Ask the Author: Patricia Raybon
Answered Questions (4)
Patricia Raybon
I'm writing a book with my daughter on our interfaith struggle for peace. The working title is "Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace."
It's the book I never expected to write--because I never expected that my daughter, who was raised in the church, would convert to Islam (or any other faith.) This happened 10 years and it became the elephant in the room, as the saying goes. After 10 years, it was past time to bring the beast out of the closet. (And, yes, that's mixing a lot of metaphors.)
So I invited my daughter to work through our divisions by writing a book. She agreed and my agent--who's now "our" agent--jumped aboard, loving the idea. (Our agent is best-selling author Ann Spangler, who is known for her amazing devotionals and other wonderful faith books, including her big bestsellers "Praying the Names of God" and "Women of the Bible."
My daughter Alana and I put together a proposal and Ann got it in the hands of many major publishers, including Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins Christian Publishing.) The book will be released under the Thomas Nelson imprint, "W Books." Scheduled release date is around Mother's Day in April 2015.
Well, let me be exact. That release date is April 28, 2015. An International Version (Spanish language) is also planned. The writing of this book has been an amazing challenge and privilege. Now may God bless it to help tell the world that family peace is possible and real.
That's what Alana and I have learned. We're excited for others to hear and receive our story.
It's the book I never expected to write--because I never expected that my daughter, who was raised in the church, would convert to Islam (or any other faith.) This happened 10 years and it became the elephant in the room, as the saying goes. After 10 years, it was past time to bring the beast out of the closet. (And, yes, that's mixing a lot of metaphors.)
So I invited my daughter to work through our divisions by writing a book. She agreed and my agent--who's now "our" agent--jumped aboard, loving the idea. (Our agent is best-selling author Ann Spangler, who is known for her amazing devotionals and other wonderful faith books, including her big bestsellers "Praying the Names of God" and "Women of the Bible."
My daughter Alana and I put together a proposal and Ann got it in the hands of many major publishers, including Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins Christian Publishing.) The book will be released under the Thomas Nelson imprint, "W Books." Scheduled release date is around Mother's Day in April 2015.
Well, let me be exact. That release date is April 28, 2015. An International Version (Spanish language) is also planned. The writing of this book has been an amazing challenge and privilege. Now may God bless it to help tell the world that family peace is possible and real.
That's what Alana and I have learned. We're excited for others to hear and receive our story.
Patricia Raybon
Know thyself. It's the only genuine way to know what to write, how to write it and how to market it--then how to make peace with how it all turns out. I'm amazed how long I resisted writing about my biggest life challenge--figuring out how to stay sane and make peace with my childhood and upbringing in a racist world.
In my 40s, when I decided to forgive a lot of the hate I'd experienced, that journey turned out to be my first book, "My First White Friend." Everybody has their own life story--their own struggles and successes, troubles and triumphs. As William Zinsser says, "That's your material." Well, he actually says, "It's all material." So use it.
Know your life. Then you'll know where to start your writing. Your writer's voice resides in your life, in fact. If you hate cooking, but love housework, right there those are two writing paths to claim as your own. Blog about it. Write poetry about it. Write a novel about it. Write essays about it.
Use your natural "material" and you'll never run out of things to say with writing. From there, learn from other writers. Go to writers' conferences. Great places to network and learn. Take writing classes. When you act serious about your writing, whether you're published or not, you commitment means you now are writer. Other people will see that in you. Every day, as you get to "be" a writer, you'll soon see your work in print. It's not about magic. It's about hard work. Follow that path. Every step will take you closer to your goal. Onward!
In my 40s, when I decided to forgive a lot of the hate I'd experienced, that journey turned out to be my first book, "My First White Friend." Everybody has their own life story--their own struggles and successes, troubles and triumphs. As William Zinsser says, "That's your material." Well, he actually says, "It's all material." So use it.
Know your life. Then you'll know where to start your writing. Your writer's voice resides in your life, in fact. If you hate cooking, but love housework, right there those are two writing paths to claim as your own. Blog about it. Write poetry about it. Write a novel about it. Write essays about it.
Use your natural "material" and you'll never run out of things to say with writing. From there, learn from other writers. Go to writers' conferences. Great places to network and learn. Take writing classes. When you act serious about your writing, whether you're published or not, you commitment means you now are writer. Other people will see that in you. Every day, as you get to "be" a writer, you'll soon see your work in print. It's not about magic. It's about hard work. Follow that path. Every step will take you closer to your goal. Onward!
Patricia Raybon
Reflection. That's what I love most about writing--having the time, purpose and privilege to step back from the swirls and challenges of life and think about what they mean--and what God is asking me to do, or not do, about them.
Writing is how I figure out the world and discern what the Lord is doing in it and through it. I journal almost every night before bed, in fact. Not every entry is always long and drawn out. But taking time to pause, reflect, seek God and listen--then write down what I hear--is a glorious pursuit.
To do this writing professionally is a wondrous privilege. Except for deadlines, writing never feels like work to me. It allows discovery, pursuit, exploration, surprise, hard work and sheer delight--all wrapped up in one endeavor. For all the ups and downs of starting and finishing a book, then getting it published--then connecting with readers so they'll read it--book writing is still an extraordinary vocation. To call myself a writer is a true blessing. Even more so, is meeting and connecting with the readers.
Writing is how I figure out the world and discern what the Lord is doing in it and through it. I journal almost every night before bed, in fact. Not every entry is always long and drawn out. But taking time to pause, reflect, seek God and listen--then write down what I hear--is a glorious pursuit.
To do this writing professionally is a wondrous privilege. Except for deadlines, writing never feels like work to me. It allows discovery, pursuit, exploration, surprise, hard work and sheer delight--all wrapped up in one endeavor. For all the ups and downs of starting and finishing a book, then getting it published--then connecting with readers so they'll read it--book writing is still an extraordinary vocation. To call myself a writer is a true blessing. Even more so, is meeting and connecting with the readers.
Patricia Raybon
First, I stop writing. Move away from the keyboard! I physically leave my desk, go downstairs, go outside, take a walk. Moving away physically to another place always gives me a fresh perspective. Spiritually, in that same way, I pray and ask the Lord to give me new insight. "Show me, Lord!" What am I missing? Help me see the "wrong" way I'm trying to write on "wrong" things. So show me, indeed.
That's a good prayer. In fact, prayer is a great way to break through a writing block--but also to start every writing day. To ask God: "What are YOU doing in your world today, Lord? Show me the way. Go before me." Then following Him, get back on track. Then my favorite word: Onward!
That's a good prayer. In fact, prayer is a great way to break through a writing block--but also to start every writing day. To ask God: "What are YOU doing in your world today, Lord? Show me the way. Go before me." Then following Him, get back on track. Then my favorite word: Onward!
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