“If my writing encourages someone - then I’ve accomplished something.”

A simple statement made by Betty Demaree sums up the reason she’s a published author for the first time. “The Master’s Message” is a collection of short stories and poems Demaree has compiled.
In the introduction the author acknowledges that the short stories and poems were inspired by God. She gives Him the praise for any “gifts and talents” she has. She writes, “If just one person is blessed or comes to know our Lord because of this book, then all the time and effort has not been in vain.”

In an interview with The Versailles Republican, Demaree said she has been writing for many years. The journey that led her to actually getting her creations in print is one of inspiration.

“After I read an article in the paper (the Osgood Journal) I began to correspond with a young man, Brian, who was in prison for murder,” she began. Through correspondence, she soon realized that while this young man she was writing to had done something terribly wrong, he had also done something right - he had given his life to Christ from behind bars. She continued writing to encourage him, but found his writing also encouraged her (he is a published author as well). She would soon make friends with Brian’s mother, Barbara.That friendship would ultimately lead her to the publishing company for her first book.

“Barbara recommended AuthorHouse in Bloomington,” Demaree noted, saying while she had checked on other places, that seemed to be the place God was leading her to have her thoughts put into print. “They were absolutely great to work with,” she noted. She said when the time was right, the book was published and is now available to purchase. The 239-page easy read short stories and poems is available at the Versailles Super Valu (also where Demaree works), Odyssey, and Rainbow Gifts, all in Versailles.

The compilation of short stories begins with a story close to the author’s heart, a story about her sister, Pam, who died of complications from diabetes in 1986. Other stories follow that will touch your heart and lift you up as you read the fictional renditions Demaree has created.

Born in Maine, Demaree said her parents brought her to Indiana where she has lived most of her life. She and husband, Jack, still reside in Versailles, and have two children, Sandy Pickett and Ty Demaree, and two grandchildren. Granddaughter Pam is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and has poems published in the book as well.

Demaree thanks a host of friends for their continued support. She is active in various ministries in her church, First Assembly of God in Madison. She had been writing a newsletter for the church where many of her short stories were shared. She also wrote inspirational thoughts.

What’s next for this Versailles grandmother? Well, Demaree says she has been working on a novel and again when the “time is right” she feels she’ll publish again.