When I retired from business a few years back, I knew that I wanted an avocation to keep me busy and motivated in life. I thought about it for a while before realizing that I always wanted to write a book and for the first time in my life I had the time to devote to it. Little did I know at the time that I would get the writing bug and really throw my heart and soul into it. But I asked God for His help and guidance and over time it came together.
My first book was a fun family book about animals, Honey We Shoulda' Bought the Ark (it's still available on Kindle), but it really didn't get me where I wanted to go material wise. I love animals, though, and it was a great place to start.
While thinking about where I really wanted to take my writing,, I continued with my North Florida Writer Blog and published a number of short stories as well as almost daily blog entries. To write well, it takes practice and I figured writing about a broad spectrum of things would help make my work better.
But it was only in the Fall of 2016 that I embarked on my real adventure, writing a fictional novel for the first time. It required dedication to a time line, staying on focus and continually reviewing my work. I also taught myself how to self-publish with the help of the Kindle program, a wonderful platform that makes writing something that almost anyone with the desire can do. And now that first fiction political action book, Thou Shall Not Take Our Land has been published, coming on line just this past Monday and I am beginning to see it get some interest as my marketing journey begins.
There were times along the way when I questioned myself and I repeatedly asked God to guide me. In so doing it came to mind that I also had published a large number of Christian blogs on my website over the years as well as a significant number of devotionals for Protestant daily devotional publications. So, I thought that when I needed to clear my head of any roadblocks on my road to fiction, why not as a parallel effort put together a book of readings with some of my Christian commentaries. After all, I received a number of compliments from readers who enjoyed my work, so I added another book in the mix simultaneously. And now, just this afternoon, my book A Blogger Shares His Faith: Fifty Christian Readings to Help Focus on Life, is now ready and can be pre-ordered in advance of the actual publication date of March 20th.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever anticipate having two books published back to back, but God put me on a track that I knew I had to complete. And it only whets my appetite for more, as both of my books are ones for which sequels are a natural consequence. I guess I have my work cut out for me in the months ahead.
Now why did I make this the subject of my weekly Sunday Morning Coming Down blog? Well, I didn't do it to brag for I have no idea to what degree the books will be successful in a sales sense. But I do know that I was driven with passion to produce them as a result of asking God what I should do with the rest of my life. And that's an important thing for those of us leaving the daily working world, for we have many good years left and gifts to share with others and it's important to find what's appropriate in whatever our circumstances may be. I thank God every day for putting me on the path where I find myself. It feels good, it feels right and it has energized me to a high degree.
I wish similar results for anyone else needing direction and guidance in life. Turn to God for that direction; He's always standing by. It's up to us, however, to ask for that guidance. Seek and ye shall find.
Here are the links to both of my new books (just copy and paste to your browser to open):
Thou Shall Not Take Our Land
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBY7C4T
A Blogger Shares His Faith
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJGZR99/
My first book was a fun family book about animals, Honey We Shoulda' Bought the Ark (it's still available on Kindle), but it really didn't get me where I wanted to go material wise. I love animals, though, and it was a great place to start.
While thinking about where I really wanted to take my writing,, I continued with my North Florida Writer Blog and published a number of short stories as well as almost daily blog entries. To write well, it takes practice and I figured writing about a broad spectrum of things would help make my work better.
But it was only in the Fall of 2016 that I embarked on my real adventure, writing a fictional novel for the first time. It required dedication to a time line, staying on focus and continually reviewing my work. I also taught myself how to self-publish with the help of the Kindle program, a wonderful platform that makes writing something that almost anyone with the desire can do. And now that first fiction political action book, Thou Shall Not Take Our Land has been published, coming on line just this past Monday and I am beginning to see it get some interest as my marketing journey begins.
There were times along the way when I questioned myself and I repeatedly asked God to guide me. In so doing it came to mind that I also had published a large number of Christian blogs on my website over the years as well as a significant number of devotionals for Protestant daily devotional publications. So, I thought that when I needed to clear my head of any roadblocks on my road to fiction, why not as a parallel effort put together a book of readings with some of my Christian commentaries. After all, I received a number of compliments from readers who enjoyed my work, so I added another book in the mix simultaneously. And now, just this afternoon, my book A Blogger Shares His Faith: Fifty Christian Readings to Help Focus on Life, is now ready and can be pre-ordered in advance of the actual publication date of March 20th.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever anticipate having two books published back to back, but God put me on a track that I knew I had to complete. And it only whets my appetite for more, as both of my books are ones for which sequels are a natural consequence. I guess I have my work cut out for me in the months ahead.
Now why did I make this the subject of my weekly Sunday Morning Coming Down blog? Well, I didn't do it to brag for I have no idea to what degree the books will be successful in a sales sense. But I do know that I was driven with passion to produce them as a result of asking God what I should do with the rest of my life. And that's an important thing for those of us leaving the daily working world, for we have many good years left and gifts to share with others and it's important to find what's appropriate in whatever our circumstances may be. I thank God every day for putting me on the path where I find myself. It feels good, it feels right and it has energized me to a high degree.
I wish similar results for anyone else needing direction and guidance in life. Turn to God for that direction; He's always standing by. It's up to us, however, to ask for that guidance. Seek and ye shall find.
Here are the links to both of my new books (just copy and paste to your browser to open):
Thou Shall Not Take Our Land
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBY7C4T
A Blogger Shares His Faith
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJGZR99/
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