Ever get the feeling you're being used? Every once in a while, I'll meet someone (on-line or in real life), and we'll chit-chat for a brief moment, then I'll realize what they really want from me. Not friendship so much, but, "So, um, I'd really like to write a book. Can you help me?"

You can't imagine how many people out there want to write a book or be a "real" writer. Maybe you're one of them? If a passion for writing is burning a hole in the bottom of your proverbial pocket, you've come to the right place. No, not so I can share all my morsels of wisdom with you, but so I can't point you to people who can.

Isn't it crazy how we writer-people (and if you like to write, you're a writer-people) feel compelled to crystallize our thoughts, to put our life experiences into words, to share our aha! moments with who(m)ever will listen? It's kinda hard to explain to someone who doesn't have the writing itch/bug/craving. It's a tugging, almost a yanking. A burning, a longing, an urge. A force you can't ignore or stuff down, no matter how hard you try. 

So, what in the world do you do with that??

Hey there. I'm Marla. And I'd love to help you.

First of all, here's my personal story of getting published. In that post, I mention a gal named Rachelle Gardner who's a literary agent. Her blog contains the single most helpful writing advice I've ever gotten. She should be selling this stuff, but she's handing it out for free. Bookmark her blog, read it every day, and comment whenever you can.

I also mentioned Mary DeMuth's blog, So You Wanna Be Published? More good stuff.

Other sites I've found helpful include The Books & Such Blog ,Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt's blog ,agent Chip MacGregor's blog , Novel Journey. And here's the really cool thing. To save me from typing in a million blog links, each of these folks has a list of important writing blogs on his/her sidebar. Just start clicking and bookmarking and browsing and subscribing and...overwhelmed yet?

And here's something you might not have thought of. Are you Twittering? Click here to find out more info on this hot social networking tool. Follow me--I'm marlataviano. And here's a list of 25 agents/publishers/writing people you should follow if you want to write a book someday. You can also browse my list of people I'm following . Lots of great writer-people there.

Obviously, all this acquiring of knowledge and networking with people in the know isn't going to write a book for you. You're still going to have to sit down and do that on your own. And for more wisdom and advice on that, you'll have to check back soon.

I never, ever discourage someone from pursuing writing. I really believe it's something anyone can do with enough blood, sweat and tears. Some people have more natural talent than others,sure, but there's so much to be said for good old-fashioned hard work.

Bottom line? If there's a voice inside your head telling you to write, either ask it to kindly shut up, or get writing!

SHE'S HERE!! After months of waiting, she's finally here! Weighing in at less than one pound (but perfectly healthy!), my new book, Expecting, has made her grand entrance! Okay, so I'm over-dramatizing. I do that sometimes. Many times. Daily.

Honestly, I kind of have to pinch myself to make sure that I'm not in the middle of a childhood daydream. Being a published author. Four books on the shelves (and more to come if books don't become obsolete thanks to the internet and the economic crisis, but back to the issue at hand...). Pretty cool. I've come a long way from books made of notebook paper and glued-on JC Penney catalog people.

I also have to pinch myself when I look at my three baby (big!) girls. Olivia--8, Ava--6 (and a HALF!), Nina--3 (and 2 days). Another childhood dream (I nursed my baby dolls for hours, and I can still feel their cold plastic lips on my bare chest!)--and way bigger than any old book being published. If it wasn't for these three little ladies (and their daddy), I wouldn't even have any books. I write what I know, and what I know (and love!) is being a wife and a mommy.

My goodness, I use a lot of (parentheses).

Expecting falls into the same genre as my other books (non-fiction, self-help, marriage/parenting), but it's a bit different. For one thing, it's not funny. I know, that's not such a great selling point. Let me clarify. In my other books, I was going for laugh-out-loud funny. I get my kicks out of making people laugh. Expecting is more tender, more sweet, more sentimental. But it's NOT boring. And not annoying or sappy. It's actually a lot of fun, and you might even laugh out loud a time or seven. I love how it turned out. No matter how your pregnancy goes, being with child is one of THE most amazing experiences in the history of the universe. And I tried to capture the wonder of it all in the book.

A gal named Deena just wrote a review of the book on her blog, and I'm going to post it here because she did a far better job summarizing the essence of it than I ever could. Thanks, Deena!

Next to God's Word, this has to be the most perfect book for any woman who longs to be a mommy! Marla has outdone herself with this beautiful book and journal combination--almost enough to have me wanting another baby (but not quite--and not possible:-)

"Expecting" is designed to encourage moms and moms-to-be to learn about their unborn child and to pray for him or her. Marla takes us week by week in development of the unborn baby, with images and descriptions that will have you weeping and marveling at what God has done!

Complete with Scripture references concerning God's hope and creation of the unborn, each week gives more detail about how the baby grows bit by bit. From the formation of the zygote to the development of his/her teeny upper lip, you'll get a glimpse inside...a womb with a view!

Each week has a prayer for your unborn baby that you can customize as you pray over your child. What better way to start out life! And Marla acknowledges the mixed feelings that can come with a pregnancy...she doesn't exclude the momma to be who wasn't planning on having a little one.

She includes her in beauty and mercy and grace, making her long for this tiny baby God has surprised her with. No matter how conceived, we are truly fearfully and wonderfully made. I have the freedom to say that because I was born to an unwed mother of 16--and I was no accident in God's economy, nor a punishment.

Marla closes out each week with space to write your thoughts on your baby and how your life can be more like Christ's. When she talks about the baby's hands developing, her prompt that week is to think of your own hands and how they can be used to help others.

I only wish this book had been around when my children were in the womb. Perfect for those who are longing for a baby, just found out about expecting, or for the momma who's well on her way toward motherhood, "Expecting" is the best gift book for hopeful moms I've seen yet.

And what a tribute to the unborn who go on home ahead of us! Can you imagine having these thoughts as a keepsake for the little one whom Jesus called home before his/her time? What a treasure this would be (along with some heartache and pain, of course--but oh, the memories later on!)

I give "Expecting" the Golden Bookmark for writing and publishing excellence, with a set of golden rattles as a charm...blue, for my grandson to come, Malakai!

Happy Reading!

If you're here from Rocks in My Dryer , thanks for stopping by! And thank you, Shannon, for including me in your give-away. You're the bestest! I made myself a promise several years ago that I'd never publish anything I wouldn't spend money on myself. Take it from me (biased as I am), Expecting is perfect for every expectant mama. Not cheesy, not boring, not the same ol', same ol'. I'm pretty awfully sure you're gonna love it.