Chasing Your Dream

 This is a post from February 2014, but it fits here today

Today I listened to a young man, Jacob Salem, from Olivet Nazarene University, preach. I enjoyed it. What caught my attention was not the running leap from the podium, but the scripture he used. 

Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab's two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. (1 CHRONICLES 11:22)

I do not know if he has read the book "Chase the Lion" by Mark Batterson (I haven't yet either), but whether he did or not, the question both ask is basically the same:

Do you trust God enough to chase your dream, even if it looks crazy?

WELL?

Are you?

The sermon prompted me to reflect on all that surrounded the publication of my first book, The Bee in the Blackberry Bush. 

When I began to chase this dream in July 2012, I set aside the facts:

• I was no expert in writing
• English was my worst subject growing up
• I had no talent in art (I can not draw a straight line with a ruler)
• I did not know any illustrators
• I had no money to pay an illustrator
• I had no money to pay an editor
• I did not have a good name for the story
• I did not have the money to pay a printer/vanity publisher
• I had no experience in book design 
• I did not know any translators (this comes into play later)
• I had no money to pay translators
• I had no platform

Despite what has happened. 

The Bee in the Blackberry Bush is published in print in 3 languages, 2 in Kindle format. The title was given to me by Garrett Lee, who also assisted in editing the book. Garrett's brother Don is an excellent illustrator, and both brothers donated their services(This was Don's first published work, WOW, he has a future, hire him). I learned how to self-publish for next to nothing. I learned how to design a book(this is harder than it looks). Two great people took up the challenge of translating the book into their own languages.

It was a lot, A LOT, of work, but it was worth it.

Update: At this time, I have self-published twelve more books (11 nonfiction, 1 fiction) and have also helped others get their work published. I know of at least 20 books that are in print because I helped encourage or actually format the books. I have 6 drafts of fiction books (Okay, Confession: I've been afraid to do the work to finish releasing them, but that is going to change).

How did all of this happen? I chased the lion (And I will again).

I can not promise this will happen for you, but if you do nothing, nothing is what you will have.

Published and Drafts

* I am not endorsing Mark Batterson and he is not endorsing this blog.

He has never heard of me, I'm sure.