I’m pretty much an open book, and if you pay attention, you can follow me as I work my way through life. I don’t pick random flaws and challenges for my characters to experience. I choose those in which I’m dealing with myself. So if you want to know me, all the good and bad, then just read my books. Or anything I write. Or don’t write…
You haven’t heard from me in a while, which says something too. Yes, I have been working on a new book, and I’m quite sure it’s the best I’ve ever written, but there’s more to it than that. I’ve had my head down because the shit hit the fan for me. I’ll abuse another worn-out cliche: when it rains, it pours.
In the last few months, obstacles have come at me from every direction, and they’ve come at me hard. Outside of losing people I love and the years surrounding my diagnosis of focal dystonia, which stripped me of my music career, I can’t remember facing so much fear and pain and sadness.
Thankfully, I can always find solace in writing. I can put my head down and fall into this place where words pass through me. When I’m there, I’m safe and joyful and plugged into something far bigger than me—assuring me I’m doing something right.
I don’t need to get into the details of my own strife, but I’m sure you can imagine them, as I know you have hard times too. That’s why I’m writing. Not to dump upon you my troubles but to connect with you, because you're probably dealing with hardships too. Aren’t we all? And if you’re not going through stuff at this exact moment, you have in the past and know exactly what I’m talking about.
I’m ahead of schedule on my book, so it’s allowing me some time to take a breather and recharge. I’m doing a lot of walking with my dogs, spending time with family, reading, meditating, and drinking tea (I have a budding tea problem)—all while sitting with and accepting and facing the challenges that have presented themselves. What I’m trying to do is embrace the storm as opposed to running or hiding from it, and I’m finding so many answers in the quiet spaces.
The truth is that I’ve been hiding and escaping. I’ve been overworking and overdoing a lot of other things too. I’ve been so focused on establishing and finding my inner safety—reconciling the imbalance in my nervous system and my tendency toward fight, flight, or freeze—that I’ve forgotten to lift up my head and open my heart. I’d forgotten that loving those around me and loving strangers and giving everyone in my life kindness and compassion is as important as focusing on my inward development. In fact, I can’t fully develop inwardly without sharing the peace and love that I have within.
As I come up for air, I am reminded of why I started writing. Not only because I had something to say, but because I wanted to help people, like books have helped me. I wanted to share the struggles that I face in hopes that maybe I can give a little hope to some of you who are going through similar things. Perhaps we can climb out of our difficulties together. I write because it is my strongest tool in doing my little part to make the world a brighter place.
Someone wrote me just yesterday and said
The Singing Trees inspired them to start painting again, and that she is now passionately searching for her voice as an artist. Not too long ago, someone told me they had lost a tremendous amount of weight after being inspired by Margot in the
Red Mountain stories. I get these emails quite often. This is why I write and I remember that today. No, I’m not a neurosurgeon. I’m just a halfway bright and lucky guy from Spartanburg, South Carolina who has had some great leaders in my life and who was fortunate enough to find what I’m meant to do. I can’t change the world but…
… read the rest by clicking here. Then come back for my book recommendations. (I'll wait.) 
