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| Amanda G. Stevens |
Have you ever written a story or had an idea for one that
just wouldn’t release its hold on you? Have you ever been discouraged because
someone thought you should toss aside the story of your heart? Read on! Author Amanda G. Stevens shares her
experience and offers encouragement. ~ Dawn
My
Stubborn
First Novel
Since before I could read, story has been my deepest
love—universal magic, the people I create weaving threads of connection to
people I’ve never met. I write because I love my characters and want others to
love them, too. Along the way, I want to be honest—about the darkness of the
world we live in and about the only true Light, Jesus Christ. And I want to
create the most excellent art I can for His glory. But sometimes that takes me
a while.
I wrote my first story in first grade and decided I was a
writer. By third or fourth grade, publishing a novel was on my list of things
to do with my life. I’ve basically never not been writing.
In December 2003, I graduated from college; in January 2004,
no longer obligated to all the papers required by an English degree, I started
drafting the first incarnation of what would become Seek and Hide. I revised it and rewrote it and scrapped it and
started over and revised it and rewrote it. I gobbled craft books and worked to
apply what I learned. For eight years, I worked on the same book.
Along the way, knowledgeable and reputable people advised me
to consider putting this book in a drawer and starting a new story. At the very
least, they said, don’t write the second book in this series. What if you never
sell the first one? I wanted to be teachable, and their advice made sense, so I
started something new. But I couldn’t care about it.
While I was engaging in author-angst over this, a writer friend
asked me, “What do you want more? Yourself to be published, or this series to
be published?” I don’t think she expected my answer, but I’m grateful she
asked. After that conversation, I returned to Seek and Hide. And revised some more.
In 2011, I drafted the second book in the series. My agent
signed me in May 2012 and then worked with me on needed story edits. In October
2013, she called to tell me David C Cook had offered a contract.
I’d never say everyone should be as stubborn about that
first novel as I was. Not everyone reaches their goal by the same path. But if,
like me, that story won’t leave you alone … maybe there’s a reason. If it’s not
ready, don’t despair that it never can be. Learn craft. Be ruthless in
revising. Trust God’s path for you even if it’s unusual; and to do that, focus
on Him before you focus on your story. (I type this reminder to myself as
well.) Falling sparrows matter to Him. Surely the stories He gifts us matter,
too.
Six
years ago, the government took control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles
are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and
other regulations. Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, will do anything to protect
his church family from imprisonment—including risk his own freedom to gain the
trust of a government agent.
Aubrey
Weston recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. Now
released, she just wants to provide for her son and avoid government notice.
But she's targeted again, and this time, her baby is taken into custody. If
only she'd never denied Him, maybe God would hear her pleas for help.
When
Aubrey and Marcus's lives collide, they are forced to confront the lies they
believe about themselves. And God is about to grab hold of Marcus's life in a
way he'd never expect, turning a loner into a leader.
As a child, Amanda
G. Stevens disparaged Mary Poppins
and Stuart Little because they could
never happen. Now, she writes speculative fiction. Holding a Bachelor of
Science degree in English, she has taught literature and composition to
home-school students. She lives in Michigan and loves books, film, music, and
white cheddar popcorn.
To learn more and connect with Amanda, please visit these
sites:
(website) Amanda
G. Stevens Books
