A Year of Mercy

Hi Megan,
I loved the spare, journalistic style of this. You include just enough highly effective description of the sights of the country and the people you meet, for example the taxi driver who takes you to the beach, to give us a good picture, and then we have your reactions as a newcomer to Liberia. There is a balance between lightness and dark, on the one hand the poverty and the effects of violence and on the other details like a red hat knitted for you by a patient and your obvious love of the job that you are doing. I hope the magazine and newspaper articles were well received. If they were on the same lines as this they should have been. Very well done.
Lucy

Hi Megan,

This is a brilliant and well-polished piece of writing. I only wish I had time to read more. There is, as far as I could see, just one small error in chapter one where you use the word 'lead' which should be 'led'. It's a common error but the past tense of lead is led. the word lead pronounced as led is a metal!

I don't want to put a damper on things but autobiographies, even those as good as this one, are notoriously difficult to sell unless you are a mega famous person. To get round this obstacle you need some kind of gimmick right at the outset to convince a potential publisher to look at your story.

I wish you luck with it. Whatever happens it desrves to be published.

Ron

What an amazing young woman you are. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us, I am in awe of your courage and daring, to leave behind the comfortable life you were accustomed to, while putting yourself in such a challenging situation to help others. You are an inspiration to us all. Backed with joy. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Hi Megan, I am fascinated by your topic as my sister who is a PA is going to be touring with the red cross ship. What an experience! What an opportunity for spiritual growth. The book is both well written and believable. thanks, Lynne PS do you think you could look at my book You turn? thanks, Lynne

You provide us an inspiring, thought provoking true story with fascinating, colorful characters in stunning settings. Visceral imagery. Authentic dialogue. Evocative narrative. Polished writing. A remarkable read. Backed.

Megan,

A very well-written memoir of a fantastic work. I hope this makes it to publication: glory for the name of the Lord and revelation to a skeptical world of the love Christians have for those in need. Enthusiastically backed!

I would appreciate your reading The DiVine Code if you can find time, and backing it if you feel it is worthy. It is a Bible study with a compelling message that I believe many Christians need to hear.

Good luck and God bless!

Dan W

Dear Megan --

We stopped trying to read with a critical eye when we read about praying for Benedict's foot and simply read for the pleasure and the wonder. A Year of Mercy is an incredible journey, both for you personally, for all the lives you touched on the ship, and for all the lives you will touch with your story. We hope to see this published. BACKED. -- Delhui, The Long Black Veil

Thanks a lot! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Meg

Dear Megan --

We stopped trying to read with a critical eye when we read about praying for Benedict's foot and simply read for the pleasure and the wonder. A Year of Mercy is an incredible journey, both for you personally, for all the lives you touched on the ship, and for all the lives you will touch with your story. We hope to see this published. BACKED. -- Delhui, The Long Black Veil

thanks for sharing the journey. i once heard a missionary say, "in liberia, there is nothing to enjoy..." wow. it hit me and i never forgot it.
j

I don't normally head for biographies, but this has a tone and beauty all its own. Your descriptions are real, vivid and believable, with some incredible insights. This is a wonderful, eye-opening and engaging read.

Backed with pleasure!

Abi xxx

This is a wonderful account of how things are for women in the third world, not wonderful because of how they are, but because you are bringing it to the attention of the masses and just maybe something will be done to help them. As a woman I feel dreadful that my fellow sisters are suffering in this way. Thank you for helping them. I will pray for them. I hope this project finds a really wide audience, backing without hessitation, blove Mary

Wow. Amazing. "Many of our male patients spend hours coloring in their beds" because they were not able to when they were younger. Thank you for writing this important book. It is a wake up call.
Sam

this is heart rendering writing, that really get to you. very descriptive.
tom 'From Hugs to Kisses'
i will back with pleasure, its well deserved and will read more
tom

this is heart rendering writing, that really get to you. very descriptive.
tom 'From Hugs to Kisses'
i will back with pleasure, its well deserved and will read more
tom

A marvelous narration that grabs your emotions hard. Real events, real people struggling to just exist. God bless you for your unselfish contributions to humanity.

Bill
Double Eagle

Hi Megan. I just want to say that I truly loved this. I have only read a little, but will be reading more.

Backed with pleasure.

Hope you get the chance to take a little peek inside The Russian Hat

Sincerley
Brendan Doherty
The Russian Hat

Personal diaries are truly emotional when portrayed with an authentically caring voice and tone. Well crafted. You lived it . BAcked.

I hope you will give mine a read and back it if you like it.
Best,
Robert
Golden Conspiracy

Thanks a lot! Blessings, Meg

Meg, you have a good voice. You make a reliable narrator and one which is highly likeable.
This is really the be all and end all of non fiction such as this. You can have the most amazing life but if you're un-likeable then people just wont want to come on the journey with you. Here they most definitely do. The fact that it's in such a good cause can only help you. My advice would be to look to break out some parts of the for a magazine feature and that will help drum up some publicity for your novel.
I wish you the best of luck with it.
Backed with Pleasure,
David
Bailey of the Saints

Thanks! I will look into writing some feature articles. Blessings! Meg

Personal diaries are truly emotional when portrayed with an authentically caring voice and tone. Well crafted. You lived it . BAcked.

I hope you will give mine a read and back it if you like it.
Best,
Robert
Golden Conspiracy

Amazing!

Meg, you have a good voice. You make a reliable narrator and one which is highly likeable.
This is really the be all and end all of non fiction such as this. You can have the most amazing life but if you're un-likeable then people just wont want to come on the journey with you. Here they most definitely do. The fact that it's in such a good cause can only help you. My advice would be to look to break out some parts of the for a magazine feature and that will help drum up some publicity for your novel.
I wish you the best of luck with it.
Backed with Pleasure,
David
Bailey of the Saints

This and awesome read with polished charcter and diolouge. The pace of the manuscript is riviting and keeps us engaged. C W

This is fascinating reading. I cannot critique style of story as it is a diary, and written as a diary. It keeps the attention riveted. I think you have an excellent change of publications with this manuscript. Marj.

Tried to back you twice Megan but don't know if it will work!
Virginia xxx

Thanks! Meg

Meg, the story is great, and I like the "journal" approach of your writing. I love to be able to live through things that I haver never done, thanks to writers like you :)
You might want to review for a few typos and repetitions that should be easy to remedy...
About VVF, there is a great documentary about it called "The Road to Beautiful", filmed in Ethiopia I think...
Thank you for telling your story, it is real, merciless yet full of kindness and enthusiasm. Backed.

Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed the journal format. Each entry is actually taken from journals I had written while in Liberia. I have seen "A Walk to Beautiful" and loved it! One of our VVF surgeons, Dr. Steve, spent years working at that hospital and I believe was involved in the documentary. He brought the film to the ship and we were able to watch it before it aired. We actually played it in the ward for the VVF women. Watching it with them was a very moving experience. Thanks for your support! God bless- Meg

I feel like I booked your book a while ago, but I cannot locate it. So here I am again.
HOpe all is well. Happy to back.
CHristopher
Crossing The lIne

Thanks! Meg

Interesting account. Backed.
F. Ellsworth Lockwood
"The Final Cruise"

You're one of the most talented writers I've ever read. Great book. We need to find you a publisher. Marry me!

Thanks :) I think I will!! (for the record, this is actually my fiance and not a creepy stalker :)

You're one of the most talented writers I've ever read. Great book. We need to find you a publisher. Marry me!

Meg, the story is great, and I like the "journal" approach of your writing. I love to be able to live through things that I haver never done, thanks to writers like you :)
You might want to review for a few typos and repetitions that should be easy to remedy...
About VVF, there is a great documentary about it called "The Road to Beautiful", filmed in Ethiopia I think...
Thank you for telling your story, it is real, merciless yet full of kindness and enthusiasm. Backed.

Loved what I have read so far, a doctor friend of ours goes frequently to many countries. Backed with pleasure. Sheila Cragg, All the Secret Things

Thank you all for your kind comments and for backing A Year of Mercy. I really appreciate it!! -Meg

...from the world I am used to...
Having spent many years in Africa, it was quite a nostalgic experience reading your book...very evocative and meaningful...well done. I wish you the best of luck
Stewart

Hi Megan,
I find your writing very endearing and addictive. Due to the bite size, daily passages, the reader is very easily led through your experiences.
I will certainly read more when I have time.
PS reminds me of the time I visited Africa.
Kirsty
Prygon: The Circle of Dark Magic

Tom recommended your book to me and how right he was.
Backed wholeheartedly.

Very sad and very encouraging. You appreciate the essence of Africa, a beautiful place where life is cheap.I am glad that people like you are helping. Well done. Backed.

The simplicity of your narration--diary form and journalistic detail--provide a poignant platform for your narrative. I read a little of the first chapter and then moved on the the fourth.

Here is the link to a poem I wrote about Sarajevo (page 84)http://www.1stworldpublishing.com/download/leavesbyday.pdf

Hope you get a chance to look at my book.
Tom Kepler
The Stone Dragon

Hi Megan, The narrator’s sense of mission made this compelling from the start. Diary form expresses well the selected scenes from her eyes. And it delivers the information about the women in the hospital while conveying the human experience there. There’s energy in this and a profound portrayal. Shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Hi Megan
I was fascinated by this read and the quality of the writing. There is nothing better than reading strong, exciting memoirs of ordinary people. Not only do you deserve praise for undertaking the work that you have done, but also crafting it superbly into a fine book. Best of luck with this.
DP Walker
Five Dares

An inspirational read, to be sure, and you write in a very engaging and personal voice. Because it is present tense, the urgency of these moments comes through and it makes it even more personal, I think. I have looked at two chapters and both are well-written and engaging. I think an important aspect in any biographical work is that you have a theme that binds the experiences together, some sort of change that the character goes through, or some sort of realization or growth. I haven't read the entire work so I can't speak to whether this is the case, but otherwise, I think that this has a lot of appeal. Good job, really enjoyed it.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

This is truly inspiring, you make us all look a little sad squabbling about our books on here. Your writing is wonderful, it put me right there in the middle of it with you. Everything about this touched me and humbled me. It's a treat to read something like this.

Missy

Hi Megan, you are a very dedicated person and besides that you are an excellent writer. You are able to give the reader a first hand glimpse into the world of suffering. The poorer countries need the expertise of qualified nurses and doctors, but have so far had to do without. I admire your ambition to help this cause.
I like your book which is a well written and compelling experience. I feel proud to back it.
SHELVED.

Regards,

Neville (The Secrets Of The Forest - Book One)

I feel like I booked your book a while ago, but I cannot locate it. So here I am again.
HOpe all is well. Happy to back.
CHristopher
Crossing The lIne

i found the stories here so hopeful.
the suffering is harrowing and one could despair
your writing however is crisp, crystal clear and most importantly heart-lifting
Backed
Micheal O'Durcain
Murder on the Menu

Thanks! Meg

Your confession of an uncontrollable urge to spit from high places won me over completely. This is not just another woman on a mission, obviously. Backed. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

Hehe :) That part is very true. I even taught a few of the patients how to spit when no one was looking. Thanks! Megan

Megan, the first chapter is very strong. I felt the language was precise and it gave me a sense of atmosphere. The writing is excellent and the characterizations well developed. The story has many little gems planted throughout the book—appealing
Great storytelling
Scott
The Esrevinu Chronicles/Secrets of the Elephant Rocks

Thanks! Meg

You've got a compelling story, and the format you've chosen is an effective way of presenting it. I'm a little confused -- is this an actual transcript of your journal, or are you writing it that way? There are times when the verb tense doesn't seem quite right for a journal; for instance, present-perfect would seem more natural to me than past-perfect. If your journal format is a matter of creative writing, then I'd revisit the tenses; if it's your actual journal, then you wrote it the way you wrote it and I'm completely wrong. Anyway, your story is fascinating and I hope it does well here. Happy to back you.
Craig
The Job

Thanks for the feed back Craig! This book is based on my actual journals that were written while I was in Liberia. I went through and did some editing, but I kept it in a diary format so it maintained a bit of a raw feel. As if the reader was there with me :) I hope it still conveys the intended message. Thanks for your feedback! God bless, Meg

missing word to in sentenc=e Mary Lou invited two other new arrivals to join her.....

Grand and admirable account.
Thank you so much for writing this

backed

Thanks! I fixed it:)

The pitch, the cover and the story itself are just amazing. I wish you the best with this, and I think it will do well. Thank you for sharing your experiences; there is a lot to learn here. Backed with pleasure.

Amy
Love Match

Thanks so much! Meg

missing word to in sentenc=e Mary Lou invited two other new arrivals to join her.....

Grand and admirable account.
Thank you so much for writing this

backed