Start Here: A Guide to "Well Guided"
Start here to read this memoir of the surprises in store when a Higher Power has the conn.
I have avoided telling this story for a good fifteen years. There are a couple of reasons for the delay. First of all, I needed that time to grow as a writer. But more importantly, I was deathly afraid of applying for a job and being judged as too much of a religious nut-case for serious consideration.
But life is different now. I'm retired, for one thing. So the pressure to earn a living is gone, the time to write has become available, and my writing skills have improved. Plus, I started working with a writing mentor. In short, the timing is right.
And, for another thing, interest in spirituality is on the rise, but opportunities to hear stories about how that works in real life seem to be less available. Less available, at least, compared to my experience growing up in (and now holding leadership in) a church where sharing stories of God's hand in our lives was/is a routine occurrence.
If you're looking to go deeper on your spiritual journey, I hope you'll find my story encouraging and inspirational. May it prepare you for someday sharing stories of your own.
Before we get too far into this, let me assure you this is not a thinly veiled attempt to preach, proselytize, or convince. I’m here to share and to inspire.
Now that I’ve gotten that disclaimer out of the way, let’s get started.
Use this guide to follow the story as it progresses or, if the party has already started, to pick up what you've missed.
Introduction
One person’s weird is another person’s normal.
Part 1: Getting Started
Life is a jigsaw puzzle without the lid.
Only through questioning can we find the truth.
My parents taught me to give God the credit...and the message stuck.
Seek not to know your future. Only through questioning can you find the truth.
Part 2: The Store
We began our business with God's blessing, thinking "How hard could it be?"
I just assumed that the spiritual pilgrim in me would be sitting this one out.
It took sixteen years before I could finally make the full connection.
Sometimes you just have to cut your losses.
Part 3: Preparing to Write
I was so ready to give up those darn reading glasses!
The Great CEO handed me new mission. No timeline. No project plan. Just begin.
The Great Comedian just loves to wake me up at night, with words or music.
The Great Teacher tends to step back and let me figure things out for myself.
Part 4: Beginning the First Book
What did I know about writing a book? At least I knew how to do research.
Writing this first book was like being on an emotional roller coaster.
In book writing, they say controversy is good. But that's not all it is.
As an aspiring author, the internet was inspiration, frustration, and distraction.
For writers, one week's distraction is another week's source material.
By now, I expected The Great Editor to help me out. I wasn't disappointed.
Ch 19: Publishing, Sort of… & Epilogue — Re-Write Release Date: January 2, 2025
I look forward to reading your thoughts. Thank you for sharing!