Heather Thompson's Blog

Stillwater has gone digital!

Since the fall of 2023, my journey as an independent author has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. With the release of Stillwater, I’ve navigated the complex waters of book publishing, marketing, and writing, learning invaluable lessons along the way. Now, I’m excited to share that Stillwater is finally available in eBook format, making it easier than ever for you to lose yourself in its pages.

A Labor of Love and Learning

Publishing Stillwater has been an educational adventure. From mastering the art of self-publishing to understanding digital rights management, every step has been a learning opportunity. I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that this eBook not only meets but exceeds your expectations in terms of formatting and quality.

Enhanced for Your Reading Pleasure

By popular demand, I’ve included a Character Index at the front of the eBook. This addition is designed to enhance your reading experience, allowing you to keep track of the rich cast of characters that make Stillwater so captivating.

Why Stillwater as an eBook?

Convenience: Read Stillwater anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just relaxing at home, your next great read is just a tap away.Affordability: eBooks generally offer a more budget-friendly option compared to print editions, especially beneficial for avid readers looking to expand their digital library.Interactivity: The digital format allows for interactive features like hyperlinks, making navigation through the character index or revisiting your favorite scenes seamless.

Get Your Copy Today

If you’re a prolific eBook reader, here’s your chance to dive into Stillwater through Amazon. Experience the story that has been crafted with passion, now with the convenience of digital access.

Join the Adventure

Stillwater is more than just a book; it’s an invitation to explore a narrative world where every page turn brings new mysteries and discoveries. With your support, independent authors like myself can continue to share unique stories that might not find their way through traditional publishing routes.

Don’t miss out on this enchanting tale. Grab your eBook copy of Stillwater today and let the journey begin!

Download today!

Thanks for being part of this incredible journey with me. Happy reading!

 

What do you do when you’ve been broken? When people you thought you could trust in fact betray you and take a knife to who you are at your core – whether it’s true or not?

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

Being kicked around is something I’ve experienced a lot in my life, but not usually by people that I allowed into my “trust circle”; You know, the people who are supposed to protect your heart rather than destroy it. And yet, it happens – doesn’t it?

When does the enemy attack? And who does he use? The answer is, all the time and whoever is willing to come into agreement with him in their brokenness. It could be a friend, sister, boyfriend, wife, neighbor, even a pastor. If we as Christ’s elect are not vigilant, the enemy can use our weakness to bring down a brother or sister in the Lord.

What do we do when the wound is so deep that we’re not even sure it will ever heal?

Recognize where it came from. We don’t battle flesh and blood – we battle a spiritual enemy who rather we would not fight him but fight our human counterparts. When in reality, our fight should be taken to his doorstep. The only way the enemy can harm you, child of God, is in your mind.

He might try to convince you that your very character is not only contrary to who you thought you were, but contrary to the Word of God itself. All the while, you’re scratching your head asking how you could be any of the things you’re being accused of – liar, manipulator, grudge holder, gossiper – when in fact you are none of those things and take great care not to be.

Don’t let it get into your heart. Ask yourself “who does God say I am?”

That’s how we fight back. First, we know the character of our God and second, we know who He says we are because we know what He says in His book. So you can take that thought or accusation captive and either execute it or let it live. I prefer to execute the bad thoughts and accusations.

Are you in a difficult place right now? Have you been kicked and beaten down by people you love or who tried to convince you they were a safe place only to rip the rug out from under you? Remember who you’re really fighting, and to whom you belong.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus has already won our battle, friend, and even though someone has hurt you by coming into agreement with the enemy in a moment of weakness, you will be lifted up by the grace and mercy of our Lord.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

Writing can be a challenge. Not because I don’t have anything to say but because what sounds good in my mind suddenly sounds horrible when it’s typed or written out (yes, I still do handwritten notes). This is the plight many writers face, and it comes from a myriad of places; mine comes from a complete lack of confidence in my abilities.

From childhood, I wanted to be a writer. I have notebooks filled with half-baked stories, poems and other writings that survived into adulthood (simply because I haven’t thrown most of it out yet).  When I was young, I loved to read and devoured books constantly. I still have some of my old tween series books that I can’t bring myself to part with.

So where did it all go so horribly wrong? Oh, many places.

See, there’s a verse in the Bible that says that the enemy tries to wear out the saints (Daniel 7:25 ESV) and it doesn’t start when you’re an adult – it starts when you’re a child. Trauma seeds get planted into your heart, spirit and mind when you’re young and they grow into mature fears and anxieties as you reach adulthood.

No matter who you are, eventually words or actions toward you on the same topic get you thinking. If people constantly say you’re loud – you wonder if that’s true and try to regulate your sound; if you’re constantly told you’re fat well, you know where I’m going with this…

For me, I was told by outside forces (not my parents) that I was a terrible writer. These things came to my mind this week like an avalanche as I wondered what held me back from doing the one thing I always wanted to do. It started in college – liberal establishment college. My writing style didn’t fit the mold, so I had at least 4 teachers tell me I was bad at it, even though I graduated with a minor in professional writing.

Then it happened again with my first job; I was assigned to write a short blurb for a company we worked with, so I did. My boss told me to write it again, so I did. Then he told me to write it again, so I did. Until it became very heartbreaking to me that no matter how I wrote this blurb it wasn’t good enough. Then, in front of a colleague of mine, he told her that I was a terrible writer.

And just like that – zing.

The wonderful thing about God is that we are not the words formed against us. We are the words HE formed for us. My God wanted me to write; He gave me that gift. Am I perfect? No. Is the worldly critique of writing subjective? Absolutely, it is. But, I am not required to hold or even entertain negative words against me that are contrary to what my God says about me.

So, I won’t. And neither should you.

“Dare to be different;” We hear that a lot in American society – even fall prey to its charms. We believe that if we’re unique and different then we are special. However, this entire concept is predicated on the belief that if OTHERS see us as unique then, and only then, we are special. Yet, we don’t seem to care how God sees us.

As Christians, we must be aware of the difference between being of the world and in the world. So many God-fearing believers get trapped in societal rituals or norms while making excuses like “this is just how it’s done” without stopping to consider if this is how God wants it done.

It’s far too easy to be caught up in the world’s standard of “individuality” when we are looking at the world every single day. We consume online content, television shows and news that does not and will not glorify God and then wonder how our society has traveled so far in the wrong direction. Christians start to believe that we must participate in cultural rituals like “dare to be different” or, my personal favorite, “follow your heart” to fit in.

I’ll be honest; nothing irritates me more than adults telling young people to follow their heart because in Jeremiah 17:9 the Bible says your “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” In the west, the seat of our emotions is the heart. So, when we talk about “follow your heart” we are saying follow your emotions no matter where they lead.

Well quite frankly that’s stupid.

If the Bible tells us that our hearts are liars, then we can bet pretty strongly that a society that says to follow it is not of God.

Every day that we come into agreement with a fallen society and its rituals, whether it’s “follow your heart”, calling everything racist, or allowing ourselves to be manipulated by the media we are stepping further and further from Kingdom society.

In Kingdom society, we are told that men and women are equal (Galatians 3:28), that your heart is a liar, that God knew us before we were formed in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5), that God resists the proud (Proverbs 15:25; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5) and many other things that would elevate us out of our culture and into the realm of the spirit.

We are not called to immerse ourselves into American, or any other society and culture; we are called to stand out from it and be a beacon of light in a dark place. That, my friends, is the ultimate individuality.

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“Dare to be different;” We hear that a lot in American society – even fall prey to its charms. We believe that if we’re unique and different then we are special. However, this entire concept is predicated on the belief that if OTHERS see us as unique then, and only then, we are special. Yet, we don’t seem to care how God sees us.

As Christians, we must be aware of the difference between being of the world and in the world. So many God-fearing believers get trapped in societal rituals or norms while making excuses like “this is just how it’s done” without stopping to consider if this is how God wants it done.

It’s far too easy to be caught up in the world’s standard of “individuality” when we are looking at the world every single day. We consume online content, television shows and news that does not and will not glorify God and then wonder how our society has traveled so far in the wrong direction. Christians start to believe that we must participate in cultural rituals like “dare to be different” or, my personal favorite, “follow your heart” to fit in.

I’ll be honest; nothing irritates me more than adults telling young people to follow their heart because in Jeremiah 17:9 the Bible says your “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” In the west, the seat of our emotions is the heart. So, when we talk about “follow your heart” we are saying follow your emotions no matter where they lead.

Well quite frankly that’s stupid.

If the Bible tells us that our hearts are liars, then we can bet pretty strongly that a society that says to follow it is not of God.

Every day that we come into agreement with a fallen society and its rituals, whether it’s “follow your heart”, calling everything racist, or allowing ourselves to be manipulated by the media we are stepping further and further from Kingdom society.

In Kingdom society, we are told that men and women are equal (Galatians 3:28), that your heart is a liar, that God knew us before we were formed in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5), that God resists the proud (Proverbs 15:25; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5) and many other things that would elevate us out of our culture and into the realm of the spirit.

We are not called to immerse ourselves into American, or any other society and culture; we are called to stand out from it and be a beacon of light in a dark place. That, my friends, is the ultimate individuality.

This is a world of echo chambers and mirrors. We only hear and see what we want. So many of us walk around blind to our short comings because society produces a lack conviction and emotional maturity needed to handle the fact that eventually we all need to change somewhere, somehow.

It is much easier to point out the speck in someone else’s eye, than to deal with the plank we have in our own. This is why it’s difficult, as a human being, to put your work “out there” for the world to see and risk onslaughts of negativity. Usually, a creator of any kind (movies, music, books, art etc.) is proud and excited about their work but has to muster up the courage to share it with the world.

Writing a book is like that. I poured my heart, time, money and everything else into something that made me feel vulnerable and I was essentially willing to place myself on a chopping block while offering the axe to passersby. Why? What is wrong with me? It’s so much easier to keep my heart hidden and covered than to expose it to the world’s jaded ridicule – especially with a first book.

Perhaps it’s because I don’t lack conviction. In fact, I’d place a strong bet that I have it in spades. When the Lord speaks I hope I answer with a “here I am Lord, send me” which I would immediately follow with a “protect my heart from those seeking to destroy me.”

The story of Stillwater is so real and the characters are so alive that I had no choice but to write it. They lived in my head bursting to get out for people to read, enjoy, criticize, judge and every other thing under the sun. As the creator, you feel personally attacked when someone doesn’t like your work. But Jesus was often personally attacked. “What good can come from Nazareth” they said. Yikes. He was called a heretic, a blasphemer and every other name under the sun.

Is writing a book the same as our Savior living, preaching and dying on the cross? No. But He did say if the world hates me, they will hate you also.

So, find joy when you face trials because they produce in you perseverance as it says in James 1; because the battle is not ours to begin with.

When I get to heaven I want to hear the words “well done, good and faithful servant” even if those words were for writing a book.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It can also be the busiest, most stressful and often unfulfilling time if we are focused on the wrong things.

This season isn’t about who gave the best gift, spent the most or even received more, it is about how much we love each other – but most importantly how much we love God.

So, I ask that the Lord send you peace, hope and joy as He raises your spirits, mends broken hearts and restores what the enemy has stolen. We are children of the Most High God, joint heirs with His son Jesus who was born to take our sin and hang on a cross that we deserved.

Praise the Lord who paid my debt. Praise the Lord for His son Jesus.

Merry Christmas.

It is a great honor to receive a five-star review from Literary Titan.

There are no words for the emotions I feel at how well Stillwater is being received by readers. This is truly amazing!

Literary Titan Review:

Heather Thompson’s Stillwater is an evocative narrative set in the heart of Georgia, delving into the complexities of faith within a contemporary setting. Through the lens of fiction, Thompson explores themes of belief, societal norms, and the ethereal realm with deft narrative skill.

Centered on Harriet, a Christian woman who begins her journey in a state of self-reflection about her religious practices, the story unfolds to reveal the intricate facets of her life, including her romantic relationships. As Harriet wrestles with her convictions, readers are invited to understand the intricacies of her spiritual journey.

Deceptively nuanced, Stillwater evolves from its seemingly straightforward beginning into a tale rich with unexpected twists. The townspeople, including Pastor Cole and his wife Deborah, encounter a sequence of events that redefines their connection with the divine beyond the confines of the church walls. As they face a rigorous test of faith, the narrative invites the reader to witness their courage in believing in divine protection.

Thompson’s writing shines as it poses universal questions that resonate with a broad audience, prompting a personal introspection about spirituality and the afterlife. The book is further enriched by vivid descriptions, especially of celestial beings, setting up a stark dichotomy between light and darkness.

Unpredictable and engaging, Thompson’s portrayal of Harriet is compelling, offering a mirror to the reader’s own experiences with faith and the infinite. Stillwater is a stirring read for enthusiasts of spiritually themed literature, and it comes with a heartfelt recommendation for those seeking a book that stirs the soul and provokes thought.

 

If you would like to buy a copy of my book you can do so here.

Writing a book is hard but the hardest part is getting your book into the hands of people you know would enjoy it. Therein lies the challenge.

However, if you prayerfully ask the Lord to fill in the gaps where your humanity ends, He will never disappoint.

This morning, a wonderful book viewer by the name of Robin Willson posted about Stillwater on her very popular blog Books You Can Feel Good About and I am so thrilled as God leads the momentum for what I know will be an amazing journey not just for me, but for readers as well.

Thank you so much for the amazing promotion Robin!

Now, let’s see what God builds!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Heather Thompson’s Freshman Novel Stillwater is Now Available

ATLANTA, September 10, 2023: Heather Thompson announces her freshman novel, Stillwater, is now available for purchase at www.heatherthompsonbooks.com, or through the publisher Yawn Publishing LLC.

Venture into a sleepy Georgia town that is jolted awake through a series of spiritual events designed to steal, kill and destroy. Follow Harriet Gordon and Cole Warren simultaneously as they engage in the same battle on two different fronts for the purpose of saving the town, and God’s people in it.

Harriet and Cole are joined by a host of supernatural allies, including angel army captain Abiah and a warrior named Lee. Join the angelic fighters as the battle rages on earth and in the heavens. Be ready for warfare, prayer and the thrilling journey in the battle for Stillwater.

Heather Thompson is a former communications professional turned youth pastor with an affinity for writing. After spending more than a decade in the corporate world, God changed the course of her life dramatically and has since required her to walk by faith, not by sight. Her first novel, Stillwater, is a strep of faith on an unknown path that only the Lord can see.

She has a Bachelor’s in English with a minor in professional writing from Kennesaw State University and a Master’s in Strategic Public Relations from The George Washington University. She currently lives in Georgia with her horses, cats and dog.

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