So, Did You Always Want to Write a Book?

So, did you alway want to write a book?" is the response of family and friends when I shared that I was writing a book. I had to be honest and tell them, "No!"

Early in my life's journey, I learned to read and became a voracious reader. Like many of you, as I matured in my book diet, you could find a handful of books on my night stand. Now, our home is filled with baskets, shelves, cabinets and boxes of books.

Some readers would call me old school, but I still like the feel of a book in my hand, turning the pages, getting lost in whatever light is around me, rather than the flat glow of a screen. Sometimes it is necessary to succumb to the screen. Getting lost feels different.

Several years ago, I was chewing on a particular book of The Bible for a study. Some parts of The Bible are tougher than others. This is one of the prophets in the Old Testament who is telling a story as he prophesies a disaster that eventually takes place, and one that is still to come.

Joel is his name, and he is describing a future invasion to the people of Israel. As I was working and studying, I began to see another story in my mind's eye. This story was taking place in present day Colorado.

As I told you at the beginning of my blog, I never desired to write a book. Poetry has been easy and enjoyable for me. Devotionals, letters, stories I made up for my children when they were little, and information for work or volunteer jobs, was my writing.

One of my girlfriends and I hiked regularly, and I shared that I was taking notes for a possible story that was developing in my mind. That Christmas, she gave me a large, hard-backed notebook and the book, 90 Days to your Novel by Sarah Domet. I'm a good student and I love to learn, so this book was a template for me, since I had no clue how to write a novel.

A new path on my life journey opened up.