Writing Can Be Work or Be Patient, Little Boy

This is the first time I have asked God to help me in this particular endeavor. I don't recall ever asking for help in this particular area of my life: Lord, please help me finish my next book. I really did ask for it. I was that desperate.

My first book, "The Odyssey and the Idiot", is a non fiction work that encapsulates a journey I took with our kids, while searching for God and myself. Needless the say, the book flowed out of me. I was recounting actual events, working them into a narrative, tidying them up, editing and finishing. I was very happy with the result and it seems, I believe 100%, that all the folks who have read it are also very pleased. I have had no naysayers. How lucky is that?

The book I really wanted to do next will have to wait. It will involve travel and will involve money; more than I can spare right now. If it was 30 cents, it is more than I can spare right now. Let's be honest, our 401s look awful, the economy is tanking (as a result of bi-partisan efforts) and if one does not save every dime one can, then we risk the ceiling caving in on us.

Memo to our government: thanks for looking out for me, and thanks, as usual, for nothing (their usual MO). OK, I will gladly say you are keeping Islamic crazies from blowing up my street. For that, you are to be commended. And that is about it. We need leadership and example.

Boy, are we in trouble asking for that.

I have a friend who wants to be president and he wants me for Sec'y of State. Our collective policy will be to build a great wall around America, bring everyone home who belongs here, throw every out who doesn't and keep the nukes ready if anyone so much as looks at us funny. I am joking of course, but the whole exercise is indicative of our collective frustrations. Who isn't? The sense of disgust is palpable and everyone in gov't is to blame (except my wife, who works for them).

But the book I am half way done, and for which I asked for His help, is fiction, a romance story set against the Middle East (a place I know too well). It has flowed out of me, too, but not as easily. I don't enjoy reading fiction, so you can imagine the departure writing it is for me. When I mentioned to friends that I wrote the first book, the uniform response was: you wrote a book, about what? I told them briefly, though there is way too much to be rendered briefly. The book works on a lot of levels.

When I mention the second one, which will be called, "Fatien" "A girl, A Love and the Middle East", they actually get excited. Fiction appeals to people. I can't believe it, personally. If this one blows away the sales of the first or the planned third, it will prove to me that some people should not be allowed to vote. ..... Just kidding!!!! But it would be ironical if I got known for this new book vs my first or planned third. If I get on Oprah with it -- and this presupposes I would be able bite my tongue from saying to her what I would like too -- I would shake my head once again, seeing my plans and reality completely at odds yet again. What does age 53 really mean?: one rarely gets surprised by anyone or anything. Serves me right: I want to talk about God and folks want to hear about romance.

But maybe you should agree with this statement: when God wants readers to get my non fiction book(s) and be moved by them (hopefully), they will. It is just my anxiety to give a testimonial that is so important to me. When it is meant to happen, it will.

And why can't I just shut up and accept the divine plan for me? He must look at me sometimes and shake His own head. But, I love Him and trust He understands me. What more is there? If He loves me -- the complainer -- imagine how much He must love all of you, most of whom accept His plan and rarely ask for anything much.

And I want only a best seller...

One day I will learn. Starting now. I feel like people that Moses brought out of bondage -- slavery, mind you -- and they had the gaul to complain about the accommodations. Human nature hasn't changed much. How sad.

God Bless.
KJPrice