Instantly, with that first step excruciating pelvic pain caused me to collapse. Thank goodness my husband was there to catch me.

At the hospital, the MRI left no doubt that my lumbar spinal disks one/two and two/three had ruptured simultaneously. Two full months of bed rest followed before doctors could determine exactly what course of treatment would be required. Ultimately the decision came and I went back into the hospital.

On May 16th a Laminectomy (open spinal surgery) was performed. The operation was complicated and required both a Neurosurgeon and an Orthopedic Surgeon. I was kept in the hospital for nineteen days before being released and then followed six weeks of home nursing care. In addition, twice weekly, a visiting physical therapist pushed me into exercising my useless legs, trying to make them work again. I required a wheel chair for mobility and would until I could graduate to a cane and, finally, to walking unassisted. It was to be a long and tedious recuperation.

Still, even while in the wheelchair, most of my time was my own again. What would I do with all those newly recovered empty hours? For a few years, I had been writing and selling short stories as a hobby. Quickly conceived and written, short stories offered immediate satisfaction upon completion and the ultimate reward of occasional sales with by-lines.  I had found a Christian Magazine willing to accept my work and I enjoyed writing according to their quidelines for years as time allowed. 

Up until then, I had been convinced that attempting to write a novel would be an arduous undertaking much too demanding. Now, however, I had nothing but time. The idea of writing that novel persisted so forcefully that one day I found myself actually searching through forgotten old files until, finally, I pulled out an ancient outline - three yellowed pages – envisioned, but laid aside years ago. Yes, it was time to begin writing that novel.

Day after day, week after week, month after month, I immersed myself in the historical realities of the 1800s in the South; the years before, during, and after the Civil War. My “people” drew me into their world and I became as comfortable there as I was in my own - sometimes more so, as the ongoing pain of my healing back reminded me often of my limitations.

As my story’s family pioneered in the settlement of the North Georgia wilderness village of Terminus, Georgia which was, ultimately, to become the city of Atlanta, more and more pages of my book moved from my computer keyboard into manuscript form. Finally, the task was finished in April of 1998 and I went about finding either an agent or a publisher.

Every agent I spoke to said my book did not concern subject matter they were interested in promoting. So I went directly to the publishing houses. There, even my queries were rejected. Never once was I invited to submit sample chapters. Rather, I was dismissed by every publishing house, large and small, to whom I submitted without ever being read. Repeatedly, I was informed that my subject matter’s era was “not in demand at this time.” Not in demand? In 2000, a book could be rejected simply because it did not fit into categories of “in demand” subject matter?

Thus, two years were lost in futile efforts to be published through “traditional publishing houses.” Now, I was angry as well as disappointed. I had worked diligently to make sure my novel was historically accurate. I had developed a plausible story line, believable characters, and it had movement and intrigue. Critiqued as “substantial” by intelligent, professional people in the entertainment industry whose opinions I respected, also my manuscript had delighted close friends and family.

By investigating, I learned that, nowadays, anybody could have a book published. Print-on-demand publication made that goal possible. However, because of Print-on-demand’s easy access to writers, good and bad, that new publishing opportunity was being spurned by traditional publishing houses and the media in general.

Regardless of the stigma associated with self-publishing, I had to take my chances so in 2002, in despair, I decided go ahead with my book through “Print-on-Demand Publishing.”

Well, now, I’m happy to report that some Print-on-demand published books are making quite a splash. I am told that my first novel: Briars: The House of Heirs is being weighed against Gone With The Wind. Not as an emulator, but as a new and worthwhile Southern Civil War era historical romance novel.

I was extremely pleased when at the first booksigning for Briars: The House of Heirs, Editor Marvin Cropsey of Mature Years Magazine, and pubisher of many of my short stories came by to spend  a little time with me while in town on other business.  It was our first meeting. (See photo.)  Over the years, he has proven to be a most encouraging editor and complimentary reader.  

In 2005, I had published the sequel to that first book: The Intangibles File: A Gathering of Heirs, a shadowy mystery with ghostly overtones.

This year in May, a Christian book: They Will Soar on Wings Like Eagles - the third in my trilogy came alive and is available on my new website, http://www.annsgray.com as well as at on-line book sellers and bookstores.

No more wheel chair; no more cane! I’m getting around just fine, now. I’m no longer a retired housewife, though. I stay busy at my computer, at book signings and with promotional appearances. But best of all, I have a loving husband and two playful poodles to care for — oh, I am so blessed!