Craig wrote:
I own a patio restoration business. I started it 3 years back. It allows me to eat all year long.
In Michigan I can only work on patios like this one (pic) on Lake Huron for about six months a year.
Then, when November comes I focus more on writing.
BUT…
I can easily fall into the trap of imposter syndrome during these months of sweating under the sun.
Or I can use the time to dream, develop characters, build worlds, advance the plots of stories that are under development.
I’ve written ideas on sandpaper, pieces of lumber, receipts, the inside of my trailer, and the notepad in my truck. I’ve taken pictures of maps I drew in the sand, on boxes, or lumber carved with a nail.
Just because you’re not a full time author does not mean that you’re not continually thinking, planning, and plotting new worlds. I may be reminding myself the stories I’ve been entrusted to tell – matter.
How do you overcome the negative aspects of your life in order to write?
inspiration amwriting hope thespiritualthriller charitysfire
I “met” Craig on LinkedIn more than a year ago and checked out his Amazon page. I was drawn by both words in his historical novel, Immigrant Patriot. It was such an unbelievable story about his grandparents that I read more of his novels. By the time I got to Cameron Lost, I sensed that Craig is an author to follow. I also sensed God’s fingerprint in his stories.
Once he mentioned he is writing a cookbook with his wife. I still have books nudging to get written, so I asked Craig how many he’s got cooking. Fourteen! His newest engrossing page-turner, Charity’s Fire, came out last month. (The Perfect Storm meets The Screwtape Letters in this one!)
The exciting sequel, Book 2 in the “What the Eye Beholds” Series” will be out later this year.
Now you have an inkling of how creativity shows up for novelists while they’re working on something else, or vacationing, or about anytime at all.
The cookbook? Watch for it next year!
Fourteen?! And I thought I had a lot of irons in the fire! How does he keep them all straight?
Good question! Just how many do you have cooking, Dennis?
I have different folders on my computer and also yellow legal pads for each book as it gets closer to the big writing push begins.
Thanks for asking!
Craig sure sounds like an author to check out. Thanks, Joy!
Thank you, GP!
Thank you!
I appreciate the interest.
Craig’s output is very impressive!
Thank you, Liz. He sure has a great work ethic!
You’re welcome, Joy. I can see that!
Thanks Liz.
The big wake up moment for me was when I realized that no one else was going to write my stories. A switch flipped. I finally took responsibility for my writing.
You’re welcome, Craig. I find it fascinating how every author’s writing practice is different.
These are the type of stories that fascinate me. Every writer has their own path. While I’m sure restoring patios takes concentration and skill, I’m guessing there are plenty of slower times where Craig’s mind can focus on his stories. I wasn’t trying to write in those days, but I used to paint houses in the summer. My mind often wandered while I worked to keep me sane.
Craig would like to write full time, but The Stars in the Sidewalk is about working with concrete!
Some days Pete are better than others. But training myself to write down those moments when ideas happen has helped me so much. I try not to waste those tidbits and nail them down either in my phone or on a scrap of whatever I can find.
Craig’s restoration of patios appears to be meticulous and very creative. He’s likely just as particular and imaginative with his stories. Thanks for introducing Craig to your followers, Joy. I’ll have to check him out! 🙂
Thank you, Nancy!
Thank you, Nancy. Joy has been such a blessing to me. I do see my work as a way to express my creativity, and cooking, and writing. I am blessed.
Thanks for this guest post, Joy. Craig’s books look intriguing to me. I’ll be checking them out, for sure.
Thank you, Tim!
Craig hit it right on the head. Even when you’re not at the keyboard actually writing, you’re still writing, even if it is just in your head.
And isn’t it an amazing process! I just finished watching a video with Allen Arnold and the Wild at Heart guy (can’t remember his name) talking about the creative process and inviting God into it. Not writing for God, but writing with him. The results become more than the author even imagines!