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Everyone thinks the life of an author is sunshine and unicorns. The book signings, the Amazon reviews and the attention are all very exciting. Then there are the days where I struggle and get so frustrated.

Last week when I returned home from the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, I just wasn't able to write. Then I remembered something Cindy Ratzlaff told us in a workshop. "Write in the morning before any interruptions, while your mind is fresh and open." I wrote longhand in a red notebook, perched on my sofa in the early morning hours. Even the dogs were still asleep. Three stories were finished before my coffee cooled. My writing mojo had returned! This was one of those sunshine and unicorn days.

Yesterday started out as a not-so-good day. I was overwhelmed trying to figure out how to get Angel Bumps marketed across the country - inexpensively. As just one person, how was I going to accomplish this?

My head swirled with thoughts until I felt dizzy. I started to confuse my options. When I get overwhelmed, tears are never far behind. And so it was yesterday, three times.

Mother's Day is coming soon and it's one of the hardest holidays if your mom is gone. I wanted people to get the book's message that loved ones are still with us and never far away. One reviewer said, "Hold onto your heart. You're going on an emotional, loving journey. You will never feel alone again." I wanted to get that message out.

Driving to our family business I chatted with God, as I often do. I usually just tell Him I'm so grateful for all my blessings. I ask if He needs me to help Him with anyone, just send them my way. But then I added a request. "God, I really need help getting Angel Bumps out in the world. Please help me with this. Since I quit my full-time job to focus on writing, money has been tight and it's stressful. I need Your help." I felt tears sting, but I pushed them away. (Okay, so I really mopped my face.)

Within an hour, Jeanie Brosius King called asking if I'd do her radio show "B-Now Beautiful Network of Women." The show promotes and inspires women across the country. I said, "Wow, God works fast."

Within the next hour, I researched two large book distribution companies and spoke to one to discuss some options.

Before lunch, someone in a spiritual store that sells Angel Bumps suggested I contact one of the store's distributors who specializes in spiritual items and books. The store buys quite a bit from this company. I hadn't even asked; the information was just offered.

And then the customers arrived at our pressure washer sales and service business, and they kept coming and coming.

I'd planned to attend a mixer with a friend the evening before and considered cancelling. I was exhausted. But Kae is a dear friend and we always have fun, so I changed my mind and off we went.

On the drive Kae told me about her vacation in South Dakota with her mom and all of her siblings. Her mom is one of my favorite people. I asked, "How was your mom with everyone together at your old house?" Kae smiled and said, "She was quiet. I think she wished my dad was there with us." And here came my tears again. Damn sentimental gene!

The mixer was jam packed. It's easy to get connected and have a long conversation with people, but I was determined to spread my wings and network. The first two women I met were friends of Kae's. A gentleman wearing a website shirt passed me. I grabbed his arm and said, "I need to chat with you about our family business." We discussed optimizing search engines for a few minutes and then he asked what I did. I showed him Angel Bumps and explained the meaning. He said, "Have I got a story for you!"

He told me a story about veterans that I hope to put in the next book in the Angel Bumps series. He had goosebumps telling the story, and I had tears. He passed me napkins from the food table to mop my face. I plan to contact the woman who owns that story.

Next I said hello to a woman who sells insurance. When she saw Angel Bumps, she had a story about her daughter who sees relatives who have passed. She has conversations with them all the time. She's going to have her daughter call me.

I headed back to Kae and her friends, and God had me in His pocket.

One woman produces podcasts. She has clients who are always looking for someone to promote. I'm going to have her record my first official podcast.

Her other friend has several talents. She runs a Mastermind-like course that meets weekly, owns a workout center, and is involved in other ventures. Kae and I decided we'd attend the 3 p.m. Friday meetings to get more focused, less overwhelmed. That thought almost made me cry.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted from the tears and exhilarated from all of the opportunities presented that day.

Maybe I need to ask for help more often. I asked God if he'd fill out a Marketing Director application for Angel Bumps.

I think He smiled.

I cried with gratitude.

- Anne Bardsley

Anne Bardsley lives in St Petersburg, Florida, with her "wrinkle maker" of a husband and two spoiled cockatoos. She's still recovering from raising five children. She is so happy she didn't strangle them as teenagers as they've given her beautiful grandchildren. She is the author of How I Earned My Wrinkles: Musings on Marriage, Motherhood and Menopause and Angel Bumps. She blogs at www.annebardsley.com.