Into the Fire

This self-photo (my original "selfie") back in the day was taken with my brand new 35mm Konica which I was just given for my 20th birthday right before my friend and I took off for Great Britain and Europe on our grand almost 3-month adventure. Of course I titled it: nicole by nicole. Silly girl.

I loved that camera and it took fabulous pictures. I miss it. It was stolen many, many years later.

We both worked for a year to save our money to make this trip of a lifetime. It satisfied my need to do any "big" traveling, but over time she went back more than once to places we hadn't gone, having caught "the bug" to see the world. I went to Longacres Racetrack where working with horses fulfilled a dream. 

Lord, you know how I feel. Thank you is never enough. You've protected me time and time again from myself and foolish ways. Thank you for rescuing me. I'm still desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

When all you want to do is kick back in the beauty and read a good novel . . . 

Father, you didn't have to leave this beauty for us to see, experience, appreciate, and celebrate. But you did. Thank you is never enough. Please help us to know your love deeper. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Here's a real oldie from the Beatles. I actually like their older songs better than their psychedelic journeys with music and other things.

Father, only you know hearts and souls. Please continue to reach those who need you. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;

   with you the wicked cannot dwell.

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;

   you hate all who do wrong.

You destroy those who tell lies;

   bloodthirsty and deceitful men

   the Lord abhors. 

Psalm 5:4-6 (NIV)

Authors In Crisis . . . is a real thing. No one expects or looks forward to a real crisis. Some crises affect everyone, some affect only certain people, and others are strictly personal. Authors are people with the same personal issues as everyone else. Some authors will discuss them. Others will not.

But let's take a brief look at the personal part of "crisis" for an author. What might that be? The term "writers block" has been tossed around for a long time because it can be excruciatingly real. Some authors never have to face it and, as a thoughtless result, often offer ill-advised casual advice which borders on the ridiculous. To an author who wants to write but sits with either pen in hand or hands on the keyboard and nothing comes to mind even when every effort has been made to find words to string together, the anxiety level amps up considerably with each passing day. After some time, it becomes a personal crisis. 

After finishing a book and experiencing the wonderful satisfaction that accompanies it, as time moves on and no new story material appears to take shape, the author begins the fearful consideration of having written their final manuscript, finished their final story. It's a personal crisis if time lingers with that writing emptiness.

Now non-writers/authors can pooh-pooh these situations as being nothing like a real crisis, but they have no idea of the emotional dread that's involved.

Keep in mind authors deal with the everyday of whatever comprises their lives and loves. They're not immune to hardship or trauma or physical pain. Human beings do face crises from time to time, some way more than others. Having said that, a personal crisis for anyone is exactly that when the anxiety, fear, and/or self-doubt in abilities to handle circumstances enter and hang around their daily lifetime routines. 

As a Christian author, my only "go-to" is God. Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. The Holy Spirit speaks the inspirations into my heart. I know "apart from Him, I can do nothing". That doesn't eliminate me from personal crises nor does it imply that the solutions are instantaneous. Sometimes the paths need straightening, and until the Lord deems it's time to get out the bulldozer and make them level, we worry in the waiting. We are not excluded from the same pain, same concerns, same trials as any other authors and writers – or any other people. 

Authors and writers, keep checking your radar and stay in touch with those authors and writers you know. Never be afraid to check in once in a while and/or to ask if things are okay if you suspect there could be a need. This is the next step after AIN, a follow-up, "the extra mile", to encouragement and affirmation. Crises do pass, but the endurance level can feel undoable and the complementary guilt from feeling weak is an added burden. And if you're experiencing a personal crisis, please do share it with someone you've found trustworthy. It can mean a quicker "fix". 

Father, you know your authors and writers. You know exactly what they need and what they don't. Please show them your mercy and lead them through the hard times. And may we always be available to help or receive help when needed. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Written like a fictional biography, the blurb for The Famous One goes something like this:

Joey Parr’s journey from a troubled childhood and rebellious adolescence leads him into a career in film and reluctant celebrity. The Famous One chronicles his life and allows the reader to share in his beginnings, his awkward fame, and the love which finally finds him when he least expects it. As his dream of having a family unfolds, he is stunned to learn something is still missing from his near perfect life.

The Famous One takes an introverted yet passionate character of few words and deep running emotion and puts him into the spotlight of fame where he is hungry for value, substance, and real love but struggles to find them.

You can find this novel here or here. 

Father, thank you for the incredible hard-hitting inspiration for this novel when I had no idea this would become a story. Thank you for it all – every story, every word. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

AIN aka Authors In Need. Yes. Authors. Many successful authors probably experience the same things those in the shadows face. Maybe with them, there's more potential for burnout, stress. But all authors need different kinds of help and affirmation. Those starting out need to understand what they're facing. If they desire to go with traditional publishing, they need to know it could be a long journey and what it takes to make the proper steps to advance the process. Those who decide to go the indie or vanity publishing route need to know those very same things in addition to several more. 

If you have those answers and experiences to assist a beginner in any way you can, shouldn't you? Whether it's simply a post on your website, an article on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, a podcast, or whatever social media agency you traverse, shouldn't you throw one out there once in a while to help that random author hopeful? 

If you've met a future author and have had the time to read their manuscript or a partial of something they're developing, and if you have a connection to someone who might be interested in them, wouldn't it be benevolent to make contact possible between the two? 

The world labels it "giving back". The Bible calls it "reaping what you sow". Simplify it to offering your help to someone who might need it when you become aware of it. It's a kindness, a considerate act, a remembrance of how hard the journey's been for you or would've been if you hadn't had a measure of help along the way. 

AIN can often apply to any of us when a note of affirmation is just as important as a good review. 

Father, help us all to do the right things by each other, to be helpful and benevolent if there's any way we can. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

These two had fabulous voices, incredible harmony, and some dynamite love songs for the drama-filled teen years. Great songs for that era. 

Father, only you know hearts and minds. Only you save souls, love unconditionally, and can forgive us. Thank you for rescuing me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

AHA . . . Authors Helping Authors: Authors who promote other authors when they have a new release. Authors who intentionally read those authors' new releases so they can review them or tell their readers about those books. Authors who make a point of keeping in touch with other authors just to say "Hi" or to encourage them when they see they have a new book to be released or just after its release. Authors who randomly feature other authors on their websites or blogs or podcasts, etc. 

Those bestselling authors are busy people. They have their own book promotions/marketing tasks/book signings/appearances/conferences. And not to mention those contracts for the next book or three. Still . . . 

Authors, when you can offer an encouraging word, a promotion of some kind, possibly reading a novel from an author you might have communicated with but don't know personally – the effective moments you can offer another author cannot be measured in value. Sometimes even a mention of their work will mean so much and possibly increase their sales. 

Authors Helping Authors is a meaningful endeavor and whatever an author can do to help another is incredibly appreciated. 

Father, please guide your authors to be benevolent to others, helpful, encouraging, a blessing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. 

John 12:42-43 (NIV)