Writing Non-fiction

The first eleven books I've published have been fiction, and the next one or two will be also. That's what I read the most. However, I began publishing as a magazine writer, so I do have a background in non-fiction as well. Therefore, I'm toying with the idea of publishing a Christian non-fiction book in the near future. I have two rough drafts written.

In fact, I almost wrote a non-fiction history book last year. A regional editor in New England contacted me and wanted me to write for The History Press. He'd been impressed with some of my blogs posted on a page for Yankee Magazine. When he found out that I actually lived in the South, he put me in contact with the regional editor here. I did a book proposal on the traditional culture of the Southern Appalachians, but the editor wanted me to narrow it down to talk about a single topic, such as spinning and weaving. In my research, I'd found the need for a broader book surveying more than one narrow topic, and I felt it would be easier for me to write. Therefore, I declined.

At that time, I found myself frantically trying to write down all the stories that were coming fast and furious, anyway. But the idea of writing a non-fiction hasn't left. The manuscript nearest to being ready is On the Road to Jericho, covering the last journey Jesus made from Galilee to Jerusalem and leading to His triumphant entry, arrest, and crucifixion. His teachings on this trip are especially poignant and meaningful with important lessons for us.

However, I am being extremely careful with my commentary and working hard to see that the book reads smoothly. In addition, I want the messages to come across in a clear, concise manner. It appears this book will be shorter than my others, but it will be over a hundred pages. I'm organizing it so it could be used for devotions or just read straight through. I'm excited to be branching off in this direction, but I'll keep writing my novels as well.

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National Puzzle Day

January 29th is National Puzzle Day. Although doing jigsaw puzzles might not be as popular as they once were, they're still a good way to spend days you're shut inside the house due to bad weather. Studies have found we use both sides of our brain when we work a jigsaw puzzle, and, if you're like me, you'd welcome more brain power.

If jigsaw puzzles aren't your thing, however, there're many other types of puzzles. Maybe you'd prefer Soduku, word finds, or crossword puzzles. Crossword puzzles will also increase vocabulary and language skills. If you're more of a math and number person, then try Soduku.

In fact, most puzzles will help increase memory, cognitive skills, and problem-solving ability. Researchers tell us, the more we exercise our brains, the healthier they'll remain. So what type of puzzle do you prefer? Let's celebrate National Puzzle Day by working on one.

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Compromising

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).

Compromising can be a good or a bad thing depending on the situation. However, Christians should never compromise their faith. Have we? Most Christians probably have at some point in their lives, and some continue to do so, watering down their faith in the process until they're lukewarm.

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him (1Kings 18:21a).

I'm reminded of someone who went to the same church as I did. A single mother with two children wanted to rent a property the woman had for rent, but the young mother would have her new boyfriend living with her. At first, the woman seemed conflicted over what to do. But in the end, she rented it to the unmarried couple.

No man can serve two masters.... Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

And look at working on Sunday. Several years ago, it would have been unusual to see someone mowing their yards on Sunday or road construction on that day. Few Christians, other than medical and emergency personnel worked on Sunday, either. Now, such things are quite common, and most people treat Sunday as any other day of the week. We hear of scams, fraud, and schemes all the time. And cheating is rampant in our schools.

If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Perhaps this is what is eating away at our churches and our nation today. Maybe we've compromised to the point that we've turned from our moral foundation, and anything goes. Christianity shouldn't be just about dos and don'ts; it's not a set of rules we must follow. Instead, it's what we do with Christ and the condition of our hearts. But if we truly love the Lord and put Him first where He should be, we'll want to please Him. We please Him by obeying His Word. Think about it and apply it to your own life in the way He leads you.

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Deceitful Matters

I just sent my twelfth manuscript to the publisher. Deceitful Matters is a contemporary novel set near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I grew up about 60 miles west of there. I used Wellington, a fictitious small town not far from Winston, for the main setting. But the nearby city, towns, and sites the characters visit are real places.

In the book, Amy Duncan and Seth Conners were just starting to connect in high school when Seth was arrested, Amy’s parents died, and everything changed. They don’t see each other again for ten years, but now someone is trying to make sure they never become too serious about each other again. Who would do such a thing, and will their love survive or will they be torn apart permanently?

I included some mystery and intrigue in the historical novel, When Winter Is Past, but Deceitful Matters has the most mystery of any book I've published so far. My focus is not entirely on the mystery, however, because my novels are character driven and not plot driven. I do read mysteries now and then, and I like to occasionally use some of these elements. Readers loved When Winter Is Past, and the book has done very well. I'm eager to see how Deceitful Matters will do. It should be out sometime in February or March.

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The CIA Begins

As World War II drew to an end, the need for a national intelligence gathering agency became more pressing. Earlier attempts at a successful group hadn't lasted, but on January 22, 1946, President Harry Truman established the National Intelligence Authority, which was to become the Central Intelligence Agency about eighteen months later.

The CIA is actually a civilian agency created to gather, process, and analyze information on foreign nations that could prove crucial to the security of the United States. The CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence and provides intelligence information for the President and his Cabinet.

CIA Headquarters, Langley, VA

Unlike the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the CIA has no law enforcement authority. But it is the only agency sanctioned by law to carry out covert operations as ordered by the President. Since the 911 attacks, the CIA has mushroomed in size and budget. In addition to looking for physical threats, it also watches cyber-operations. The agency has grown immensely since its beginnings on January 22, 1946.

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Flourish

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree (Psalm 92:12a).

There are many different kinds of palm trees, over 2,500 species. Most of them grow in warmer climates, but they are remarkably diverse and flourish from rainforests to deserts. Palms are some of the best-known trees and have a long history of cultivation for their foods, medicines, wood, and large leaves. If we choose to live the righteous life God wants, He promises that we will flourish like the palm tree.

he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon (Psalm 92:12b).

The cedars in Lebanon could grow large - 130 ft. tall and over eight feet in diameter. Most of the massive building projects in the Bible used cedar wood from Lebanon (such as Solomon's temple) because it was the best. These trees grew straight and tall, just like we should stay on a straight path, growing toward the Lord. They were substantial, deep-rooted plants; and so should our faith be.

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God (Psalm 92:13).

When we belong to the house of the Lord, God promises that we shall flourish within His courts. It is a privilege and joy to be part of His family and to share the gospel message. We should be so full of His love and presence that it naturally flows from us for all to see. We should be a living testimony to our Lord.

They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing (Psalm 92:14).

Our faith will produce fruit. It's what real faith does, and it comes naturally. When we love God and follow His will, good works come naturally. As James points out, faith without works is dead (see James 2:14-26). And as we mature and produce much fruit, we'll be blessed. Such a strong relationship with the Lord is a blessing in itself. So flourish in the Lord!

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Beat Those Stories

I got an email from a friend in a writer's group this week. Something she'd read in a how-to book on writing caused her enough concern that she sent out an email to the entire group. The tip said she should use "said" as a dialogue tag rather than  denote it in other ways, such as "implied,: "stated,"  "responded," or other synonyms.

This is true if you need to use a tag. Readers are used to seeing "said," and it doesn't cause them to stumble or stop the way other words for the same thing might. When an author writes in a way that causes the reader to pause and consider the writing, it pulls them out of the story. A good writer wants the reader to live the story with the characters and not be jerked out of it.

However, it's much better to use beats and not use tags at all. This is where a character's actions around the same time as the dialogue tells who's speaking. For example, "Linda crossed the room with a determined stride. "Why are you here, Paul?" The better writers use beats much more than they use drier tags. They're cleaner, crisper, and clearer. It's also more fun for the author and reader.

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