I believe that I am the world’s most unlikely author. In school, English was my worst subject–I was more of a math and science guy. I hated reading fiction, and never enjoyed “creative writing” exercises. Certainly writing a fiction novel (let alone three) was the furthest thing from my mind.
In University, I decided to focus on the sciences, specifically computer science. I enjoyed it immensely, and became a software developer shortly after graduation. It has been my career ever since. In my spare time, one thing I have always enjoyed doing is teaching. My life has been a non-stop quest of learning, and then finding ways to teach that information to others. I teach Sunday School and run a Bible study–two things for which I feel a calling.
For some reason, about twenty-five years ago, I got an idea in my head for a book. It would be a fun story, intersecting modern times with Biblical history. I could use fiction as an avenue to teach. So I got to work, writing a book involving University students and professors, as they stumble onto a portal which brings them into the past. The book was preachy and it was awful.
The truth was, I had no idea how to write. I had no concept of point-of-view, showing rather than telling, or how to create compelling characters. The good thing was that I recognized my weaknesses and decided to keep at it. I rewrote the story virtually from scratch, changing the setting, shuffling around some characters and making it more compelling. And the book was still awful.
I decided to learn more about how to write, ordering online courses on character development, reading the “rules” of writing, and slowly but surely, it dawned on me why my previous attempts had failed. I was breaking numerous rules of fiction writing, and it made everything sound very amateurish.
I set everything aside for a couple of years, but would periodically think about the story and how I could change and improve it. There were a few more false starts as I played with the theme and outline, setting and characters. I scratched out notes, created characters, and soon it appeared that everything was coming together.
And then, one day, I started writing. It was a surreal experience, as ideas flowed, and the story came to life. At times, the story moved in a different direction as I wrote, almost as if the story were writing itself. I was becoming my characters, placing myself in their shoes, thinking (even when I wasn’t writing) of where their next adventure would take them. There were days when several chapters spilled out at once, and other days where nothing happened. But the story was progressing.
Because I had an outline of the plot, I knew the broad strokes, and how the story would end. I didn’t always know how I would get there, but I really did find that when I sat down to write, everything came together, and inspiration continued to strike. I was actually enjoying it! The biggest thing I was doing was writing for me, just for the sake of writing. I never knew if anyone would read it, and if they did, if they would like it. But that was not at the forefront of my mind. It was a hobby–and it brought me great joy.
It took me a couple of years to finish the story and put some polish to it. I must have read it twenty times. I refined it, cleaned up dialog and fixed spelling errors, tweaked plot points and worked toward consistency. I fleshed out characters and gave them each unique personalities. I was learning how to craft a story!
Eventually I was confident enough to let others read it. My parents, a few friends, and even my children were put into service. Everyone appeared to like the story, and they were all able to supply a few suggestions and spelling fixes.
When I was satisfied I had something serviceable, I shopped it around to a few publishers. I got some decent feedback, but eventually thought I should self-publish. I had all the computer skills necessary to design a cover, format an eBook, upload everything to bookselling sites, so: why not?
So Faultless & Fallen: Metamorphosis was born. It was really cool to see it up on Amazon, the Apple Store, and a few other book sellers, and it was incredible to get a copy I could hold in my hands. I’m thankful to family and friends who purchased the book and gave me feedback. I got a lot of positive remarks, especially from kids (who are the main target audience). It gave me a lot of confidence, and helped me write the final two books in the series. I will make that the subject of another post.
