day is May 25th

After six months, I found myself smiling for the first time in a long time. Mostly, because of the freedom and the fact I made friends. My first friend was a horse named Marshmallow, because he had a white square on his forehead. I rode him every chance I could and at night you could find me in the stables grooming him. Marshmallow helped me see that things could always be worse than they are. I needed to learn how to accept my current situation if I was ever going to be happy again, just like he had too. The second was a girl named Rebecca. She was from Southern Mississippi and was the same age as me. We looked a little alike, so Patrick would set us up together on assignments. We became friends and would stay up at night making fun of the assignments we had that day. She got me to laugh again. Whenever my day would drag on endlessly, or I would be out with an assignment that was a real loser, I would think about how we would make fun of him later and I would grin. That alone woul...

I decided to take his advice and stay on the floor, out of his way. Considering how angry he was, it was safer. He slammed both hands against the steering wheel, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He glared at me again before starting up the truck and heading for the highway. About an hour later Jimmy says crap, and pulls over to the side of the road. “Get up on the seat and keep yer mouth shut.” I slowly did as he asked, wondering if he was going to hit me again, but he didn’t. “Put yer seat belt on too.” I did it, while Jimmy hunted around for his license in his back pocket. That’s when I saw it. He had a gun in the center of his back tucked into his pant belt. Until that moment, I had no idea he even carried a gun and became really nervous for the officer.

I left the school, put my headphones on and started my music, heading home. I was a half block from the school and passed a beat up old van, as I was changing songs. The side door quickly opened and startled me. A big burly man that reeked of cigarettes jumped out and grabbed me. He threw me in the van with one quick swoop. I had no idea what was going on and was really scared. I scooted to the corner behind the driver, who was now driving away. I was screaming and kicking at the man telling him to get away. I told him to leave me alone and to let me out. I even threatened to call my Dad, but I never had a chance. He immediately took my music and phone away from me and tossed them out the door, along with my backpack. He pushed me down on my back and climbed on top of me, sitting on my knees. He checked all my pockets, empting them and tossed everything I had out the door too. The only thing he forgot was my lucky penny my Grandad gave me for my birthday last November.

     I was listening to the news and realized there are numerous children being abducted and raped today. That led me to thinking what those children would be experiencing while going through something so traumatic and what they would be like as adults, if they were forced to stay with their abductors. Also, what I would do if I was in their situation and only 12 years old.      When I started writing this book for a NaNoWriMo competition, I had no idea where it was going or what the moral of the story would be. I just wanted to write a story about abduction. I never expected it to become the book that you’re reading today, but I guess God had other plans.      We may not be able to eliminate child abuse or abductions from the planet, but we can open our eyes to what is going on in our own communities and listen to what is “not” being said by the children in them. I hope this book gets you thinking how you can make a differen...

I would like to thank NaNoWriMo.org for allowing me to join their group and challenging me to write a 50,000 word Novel in 30 days. I want to thank my husband Allen for giving me the time and support needed to complete this project. Thank you to my dear friend Debi for being my cheerleader when my deadline was drawing near. Thank you to Margaret (Peggy) for helping me with the editing. Last, and most importantly to God, thank you for being my co-writer and inspirer.