About The Book
Book: There Is Hope
Author: Carla Huelsmann
Genre: Journal, devotional, memoir
Release Date: August, 2018
52 life lessons for those struggling with major illness will inspire hope and encourage those suffering to take back control of their lives.
Carla Huelsmann dealt with the daily impact of seizures since age two. Her life-long battle with epilepsy impacted all parts of her life, family, career, self-confidence, and independence until corrective brain surgery ended the seizures. Free from the debilitating seizures and their accompanying residues of doubt and fear, Carla Huelsmann lives independently and shares her story to help others along their own journeys.
Part journal, part devotional, and part memoir, this is a book of hope, faith, and inspiration. The book addresses the fears, challenges, and questions about the future those going through a major illness, debilitating injury, or life crisis may have. Designed as a traveling companion for those facing challenging circumstances, each one-page entry is accompanied by blank space for the reader to journal his or her own thoughts and prayers.
My goal is to give hope, help, healing, and resources. I want to walk alongside others and assure them they are not alone; there is hope. — Carla Huelsmann
Click here to get your copy!
About The Author
Carla Huelsmann earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University, subsequently taught grades five through eight, and now works for the US Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis, MO. The alumnus of a fiction-writing course at Southern Illinois University, and the CLASS Seminar with Marita and Florence Littauer, she is also the author of articles on her experiences, and is available to speak.
More from Carla
I want to inspire and equip others struggling with epilepsy or other major illnesses to take back control of their lives. Eighteen years after corrective surgery, I live a seizure-free life that I feel in control of. And, I want to share my story and lessons learned with others facing serious challenges. My goal is to give hope, help and healing and resources of helpful information in one book. I want to walk alongside them and assure them that they are not alone and there is hope!
I’ve dealt with seizures, epilepsy and their daily impact since the age of two. It has impacted my family, career, self-confidence, independence and much more. Through it all, family, friends and faith have provided bedrock sources of strength. In addition, timely interventions by doctors, new contacts, new techniques and self-discipline came at opportune times through perseverance.
Now free from the tunnel of doubt, fear and debilitating seizures, I’ve gathered up my collection of personal journals and thoughts in order to help others along their journey. “There Is Hope: Bloom Where You are Planted” is a devotional for someone going through major illness, major injury, or life crisis.
Author Q&A
When did you first realize you were a writer?
I realized I was a writer when I had brain surgery for seizures at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN on November 7, 2000. After I had the surgery and during the recovery process of six years, I saw the desire to write and journal and learned so much from reading scriptures and seeing the power of the word of the Lord Jesus Christ take over in my healing process. Waking up in the middle of night to write when I used to sleep, and hearing from so many people that I should write a book or movie about all my setbacks in life confirmed that.
Who encouraged you in your writing?
Dr. Gregory Cascino at the Mayo Clinic was my encouragement to write at my one year check in November 2001. The confirmation came when I was married and my husband told the Doctor at the Mayo Clinic that I wanted to write a book, and he told him you should let her because she is not supposed to be able to do that typically after the type of surgery she had . . . .
What obstacles did you face in your journey to publication?
I faced many obstacles in my writing – searching for where to go to learn about publishing, how to market the book, and how to find a publisher.. I realized it is up to the writer to do that. Market, market, market! Proving yourself as new writer is not easy.
Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?
I was a structured writer during my times as a school teacher. I wrote in the morning and after work from 7 pm – 10:30 pm every day for 9 months. I had a routine that If I didn’t have to work full time I could have a book written in 3 months. I want that back — I am single parent now and work full time. It is hard to get on the computer after work when I am on it all day.
What types of research did you pursue as you were writing this book?
I researched brain disorders and organizations specializing in those areas. I contacted doctors and patients and searched websites/organizaitons like the VA.
What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired to write my book when I had the surgery and the following counseling I received to learn how to rethink. After living my whole life with seizures, the medical setbacks I have had, and the struggle to learn, I wanted the stigma to be removed and be the person to put myself out in public to speak and write and help others overcome.
What would you like your readers to take away after finishing There Is Hope?
I want readers to take away from my book that there is a lifeline of hope, help, and healing, and that you are not alone. The Lord is my strength. I hope medical clinics, hospitals, and families will use it to save marriages and relationships, and that the VA will use it to help in small groups.
Readers always want to know what is up next for an author. Can you share about any works in progress?
I am in process of writing a novel. Title TBD.
Please tell us about yourself.
I have one daughter, and three brothers. I am Mary Kay consultant and work full time for the Department of Veterans Affairs. I like to walk, hike, exercise, and bike. I love camping, fishing, boating, and beach time. I enjoy traveling and meeting people. I also like baseball and sports. My family has a masonry company, and I love to design housing — I like to build things.
Blog Stops
Texas Book-aholic, January 13
janicesbookreviews, January 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 15
Older & Smarter?, January 16
Inklings and notions, January 17
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 18
For the Love of Literature, January 19
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 20
Through the Fire Blogs, January 21 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, January 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 22
CarpeDiem, January 23
Splashes of Joy, January 24
By The Book, January 25 (Author Interview)
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 25
God is Love, January 26
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour Carla is giving away the grand prize of an autographed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click HERE to enter.
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