2013 begins a concerted effort to encourage other Christian writers. I start today with an interview of my friend, Chris Vonada. You will recognize him as a monthly guest blogger, who has been sharing the 10 + 1 Building Blocks of relationships. He currently has two books published with Amazon, Common Ground…Geology Happens! and Believe…And You Say?

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CAROL: Welcome, Chris. I’m impressed with the speed at which you’ve gotten these books out. Of course the process your readers don’t see has taken you a lot longer. Could you tell us what the writing and publication process was like for your books?

CHRIS: lol... yes, much longer! I was encouraged by a few friends to start writing 3 years ago. They thought it was a gift, I never even recognized it. Maybe think of this as the "initial phase" of honing the craft, trying to learn how to write well.

My first book, Common Ground...Geology Happens! was originally a series of blog posts. I started writing these about 2 years ago. Some super great friend (by the name of Carol Peterson) came up with the suggestion to self-publish these 42 posts as a compilation and book. From there, the process was pretty quick and easy, thanks to Amazon and their self-publishing arm, Createspace. I was able to pull the book together in about a week by using their tools, including an awesome support community and a solid template.

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CAROL: I love the balance in your writing between your faith and your work as a scientist. How have each of those aspects of your life been challenged through your writing? Strengthened?

CHRIS: Great question! I would say that it has been a learning experience for me. I didn't accept Jesus as my Lord and savior until later in life, and was baptized in 2000 by Pastor Tom Bary at Neptune Baptist Church in Neptune Beach, Florida. My journey to get to know Jesus really began at that point, and many of the questions that I had then are still present now. My second book, Believe...And You Say? is about how I have been able to resolve my belief in God with my education as a scientist.

Guy Kawasaki said there are four good reasons to write a book: To enrich lives, for intellectual challenge, to further a cause, and as catharsis. My writing, in general, provides an outlet for each of these reasons at some time or another. It provides me strength to soldier on.

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CAROL: Can you share a little about what you’re working on now? Any prospective date for upcoming publication?

CHRIS: Well, I've found out quickly that a good author's job is only half done when the book is published. I'm spending considerable time now marketing my work. I really enjoy this activity too!

So far as future publications, I have three that I'm actively working on right now: A book about excellent healthy relationships (I will self-publish this most likely in April 2013); The Wellspring Of Life (targeting publication date in Summer 2013); and This Is A Love Story (no date set yet for publication). I have a page on my website  www.chrisvonada.com where folks can keep track of my books and their status.

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CAROL: What would you like our readers to know about you that I haven’t asked?

CHRIS: lol.. I guess the most striking factoid about me is that I'm quite shy.

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CAROL: Please share links to how folks can get their own copy of your books.

CHRIS: Please check out my "books" page on my blog to stay up to date. Believe...And You Say? is currently available on Amazon for FREE (through 1/13/2013). You can also find all of my books at Amazon by searching "Chris Vonada."

Thank you, Carol so very much for this interview and for all of your encouragement and inspiration!!

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You're welcome and thank you, Chris for joining us today. Congratulations on your latest book launch.

And folks, did you see that? "Believe…And You Say?" is FREE through Sunday. I already have my copy...

　

BOOKS UNENDING

As I was writing last Monday’s post, I spent some time in Ecclesiastes. As a writer, my eyeballs often skim the words and get stuck on thoughts related to writing. So it was last week when I read Ecclesiastes 12:12:

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

I’m the first to admit that I’m freely taking this one line of scripture out of the heavy duty Book of Ecclesiastes. But it speaks deeply to my heart as a writer.

Of making many books there is no end.

No sooner do I begin writing one book than my brain creates ideas for three more. No sooner do I get the first draft of one book completed than the outline for a seventh book is begun. No sooner do I complete a book of fiction than the characters jump up and demand that it become a series.

Of making many books there is no end.

Which is why I write. Because there are books to be created, stories to be told, words to be shared. King Solomon’s reputation for the wisest man who ever lived, is still secure.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for words and ideas. Thank you for being the master communicator. Thank you for giving us the ability to use words to share your love with others. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you have a book in you waiting to be written? Why haven’t you started writing it?

NOTE: Stay tuned for part 2 of Ecclesiastes 12:12 later this month.

BUILDING BOOKSHELVES

I recently joined Goodreads. Creating my cyber “book shelf” on Goodreads made me think about building real bookshelves.

The first bookshelf my husband ever built was three pieces of shelving and nine cinder blocks. It was functional and portable and held our books just fine. But beautiful? Not so much. It also required no tools to build.

The second bookshelf he built from a kit. Nicer, sturdier and even looked like furniture. It required one screwdriver. Philips. And several of his manly muscles.

The third bookshelf he designed himself. He used fine wood, routed the edges, joined sections with jigs and dowels, stained and finished it all to a fine sheen. It required an electric skill saw, jig, router, dowels, wood biscuits, wood glue, orbital sander, fine sandpaper, stain, paintbrush, muslin cloth, zero aught stainless steel, and varnish. 

By then he had studied furniture building and had filled his bulging toolbox with tools he knew how to use well.

That last bookshelf stands in my office, overflowing with books. A few of those books I have written. A few are well-worn books about writing. The rest were written by authors I love. All of them have been part of my process of learning to use tools for my craft. 

At a recent children’s writing conference Lin Oliver (founder and director of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) gave us the advice that for every book we write, we should read 500 in that genre.

Her advice reminded me of the many wise proverbs and sage pieces of advice we’ve all heard: practice makes perfect; study hard; keep trying; mastery requires 10,000 hours. The advice can be applied to everything you do. In essence: if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it well. 

Even better, do everything as for the Lord. (Colossians 3:23)

My bookshelf doesn’t contain 500 books yet. But after Lin’s advice, it wouldn’t hurt to get hubby started on another bookshelf. I know it will be gorgeous!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help us do everything we do as  if we are doing it for you. Show us ways to glorify you in our obedience, our attitude, our work ethic, the process and the outcome. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Is there one thing that stands out above everything else you do, that you seek to do for the Lord?