Since announcing plans to finally publish Listen Up Kids: Foolish Dreams, Syncing with God, and Running as though you may Obtain it, I have had many people ask for more information and clamoring to get involved in the LUKbook Launch Team.
I’m flattered, humbled and excited. It’s been hard to respond to each one, so I thought it would be good to do a blog post that answers some of those questions. Rather than do a FAQ, though, I thought it would be novel to do an “author self-interview.”
Feel free to swipe this content and share it on your own blog or review site.
If you do use it, please comment on this post or contact me so I can be sure I am aware and link to it at LUKbook.com. I also want to encourage you to join the LUKBook launch team. A lot of great things in store. Can’t wait to connect with you.
At some point, though I set out to write the book as a letter to my kids, I realized I was writing it for myself as much as I was for them.
First off, tell us about the book, Listen Up Kids.
Listen Up Kids is my about personal journey and the lessons I learned along the way. It aims to show readers that, even as a broken and directionless child of God, it can lead to fulfillment as a purposeful servant for God’s kingdom. I show how acknowledging and relying upon God’s strength for overcoming life obstacles like shame, worry and guilt, it can open our eyes to seeing the perfect plan of preparing our lives for something meaningful.
Sounds inspiring. Why did you decide to write it?
Here’s the kicker; I didn’t decide to write this book. Listen Up Kids actually began one night as I was putting my oldest daughter to sleep. I got to thinking about her life and lives of her sisters if I were suddenly not there. And I was really convinced that I needed to document some of my key life lessons so they could be passed down in some manner. So, using my iPad, I started tapping out a letter to them. That’s what I decided to write. I was meant to be a modest yet heartfelt letter to my daughters. But I kept going and it became a book instead. It’s filled with many key life lessons that I realized could be an inspiring opportunity for anyone to model and apply in their own walk with Christ.
The book talks a lot about finding key take-a-ways in every experience. What key take-a-ways did you identify in writing the book?
At some point, though I set out to write the book as a letter to my kids, I realized I was writing it for myself as much as I was for them. It was very therapeutic to reconcile my thoughts and experiences the way that the book allowed me to do. I think that is an example of the biggest take-a-way: through selfless acts and obedience to what God calls you to do, he refines you in the process.
How long did it take to write Listen Up Kids?
That’s sort of a trick question. It has taken me my lifetime to live and learn it. It took me about twenty hours to write it, and it has taken probably 200 hours to edit and refine it. Writing was the easiest part. Once I started, the words just kept flowing.
When do you intend to publish Listen Up Kids?
My goal is to publish in October 2015, which coincides with my 39th birthday. It’s about a year later than when I originally intended to publish. I chose to hold off on the advice of some trusted friends and mentors to make sure I had the right polish and platform in place so it could reach more people. I’m really glad I took that advice.
Where can we learn more and get involved in the publishing Listen Up Kids?
I’ve created a website (LUKbook.com) that has some early information and much more will follow soon. I also have an exciting opportunity for interested individuals to get involved. At LUKbook.com, there is an inquiry form for bloggers, social media mavens and anyone really, to join the Listen Up Kids launch team. They’ll get a lot of freebies and bonus material in return for helping me get word out. I’m so excited about connecting with people and getting the message of Listen Up Kids in front of people.