Saturday, July 24, 2010

Initiation into the Christian Writers Critique Group

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything
that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or
more are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them." -- Matthew 18: 19-20


It was my first night sitting with published and self-published writers from my hometown.  This group has published seventeen books in the last three years.  They are on schedule to surpass twenty books before this year is over.

Byron Mettler is the author of seven books, including his latest, The Best Book on Self-Publishing With Createspace.  (click here to order his books). He handed me an autographed copy to assist me on my journey.  I left the meeting with unedited chapters from future books and amazing poetry inspired by Barbara, a new writer who is in the final stages of preparation for her first book. Pete, Byron, Barbara, Gayle, Mandy and Adelaide gave this unpublished writer a warm and fuzzy feeling... I knew in my heart that I was at the right place at the right time.

When Jesus tells us "where two or more are gathered in My name, I am there", this is no understatement.  I felt His presence in this group.  I now have a new set of accountability partners.  It was nearly one year ago when I asked several people to hunt me down the day I missed a post.  Every morning when I wake up, I think of them, just knowing they are there to keep me on the right path helps me to stay true to my promise to write and publish daily.

Byron asked me an important question last night..."Mike, who is your target audience...is it Christians?"  I think that Christians will like this book because it affirms what they already believe in and where they are headed, however, The REAL audience is the people who feel lost, abandoned, unloved, unappreciated, insignificant, hurt, or fallen.  I was a part of this group for too long.  It was as if the Evil One picked my dad out of a special family of ten children and then put His claws deep into him, refusing to let go as my parents teamed up to bring six children into the world.  This torture from the Evil One took its toll on my family.  The rest of this story is in the book.  It is important to know the ending so that you give hope a chance in your life...God Wins!

I promise you a roller coaster ride.  I will release this book to you with confidence that it can help counter any dark force that you face in your life.  That confidence comes from knowing the One that is with the others in my new group who are gathered in His name.  Thank you to all of you for sharing your work with me and I look forward to sharing my chapters with you for professional editing so that this book will be written according to God's will.

No comments: