My View of Life - Never Better!

What's an Author

Become an author--world renown? Sure! Who wouldn't want to do it. Fame, money, power, prestige...making your mark in the world. Getting your truest feelings out. You know, the ones that everyone will latch on to, swallow hook, line and sinker, and...take to the deepest corners of their heart. Just imagine them all internalizing, conceptualizing, and mesmerizing over your words. Grab a pen. Pick a subject. Write!

This wasn't the case at all with me. It all started 10 years ago. I knew one thing. I enjoyed writing. I'd filled 13 journals with the most profound yearnings of my soul. I considered writing a book a time or two. A children's book, 5,000 words--max. But, there was that night. My mother had just passed away. I stayed with my dad after all our other loved ones returned to their homes. I was fast asleep at 11 p.m., and awoke with a start three hours later. I was perspiring, my mind was in a frenzy, and my heart was pounding. It was a dream! Maybe even a vision. So vivid, so clear...the story of my mother and father, young, vibrant, and full of zeal. But it wasn't. It was fictional. And yet, the romance would transcend time. The thoughts poured into my heart and mind. I grabbed a pen and paper and wrote furiously. I kept at it until light glistened from the East. It was morning.

I shared it over and over with my family members. They were kind and supportive, but in every case--dubious. Regardless, I'd seen the vision or at least felt the inspiration, therefore I would write it. Two and a half years later I proudly presented the completed manuscript to my wife. She's superb in English Literature, and a real romance novelist enthusiast--the perfect person to relish in the exquisite writ of her husband.

She agreed to read it. Has anyone seen the movie, "Funny Farm" staring Chevy Chase? There's the part where he took his wife to a romantic getaway and insisted she read his manuscript. She reluctantly did so, and try as she would to enjoy it; she ended up crying. That's what happened with my wife.

Maybe I lacked learning. I read several novel writing books. It helped. I began a second re-write. Two and a half years later I presented the masterpiece to my wife. This time, for sure, she'd cry in all the right places, love it, and support me, as it was published world-wide. Can you believe it? Again the Chevy Chase scenario. What was happening? I knew God had revealed the story line to me. What was wrong? I decided I didn't believe her, and sought the advice of a professional editing company. It was true. Not recommended, but...at least this time I had all the editor's critiques. I could correct them.

I got to work on the third re-write. Three years later I skipped my sweet wife and went right to the professional editors. I was confident this time. I'd done all that they'd told me to do, and of course--three's a charm. This time the chief editor performed the critique. I couldn't wait for the accolades that I'd earned. But again--not recommended. Numerous changes still needed to be made. Add character arcs, enhance scene selection, change from first person to third person, delete here, and add there. I was done. Writing was a talent I didn't possess. All those years of effort--for what?

I was depressed. Week after week dragged by. I tried to snap out of it, but couldn't. I resorted to scripture. I'd learned all my life that when challenges seem insurmountable, go to the Lord. I read from his journal, still wondering why the dream? I did my best, and it wasn't good enough. A scripture stood out to me. I read it over and over. It had nothing to do with writing. It's in Malachi of the Old Testament. Chapter three, verse ten, speaking on the law of tithing: "Prove me now herewith..."

I still hadn't done all of my part! There was more for me to do! If I switched from first person to third would the character arcs from all four main characters improve? Would new characters and scenes develop? New challenges, new conflict, new action, new pursuits, new feeling, new drama, new lessons, new points to ponder, and on and on.

I dove in for the fourth time. This time recognizing my weakness and praying more fervently. I implemented the editor's counsel. I can't divulge what happened until it's published, but I can clearly say this. Miracles happened! They occurred every time I sat at my computer. And...I can attest, to anyone who questions the life of a true author--they are not wimps. To the contrary, they are marathon runners though stationary in a chair, the ultimate extent of intellectual pursuers, and they wear the toughest skin ever known when it comes to emotional highs and lows, rejections and successes--triumphs and failures. Their families have to take a back seat while they write, and write, and write, and write.

When the inspiration comes, what writer wouldn't take advantage of it? To me, it came in bucket loads for a solid week, then another week, then another, and another. I hardly ever left my computer room. I didn't eat, I didn't drink, sleep, talk or divert myself from writing in any way. I had my quarterly health check up right after, and found my kidneys to be failing if I didn't take care of myself.

What happens to an author emotionally? He knows he lacks the talent, but yet the feelings flow as if a direct conduit to heaven had formed. It's a testament that the Holy Ghost recognizes his efforts, and is revealing the scenes and plots to his mind. After all, it's by the power of the Holy Ghost that we may learn the truth of all things.

The author's desire to share what he wrote, as well as what he learned and then wrote, is enhanced a thousand fold. He has to find a publisher. Someone needs to feel the feeling he felt when the knowledge flowed to him.

And, in fine, the author recognizes his growth. His efforts are achnowledged, and he feels closer to his Father in Heaven than ever before. He's happy, but he's worried about contracts, agents, publishers, and on and on. He's also tired, spent...the marathon of writ, of expression, of desire, of faith, and of hope having taken it's tole.

This is me right now. I have gained one thing though. I have tremendous respect for author's.