Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A Tribute to Florence Case


A Tribute from Jessica Ferguson...
My sweet, sweet friend Florence Moyer (she wrote as Florence Case) has gone to be with the Lord. Flo was my RWA Chapter - Faith, Hope and Love friend. We never met, but oh, the love and encouragement she gave to me via email. Once when I was particularly low, she offered to read my proposal. That doesn’t happen very often—at least not in my little corner of the writing world. That’s how I knew Flo was a gift from God—she offered, I didn’t have to ask. And she told me that she didn’t often make that kind of offer but felt God connected us.

Flo was a former instructor for Writer's Digest School. She taught for them for 5 years, with over 300 students during that time, did critiquing of proposals and whole books for them in a separate section of the School and she also worked as a freelance critiquer for about seven years. She sold three secular historical romances and five Silhouettes, and two Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspenses. Melissa Endlich was her editor.

Flo and I often ‘talked’ about ideas from God and writing for God. She believed if an idea wouldn’t leave you alone, it must be important.

She told me: “If writing is your dream, please do not give up on it. I recently read that there are two ways to write as a Christian--to be called to it by God, and to just write and offer it as a gift to God. Isn't that something? I'm not sure which mine is. ”

Flo's friendship was special to me. She didn't rush through her posts or her explanations. She spent time composing just the right words and encouragement. Once I opened an email from her and read, “I DO NOT want you to lose your passion. So persevere, Jess. Write from the heart and your emotions. And don't give up. Flo"

Flo's gift wasn't only writing for God--it was encouraging others. I'm going to miss this very special lady and receiving her wise counsel. I pray she knew just how much I cherished her friendship.

Flo's last Love Inspired Suspense hit the stands in November. Let's honor her memory by buying Mistletoe and Murder. I know you won't be disappointed because her writing partner was God.


Comments from Missy Tippens…
Flo was a very special person and such an encourager. We emailed for the last year, spurring each other on in our deadlines and "racing" each other on work on proposals.

About a month before her death, I wrote to her to check in and told her about a rejection I'd had. When I found out that she wasn't doing well, I told her that any of my writing woes were trivial compared to what she was going through. And she wrote this back to me (yes, I saved her emails):

"But they weren't, and aren't!!! Your work is so important to God. I got to understand the difference between "knowledge of God" and "being saved in the heart" by reading a book. You could do that for someone someday!"

What an encourager who knew just the right thing to say. I'll miss her.

Terri Reed here. We would love to give a copy of Florence's book away. Please leave a comment. And if you've already had a chance to read Mistletoe and Murder, please let us know how you enjoyed it.

15 comments:

Debby Giusti said...

What a beautiful lady!!! I know heaven is brighter because she's there giving glory to God -- just as she did during her time on earth.

Pamela Tracy said...

Oh my. What a special lady. Thank you Jessica and Missy for posting today. Her advice about knowing whether you are called to it or offering it up is something I've never heard before.

Margaret Daley said...

My heart and prayers go out to her family.
Thanks for sharing about Flo.
Margaret

Missy Tippens said...

I just got back from the grocery store. I found Flo's book on the shelf and grabbed it up. Of course, I had to fight tears through the rest of the store. But I'm looking forward to reading this book.

I never met Flo in person, but I miss her. She truly touched my life.

One more thing. I wanted to share with you all the last thing she said to me. It was in an email:

"I just pray that I have glorified God since turning my life over to him about 7 years ago."

Yes, Flo, you did.

Lenora said...

I knew Flo from our local writing groups but I had not seen her for a long time. She moved out in the country to take care of her autistic son and for a while, she didn't write. But when she came back to writing she was anxious to begin a new chapter in her writing life. She'd found a home with Steeple Hill and I'm so glad for that. We can't understand why God called Flo home, but we do understand that she is healed now and she's in that great library up there reading away and probably talking about writing with the angels. Prayers for her husband and son.

Lenora :)

Anonymous said...

This is such a tribute to her. My prayers go out to her family and friends. Thank you so much for sharing you touching stories of her.Blesssings.
tarenn98[st]yahoo[dot]com

Susan Sleeman said...

I didn't know Florence, but your tribute speaks to her character and love for the Lord. It's is so sad to lose one you care for, but from your comments I can just imagine God smiling at her and saying well done thou good and faithful servant.

Margaret Metz said...

She sounds like such a special lady. I can tell from how she touched your lives and the things you shared about her. I pray her family is comforted and given the peace only God can give them.

I would love to read her book.
leesmithwriting(at)yahoo(dot)com

ladycat said...

Florence sounds like a truly wonderful lady. I wish I had known her.

The world will be poorer without her, but Heaven is richer.

Pamela Tracy said...

Thank you everyone for stopping by and honoring Flo. Terri, thank you for thinking of this.

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful tribute...

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Emma said...

My prayers go out to her family. This book sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Narelle said...

I knew Flo online through FHL and she was an amazing lady, always willing to help and encourage other writers. Thanks for posting a beautiful tribute to Flo.

Dianna Shuford said...

My heart goes out to Flo's family and friends. Writer's like Flo show the rest of us the true meaning of giving your life, vocation, and words over to God and letting Him have his way in all things.

Thanks for allowing Flo to encourage us all!

Giveaway Lady said...

I have never heard of this writer but your post makes me wish I had. Will have to pick up one of her books next time. Thanks!
esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com