Finding Joy
One of my historian friends (a fellow author who I admire tremendously) recently asked me why and how I find joy in writing my books. He specifically referenced the term ?joy? which I had used to describe how I felt about my work ? and how others have responded to it. I must admit that ?joy? is not a word that I throw around very often, and I wanted to post a response to his query here in an effort to share it with everyone. It is not my intent to get too "preachy" either, so I will try to present my feelings in the simplest of terms.

A few years ago, I read a wonderful book called ?The Purpose-Driven Life? by Reverend Rick Warren. In the book he poses the timeless questions of ?Why am I here?" and "What is my purpose?? Now, most self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Warren says the starting place must be with God, and His eternal purposes for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God?s purposes for putting us on earth. And it is through this fulfillment that our rewards will come.

In other words, when one examines their life and the world around him/her, it is almost impossible not to ask why are we here, and what can we contribute? Surely there must be more to our existence than traffic jams, reality television, and a 40-hour workweek? We have to have a purpose - everyone does.

As a Presbyterian (and as with most other Christian denominations) we believe that our talents (all of them) are God-given gifts and therefore, we should use them for spreading His glory. Whether it is a creative, academic, analytical, or technical talent, it is not by our own doing that we have them. This epiphany had a major impact on my life, and as I moved further out of the "secular" publishing field and over into the "Christian" one, my work took me to places that I could never have dreamed of. It was ONLY after I decided to make a focused career change that door after door opened up for me.

Today, I write about my favorite subject (the Civil War and Southern/Confederate history) because I love it. And I write about it from a religious-perspective because I love God and the blessings that He has given me. That is what I mean when I say ?joy?. Many accredited historians (my friend that I mention included) are so much smarter and more accomplished than I am, and they have all written stacks upon stacks of magnificent studies. They have certainly blessed me with their knowledge and insights. Perhaps they are fulfilling their purpose too? My purpose (I believe) is to write stories that are uplifting, inspirational, and have a positive impact on people. I use the historical figures that inspire me as my platform.

I once had a lovely young woman (also a Christian author) from Canada email me to say that she knew very little about 19th-Century America, and even less about Civil War history. Yet, when she read my first book ?Onward Christian Soldier: The Spiritual Journey of Stonewall? she was so touched by my portrayal of Thomas Jackson?s unwavering devotion to God amidst the most desperate of times, that she cried when she finished it. She added that I ?had so well-defined "Stonewall's" position of faith and family that it made it impossible not to come to care for this man.?

She closed by saying that she was now interested in the ACW, and would be looking at more academic studies in the future. This is an example where the religious perspective initiates an interest that later opens the door for the academic version. One genre - feeds the other - and she will probably be reading the work of my friend who initiated this post in the first place.

That is what I mean by ?joy?. Joy is when I am able to write something that interests me - that touches a complete stranger - who had absolutely no prior interest in the story of ?Stonewall? Jackson. Joy is when I use my talent for a purpose greater than my own ? and in a way that I would have never been able to do on my own - if not for God?s grace. In other words, Joy is so much more than just the feeling one has after seeing their book come off the press. It is a gift too. My name may be on the cover of these books ? but the REAL credit belongs to God.