It is an interesting story for me and God gets all the glory. I have always been a person who did not have much to say. People would always say, “you are so quiet.” I did not have much if anything to add to the conversation. I would say that I am not much on small talk. All through school and college my writings were either very short or I did research papers using others works. I could not originate a writing of my own. I did not like poetry either and never studied any. After reading some of my writings people would ask me if I knew of this poet or author, I did not know who they were or only familiar with some of their names. As you see, now I have become rather long winded and this is just my intro. I love to write about the Bible and I am going back to college to get another Bachelor degree in Communications to improve my written and oral skill. I already have a Bachelor degree in Theology and Biblical Studies.
I don’t remember what happened first my first paper in Bible college, or my Pastor at the time laying hands on me saying I would have the gift of writing and witty inventions. After he did so I began to talk and his wife came and stopped me saying I would never stop. I did not realize it and ask the Pastor when I will start talking, he said I already have. I was so excited about my first paper I submitted for grading even though it was not about the class subject matter after asking permission first. The teacher only disagreed on one point however I like my interpretation and have not changed it. I have shared it in book form with many people. I had researched the entire Bible to find out everything about the annual tithe.
I graduated in ’93 and a few years later I wrote my first two books while homeless (see about the author on my book blog). In the apartment I now live in a friend of mine an African from the Greek Orthodox Church said he can edit but I could write. He told me to WRITE! I asked him what should I write about and he replied every thought that comes to your mind. I had no thoughts! I talked to several people about this then one day thoughts came to mind. Several topics came up and I wrote about them. When my second wife divorced me I lost all the books I acquired in Bible college so I had to rely on my King James Bible, memory and inspiration. I had a lot of questions about Church teachings and this was my opportunity to correct many errors if just for my sake. I tried to get published and one woman said maybe the books are for me. That struck a cord yet I still want to share them and have given away many in book form (Kinko’s style which was about $12 a book).
As far as poetry is concerned that is also interesting. I wrote for three years straight and it consumed much of my time. I was obsessed, compulsive and driven to write like never before in my life. I would always carry a note pad and paper or my laptop with me where ever I went. I never knew when I would be inspired to write. I had to write it down immediately or I would forever forget what I wrote. Even today I have to read what I wrote for it was not committed to memory. I felt like the Spirit of God was writing through me and like John in Revelation, he was told to write this down. I would keep a notepad and pen next to my bed when I went to sleep for I would wake up at odd hours with a thought. I would grab my pen and notepad and write down the thought. Often times what I wrote was poetry. I just kept writing until I stopped and many times each sentence rhymed! Some of it was prose. Remember I never liked or studied poetry but to me this was beautiful and an awesome spiritual experience.
The best I can tell you is my experience. I am just beginning a formal writing education at age 55. Oh yeah, I did take a writing class in Junior college that I enjoyed immensely. A female student and I were way ahead of the rest of the class. He was an excellent teacher. He taught us to read a subject and just begin to write without thought or concern for grammar as fast as we could. I wrote one paper and I did not even understand what I was talking about until I read it over several times later. It was funny to me because I was writing about how a male wolf marks his territory much like dogs do by lifting their leg first and urinating at several locations. I did well in that class and received an “A.” Trust me I did not get many of those except in computer classes and Bible College where I earned all “A’s,” one B” and one “C.”
I know this is not how most writers come about these days. I attended two Christian Writer’s conferences. I already had books where others where just getting started. Usually the publisher tells you what to write or you try and fit into one of their genres. I have to find a place for mine. I sat at the lunch table with the keynote speakers each time and participated in the general assembly. One was a Ghost Writer. He said it is tough to become a published author he said about 1% of ghost writers become published. The other keynote speaker was the author of the Christians Writers Guide. She said I was qualified to write.
Now the problem is to get people to read my writing, they are very long. Thank you Jesus! I once could not talk or write but now I can. Mostly write. It is hard to retain someone’s attention when I talk for a long period of time. I have to be brief!
I don’t remember what happened first my first paper in Bible college, or my Pastor at the time laying hands on me saying I would have the gift of writing and witty inventions. After he did so I began to talk and his wife came and stopped me saying I would never stop. I did not realize it and ask the Pastor when I will start talking, he said I already have. I was so excited about my first paper I submitted for grading even though it was not about the class subject matter after asking permission first. The teacher only disagreed on one point however I like my interpretation and have not changed it. I have shared it in book form with many people. I had researched the entire Bible to find out everything about the annual tithe.
I graduated in ’93 and a few years later I wrote my first two books while homeless (see about the author on my book blog). In the apartment I now live in a friend of mine an African from the Greek Orthodox Church said he can edit but I could write. He told me to WRITE! I asked him what should I write about and he replied every thought that comes to your mind. I had no thoughts! I talked to several people about this then one day thoughts came to mind. Several topics came up and I wrote about them. When my second wife divorced me I lost all the books I acquired in Bible college so I had to rely on my King James Bible, memory and inspiration. I had a lot of questions about Church teachings and this was my opportunity to correct many errors if just for my sake. I tried to get published and one woman said maybe the books are for me. That struck a cord yet I still want to share them and have given away many in book form (Kinko’s style which was about $12 a book).
As far as poetry is concerned that is also interesting. I wrote for three years straight and it consumed much of my time. I was obsessed, compulsive and driven to write like never before in my life. I would always carry a note pad and paper or my laptop with me where ever I went. I never knew when I would be inspired to write. I had to write it down immediately or I would forever forget what I wrote. Even today I have to read what I wrote for it was not committed to memory. I felt like the Spirit of God was writing through me and like John in Revelation, he was told to write this down. I would keep a notepad and pen next to my bed when I went to sleep for I would wake up at odd hours with a thought. I would grab my pen and notepad and write down the thought. Often times what I wrote was poetry. I just kept writing until I stopped and many times each sentence rhymed! Some of it was prose. Remember I never liked or studied poetry but to me this was beautiful and an awesome spiritual experience.
The best I can tell you is my experience. I am just beginning a formal writing education at age 55. Oh yeah, I did take a writing class in Junior college that I enjoyed immensely. A female student and I were way ahead of the rest of the class. He was an excellent teacher. He taught us to read a subject and just begin to write without thought or concern for grammar as fast as we could. I wrote one paper and I did not even understand what I was talking about until I read it over several times later. It was funny to me because I was writing about how a male wolf marks his territory much like dogs do by lifting their leg first and urinating at several locations. I did well in that class and received an “A.” Trust me I did not get many of those except in computer classes and Bible College where I earned all “A’s,” one B” and one “C.”
I know this is not how most writers come about these days. I attended two Christian Writer’s conferences. I already had books where others where just getting started. Usually the publisher tells you what to write or you try and fit into one of their genres. I have to find a place for mine. I sat at the lunch table with the keynote speakers each time and participated in the general assembly. One was a Ghost Writer. He said it is tough to become a published author he said about 1% of ghost writers become published. The other keynote speaker was the author of the Christians Writers Guide. She said I was qualified to write.
Now the problem is to get people to read my writing, they are very long. Thank you Jesus! I once could not talk or write but now I can. Mostly write. It is hard to retain someone’s attention when I talk for a long period of time. I have to be brief!
