Today, we welcome one of Hope Tour's charter sponsors, author Staci Stallings.
When I say that God directs my writing, I mean just that. He decides what I write when I write it and how I write it. Sometimes that's very comforting, and sometimes it makes an author just a little ...
Well, here's the story. You tell me what it would make you!
It all started when I got a fabulous idea for a book. We'll call this one "Original Story." Now, when I write, I try to immerse myself in the characters--what they are like, how they look, what they love, the kind of music they listen to. In doing so, I download pictures off the Internet and make a soundtrack for the book.
I had started all of that, and "Original Story" was going quite well. I had a great soundtrack because the hero was actually a member of a boy band at the time.
Pictures were going quite well also because there were lots of them available.
The glitch I didn't see coming (but know God orchestrated) came in the form of the young lady who was my newest and most fascinated fan at the time. She was the babysitter for my kids, and she had recently read several of my books. So when "Original Story" started being written, she was interested. I mean, coming in here to see the pictures, how many pages had I written, how was it going, when would it be finished interested.
Then a funny thing happened. As she looked at the pictures, she started "falling for" one of the other guys in the band. She kept asking me, "Yes, but what is this guy's story?" I gently told her that it didn't work that way, and that I was working on "Original Story" and didn't have time for anything else.
Well, she kept it up until just to shut her up, one day, I said, "Okay, God, if I was to write this other guy's story, what would it be?" Now, I had assumed God would be quiet on the matter and I could work on the story I was already working on. I assumed wrong!
Upon asking the question, the story "To Protect & Serve" dropped into my lap--nearly fully formed. I was not the picture of happiness. Now what? I was already writing a story, and it was good. But, I've learned, when God shows up, you don't argue.
Within a few days I was standing in our fire department that's only a couple miles from my house, learning all kinds of new things like the best way to cut roof-vents on houses that are burning down under you and where the pickax is stored on the truck, how turnout gear is stored so you can get in it quickly and the importance of a little thing called a PASS.
That story, "To Protect & Serve" became the first of the three stories in The Courage Series (followed by "White Knight" and then "For Real.")
I'm hoping someday I will finish "Original Story." It's now been 11 years, and I'm still working on it. Don't ask me. I'm just along for the ride!
Staci Stallings, the author of this article, is a Contemporary Christian
author and the founder of Grace & Faith Author Connection. You can check
out one of Staci's Best-Selling Christian Romances ...
To Protect & Serve
~ The Courage Series~
~ The Courage Series~
Book 1
"Courage,
love, and sacrifice..."
-Amazon Reviewer, Cindy
To save others' lives, they will risk their own...
Buy
your copy today for:
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including:
Or...
Follow Staci on Twitter @StaciStallings
Come on over for a visit…
You’ll feel better for the experience!
Follow Magnificent Hope's Journey:
- What's So Important About Hope?
- Week 7: Where in the World is Magnificent Hope? CONTEST
- Magnificent Hope Visits Kentucky Conference
- Week 6: Where in the World is Magnificent Hope? CONTEST
- Sheryl Holmes Shares Her Story with Magnificent Hope's Assistance
- Book Signings Aren't Just for Selling Books
- Books of Hope Contest Finalists Announced
- Tips to Help You Win Writing Contests
- Christmas Book Writing Contest
- Two New Writing Contests Announced
- Future Writers: Passing the Mantel
- Week 5: Where in the World is Magnificent Hope? CONTEST
- Dreams Can Come True by Ruth O'Neil
- Week 4: Where in the World is Magnificent Hope? CONTEST
- A Special Treat from Jennifer Fromke (and a huge hint for the Week 2 photo!)
- Week 3: Where in the World is Magnificent Hope? Pays Respect
- Magnificent Hope Encounters Dianne E. Butts at the CCWC
- Where in the World is Magnificent Hope? Contest - Week 2
- Magnificent Hope Arrives at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference with Elsi Dodge
- Magnificent Hope visits a Recording Studio with Zillah Williams
- Where in the World is Magnificent Hope? Contest - Week 1
- Books of Hope Manuscript Contest Announced
- Rides motorcycles with Dianne E. Butts
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