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The List
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About the author
Deborah Heal
18 books164 followersI was born in Eldorado, Illinois (Be sure to pronounce that with a long A.) but grew up in Woodburn, a tiny village in Macoupin County. We lived in a house over 100 years old and I often wondered about the people who had lived there so long before.
My husband Bob and I farmed and raised a family there in Macoupin County. When the kids were old enough I went back to college, majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. Afterwards, I taught high school English, including creative writing, composition, grammar, and literature. I loved teaching young people, except for grading compositions of writers who didn't want to write, leaving me no time to do what I had always wanted to do—write.
I remember one time when I was four. I scribbled furiously on my paper, and then took it to show Mommy. “Is it writing?” I asked. “No, not yet,” she answered. I went busily back to scribbling with my stubby pencil in just the same way, it seemed to me, grownup writers did, hopeful that the next time I showed her, the lead on the paper would have been transmuted into fine words.
I was in 8th grade when I first began to get the dream of being a published author. We had to write a story and mine was a scary one about being unjustly confined to a mental hospital. (The author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may have stolen my idea.) My teacher wrote on the top of my paper:
Be sure to give me a signed copy of your first book!
It's been a long time since 8th grade, but that dream at last came true with my first book Time and Again.
My husband Bob and I farmed and raised a family there in Macoupin County. When the kids were old enough I went back to college, majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. Afterwards, I taught high school English, including creative writing, composition, grammar, and literature. I loved teaching young people, except for grading compositions of writers who didn't want to write, leaving me no time to do what I had always wanted to do—write.
I remember one time when I was four. I scribbled furiously on my paper, and then took it to show Mommy. “Is it writing?” I asked. “No, not yet,” she answered. I went busily back to scribbling with my stubby pencil in just the same way, it seemed to me, grownup writers did, hopeful that the next time I showed her, the lead on the paper would have been transmuted into fine words.
I was in 8th grade when I first began to get the dream of being a published author. We had to write a story and mine was a scary one about being unjustly confined to a mental hospital. (The author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may have stolen my idea.) My teacher wrote on the top of my paper:
Be sure to give me a signed copy of your first book!
It's been a long time since 8th grade, but that dream at last came true with my first book Time and Again.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 17, 2016
The List: an inspirational short story by Deborah Heal
Have read many of the author's other works and have enjoyed them.
This one starts out with Bill and he's dying, within a very short time and he's trying to finish his list.
He has special notecards that he's sending a note to all on the list. Interesting to learn why and what they contain.
He's upset his granddaughter hasn't come to visit and will she make it in time for the special note he has for her?
I received this book from the author via email in exchange for my honest review.
August 22, 2016
The premise reminded me of the old TV show "The Millionaire," but there are no million-dollar checks being delivered here, rather something much more precious. This short story is based on someone the author knew who committed to use his last days with terminal cancer to be "a witness to the Gospel." As a grandmother, I was especially touched by Bill's concern for his young grand daughter and their frank relationship. The author gently prods me into thinking about my own relationships and whether or not I am sharing the faith that is so important to me while I still have life and health to do it.
January 3, 2015
A short story, but what a wonderful idea and such a powerful message!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews