The Book

For those who read my blog last week, you might remember I gave an advertisement for today's blog. If you don't remember or didn't read last week's blog, go back and read my blog from last week!
Over the past ten months or so I have been working on a project. It has been quite challenging, enjoyable, discouraging, encouraging, insightful, and more all rolled into one. Since late January I have been trying to write a book and I hope to finish the initial writing stage in the next month and a half.
I have always enjoyed writing. In college I much rather preferred a paper to a test. Gathering the materials, doing the research and compiling it into a paper excited me. Additionally writing provides me a way to get out my emotions, and to organize my thoughts. As odd as it may sound writing is a way in which for me to express myself artistically. Put a paintbrush in my hand and I will struggle to make something that comes close to resembling a stick-figure. Give me a piece of paper and pen, and I feel as though I can paint my emotions using words. If you were to look through my room you would find numerous journals, all with their unique purpose, yet all containing my writing. At any given time I am writing in three or four different journals. Some, more often than others.
Throughout college I began getting the urge to write a book. I thought it would be a great challenge and something I would really enjoy. With my love of studying history I always envisioned I would write about a historical event/figure (I've always wanted to write about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor). After spending a few years in Germany I had a few people encouraging me to entertain the idea of writing a book about my journey here in Germany. The thought was exciting and I felt as though I would have plenty of material to go off of. However I felt as though one of the biggest requirements for writing a book was time. Something I had very little of. Therefore in my mind I kept saying to myself, "When I leave Germany I will have more time and at that point will sit down to write a book." I was excited writing a book was still in my vision, yet relieved I could push it off for a little bit.
Right before Christmas break last year (December 2010) I received a Christmas card from a former student. In previous conversations I had expressed my interest in writing, and she had always encouraged me to do so. Yet within those conversations I talked of how I felt time was an issue and later would be a more opportune time. Within her Christmas card she wrote to me, "You should write now. You will never be less busy. If you always think you will have more time somewhere down the line, you won't. Do it now or you never will." I really took those words to heart, and I decided to act on my desire to write.

With that as a long introduction, what is the book actually about?
The book is going to be a devotional based off of running a marathon. While there is a huge running emphasis, it is my hope the book will appeal to runners and non-runners alike.
It is my belief that running is such a phenomenal parallel to life. Many of the things you learn and experience while running (especially a marathon) easily parallel/translate to life.
So the basis of the book is a marathon, 26.2 miles long. Therefore the book is going to be 26.2 chapters long. Each chapter represents one mile in the race. I have chosen 26 words that I think accurately describe a specific mile of the race. For each mile I talk with a "running hat" talking about what that mile will look like, what to expect, how to train for it, etc. I take the "word of the chapter" and talk about how it applies to running. But I also talk about how that word translates from running into life. For each chapter I have chosen a biblical character who epitomizes that particular word/emotion. Using the biblical account of their life I show an individual who has lived out that word/emotion and I talk about how we can be encouraged and challenged to practically implement that word/emotion/characteristic into our own lives.
Words for my miles include; courage, discipline, patience, trust, pain, loneliness, worship, freedom.

As I mentioned above, I am hoping to have everything written by Christmas. I currently have 19 chapters completely written, so only a few more to go! After Christmas I hope to spend a few months editing the chapters, with the goal of having everything finished by March. The BFA soccer season starts March 5, so I am hoping to have everything finished and published by the start of soccer season.

Prior to this post there were a small handful of people who knew about the endeavor I am undertaking.
So why put a blog about it?
- I would appreciate your prayer as I continue to move forward. You obviously cannot pray for this project if you are unaware it is happening! I am unaware of how many eyes will actually read the book, but I am praying what is written will prove encouraging and beneficial to those who do read.
- Making a "public announcement" and openly talking about it now, adds some accountability. I have stated what I hope to do, and the time in which I hope to do it. I have personally had the goals for a while but now I invite you to share them with me, and keep me accountable to them. Feel free to check in on my progress, send encouragement, or send a slap in the back of the head if I am slacking.
- Recently as the depth of my schedule has increased my energy to write has decreased. I am hoping this will help jumpstart me again and give me the energy to write the final chapters.

When sharing my idea with those who have already heard about this project,, I have been asked a few of the same questions repeatedly; how are you publishing the book? Will you make money off the book? How many pages will the book be? What is the book going to be called?
1. I have a friend who might be able to give a manuscript to an editor at a publishing company. While that would be phenomenal, I am not holding my breath over it. My current plan is to self-publish via an online company.
2. Since I am self-publishing there is a cost for me to do so. Honestly, my goal is to have a minimal cost, or to simply break even. If I can break even I will be delighted, my ultimate goal in this has nothing to do with finances.
3. My original thought was to write 100-125 pages. I felt this was a respectable amount, and a good goal, especially for someone who has never attempted such a project before. After finishing the 18th chapter I have somewhere around 150 pages written, with seven more chapters to write! Knowing I will definitely edit a number of pages out, I think my sights are now between 150-200 pages.
4. I don't have any idea what the title will be. If you have any suggestions please feel free to share them. I would love for you to offer suggestions and to be involved with it.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to let me know. I would love to dialogue with you more about it if you want.
Thank you for your interest, and thank you for your prayers.

Tommy