Looking out the Window: Angela Shelton Talks about Work and Reward and Introduces Collapse: The Death of Friendship, the First Book in her Collapse Series of Post Apocalyptic Stories

A Warm Welcome to Angela Shelton

Angela will give away a signed, print copy of  Collapse:  The Death of Friendship. To enter to win click here. (U.S. residents)

Angela shares her insights about working and getting a reward for our efforts, or not.

Covered in Mud

We love our furry children. Ricky and Lucy are always up to something. One of my favorite “bad dog” stories is when we’d first purchased the farm and were out working on fences. We brought the dogs with us, but since they are both runners, they had to be contained. It was too hot to leave them in the truck while we worked, so we set up a dog run between two trees.

Each of them had their own lead, so they could freely run about eighty feet, in the shade of the trees, or out in the sun to bask if they preferred. They often played together, so there was also the ability for them to be together or move apart. They had plenty of room to entertain themselves while we slaved away in the scorching sun, repairing wires and clearing the fence lines.

After the workday ended, we checked back on the two hooligans under the trees. I honestly expected to see them taking a nap. Yes, I was naïve then. I know better now.

As soon as they saw us coming, they ran to the front of the trees from where they’d been busy working, covered in mud. Apparently, their job for the day was to dig a tunnel to China, or so they thought. They were so excited they weren’t even ashamed of the fact that they were filthy with red Georgia clay. Stains covered their paws, snouts, bellies, and tails. 

The hole was deep, so it was obvious they’d teamed up and devoted their day to accomplish the goal. You should have seen their faces, huge doggie smiles, happy with all they’d accomplished. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t need a gigantic hole dug under our tree. We also didn’t want filthy pets to bring into our vehicle or our clean home. They didn’t get rewarded for their efforts. What a disappointment to them, I’m sure.

It made me think back to some of my previous work efforts. I’d work for hours at a project and couldn’t wait to share how much I’d accomplished. I’d have a grin a mile wide on my face, ready to have praise heaped upon me. 

How frustrating when I’d find out the project wasn’t what someone needed, or the method used was flawed, or any of a zillion other reasons that I don’t get positive feedback. As a younger professional, I’ll admit I didn’t handle this type of rejection well. 

Most of us go through a growing phase of learning how to deal with constructive criticism. As you mature, you learn to take in those minor blows to the ego and grow from them. Some who’ve been around long enough can take it one level above that—how to learn from criticism that isn’t constructive. 

Let me share a life lesson with you, my precious reader. If you want to move in a positive direction in life, you need to learn how to deal with your mistakes positively. Not all people, even those who end up in authority, can provide feedback in a way that builds up instead of tearing down. Accept the concepts they are sharing and evaluate whether there is a basis for improvement. Use any nuggets you can find to improve your end product.

Never stop growing. As soon as you do, you’re dead in the water. And that isn’t where any of us want to be.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

About the Collapse Series

 The stories revolve around in a small-town Georgia family who turn to farming just in the nick of time to be self-sufficient when the supply chains in the world collapse. Calling on her experience on her farm in small-town Georgia, Angela also drew on her husband’s military and law enforcement understanding, and her own healthcare connections to create her new series of books. 

About Collapse: The Death of Friendship 

On the verge of losing friendships forever, sixteen-year-old Jan Worthington decides never to trust people again. But when she rejects all strangers in a collapsing society, she must learn to be smart about outsiders before her family has to fight off the marauders headed their way.

As society collapsed…

…Jan wanted a small piece of normal.

Then the boy showed up. Would he be a blessing or a curse?

Jan’s life had been wonderful. She was a cheerleader and did all the things a 16-year-old was supposed to do. Life was great until the day the trucks stopped coming.

She never knew what a supply chain was until it broke.

Jan’s spirits were low. All she wanted was her old life back. She wanted friends again. Now, each day was harder than the one before. Her father went into protection mode, just like every other dad in town.

Could her faith help her through it all? Would the adversity strengthen them?

You’ll love this chilling post-apocalyptic story because it’s so close to possible the tension will keep you turning the pages.

Buy on Amazon

Bio: Angela D. Shelton, healthcare accountant during the work week, farmer in the evenings and weekends, now moonlighting as an author of the new  Collapse novels.

Born and raised in Erie County, Pennsylvania, Angela moved to Georgia just seven short years ago where she added the title of farmer to her resume. She lives on Two Oaks Ranch with her husband, Tom, two huskies, a dozen chickens, and a herd of Angus cows. Faith and family are her most important assets in life and in her writing. Ms. Shelton is a member of the Christian Indie Publishing Association, the American Christian Fiction Writers, and Word Weavers International.

Connect with Angela 

Visit the farm  here

Check out her blog  here

See featured authors here