Tag: Authors

Biographies and Contest

Biographies are obviously popular, we see a new celebrity promoting their book nearly every month. It’s human nature to want to get inside another person’s head, to understand what makes them tick.

The first biography I remember reading was Nicholas and Alexandra: An Intimate Account of the Last Romanovs and the Fall of Imperial Russia, a little light summer reading for a high school kid. I was fascinated with Russian society and drank in every detail of this doomed couple. Since then, I’ve read a number of other biographies, but as I write this, I am realizing that almost all of them were on political figures. I guess that makes sense, though, considering my love of history and desire to learn from the past to make better choices in the future.

Recently, though, I read The Soul of it All, the memoir of singer/songwriter Michael Bolton. I’ve been a fan for many years and knew a bit about his struggle to achieve the success he has, but this book gave me a new appreciation for his dedication to his passion. It is admirable Mr. Bolton was so candid about his struggles.

I love writing, and when I’m in the zone on a book I feel freer than anywhere else. Even when I’m not actually writing the zone can continue as the world I am creating takes over my brain. I love that feeling, but I don’t know if I could give up all the security I have achieved through my day job to focus solely on my writing. Mr. Bolton faced eviction and hunger more than once pursuing his passion. How often do we encounter someone with that kind of drive and confidence in their abilities? Too often I hear stories on the news or even in the office of people complaining about life not being fair, that they deserve more than they have. I’ve even been guilty of this myself, but this book was a good reminder that hard work is truly the key to success. I plan to keep the book near my writing area to help me remember good things do come to those who persevere and, of course, to make me smile at the sight of one of my favorite artists.

Just for fun, is there someone  you would like to read a biography on that doesn’t have one out yet?  Share their name and why in comments and you could be the winner of  a pre-order of my upcoming release Jessie

The four Cole boys suffer abuse at the hands of an alcoholic father, while largely being left to their own devices by a heartbroken and overworked mother. Their adventures on their island home have become a welcome escape, and one of the only things in life the boys can truly rely on. Jessie, the youngest and a dreamer, becomes enamored with US plans for manned space flight and its race to the moon, stirring his own dreams of one day becoming an astronaut. In a strange twist of fate, it is the space program and the momentum it gains that abruptly brings their beloved island life to an end. The family is forced to move to the city and start anew.
Releasing July 20.2014

A Dugout in the Desert

A Closet full of journals

 

By the time I depart for heaven, the journals I in my closet will have multiplied to over a hundred. It may hold that many now.

So what will happen to the many books I’ve written over time? Will anyone ever want to read them?

The dear ones in my family have listened to me for all, or most, of their lives. They pretty well know what I think, and what I’m going to say. I feel deeply loved by them, but I’m not sure they’re going to want to read my journals. That doesn’t hurt my feeling at all.

I write the journals as if they were letters to God, even though He already knows everything that’s going on in, and around, me. I also have in mind a reader who might like reading people’s journals for the fun of it.

If no one wants to read them, they can be used in several different ways. They can be as landfill, or as bricks for a handy-dandy little dugout in the Arizona desert. Surely so much thick paper, cardboard, cloth, and even ink (that will run in a rainstorm) would come in handy for use as construction materials.

They might be scary to read. I’m not always the nicest kid on the block. They won’t be indecent, or vicious, though. That’s just not me.

Writing helps me work through things, but if I write from hurt or in an angry fit, I shred the pages and throw the scraps away.

My son has a good idea. He says they could be disassembled and scanned. Apparently, new machines do miraculous things. It is a good idea, but I don’t want to take the time, nor do I have the equipment.

I honestly never meant to create a problem with my passion for journaling. Bill says it saved my sanity and I heartily agree. It aided my healing tremendously. But maybe the need for them will be over when I’m gone.

If I could, I would leave them for my future self, if I were my child, grandchild, or great grandchild.

If I could, I’d warehouse them for a hundred years so they couldn’t possibly hurt anyone. They’d be read for whatever someone could get out of them—if anything. They warehouse people’s bodies, so why can’t somebody warehouse my journals?

I don’t think I’ll leave them to anybody in particular. God can sort it all out when the time comes. That little dugout in the desert is sounding better and better. Or how about a nice campfire? Even that many journals wouldn’t make a bonfire…people could roast marshmallows…or…or…I don’t know. What do you think?

“Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.” Ecclesiastes 12:12

Receivers and Transmitters

Blue with Sea Shell
by DiVoran Lites

Dear Onisha,

I’ve just had an epiphany and I wanted to write and tell you about it. I ran into a young woman I can’t say where. I’d met her casually before. We started a conversation. We both enjoyed it, I like to listen (most of the time), and she seemed to need to talk. She was so funny that I’d love to see her as a stand-up comedian or a blogger. Do you ever meet people you just know could write if they wanted to? I mentioned that we had a blog-site, but warned her that we were Christians. She hesitated. “But we’re nice,” I said. So then she started talking about nice people versus not nice people. She likes nice ones, as do we. We went on talking for another thirty minutes.

As we each went on our way I wanted to know that the Master had been there with us. Suddenly I had that wonderful sense of knowing that God sometimes bestows on us. The thought: My dear child, I heard and I have answered. It is finished, came into my head. I was so thrilled I wanted to sing and dance. Wow! No begging. No figuring things out. No fasting. No prayer list. Done.

Years ago, when I first became a Christian. Someone taught me that above all I was supposed to be an intercessor. I read books about it and learned the protocols for being effective, but I was always surprised if I heard any results of my prayers. I always figured I just wasn’t doing it right, or I wasn’t trying hard enough.

Perhaps it doesn’t demand, “trying”. Maybe God has another way. Could it happen like this–the spirit in us, which is filled with the Spirit of Christ, is a transmitter/receiver that takes in impressions and discernments, and sends quick, silent prayers to God. He then sees to everything–the healings, deliverances, and the continued poring out of awareness and His love. Could it be that praying doesn’t always have hard work?

Love,

DiVoran

Dear DiVoran,

I love your epiphany!! Why do we keep beating ourselves up because we aren’t serving God in exactly the same way as someone else, especially someone we admire? He created us to be unique. Do you think maybe he uses some people to fast and pray without ceasing, and then uses someone like you who is a wonderful listener and accepts people freely to carry out His mission? (I thank Onisha for this wonderfully encouraging compliment).

I am sure at least half of the people attending church feel the same way you and I have felt. It’s so wonderful to learn we just have TO BE and God will take care of the rest.

Love,

Onisha

The Master says:

My Dear Child,

Watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I do the praying in you and for you. I keep you present before God. Trust me

Matthew 11:29, Romans 8:26, and John 14:1