In the 11th grade of high school, multi-published, multiple award-winning author Dan Walsh (Word Weavers Volusia County) realized he had a talent for writing. “I started to do something about it then,” he says, “but two years later, I shifted my career goals toward becoming a pastor.”

By 2011, when his friend Mark Hancock decided to launch a Word Weavers chapter in Volusia County, Florida, Dan, who falls within the 65-70 age group, had already gotten back into writing. “It was 2007, I was 50 years old, and I started working on a Christmas novel called The Unfinished Gift. After doing everything I could to get it ready, I began to submit it to a number of A List Christian fiction literary agents.”

To his great surprise, 2 of the first 3 liked what they saw and asked to read the entire book.

“I signed with Karen Solem, who landed a contract with Baker/Revell six weeks later. The book released as a hardback in 2009.”

If that’s not impressive enough, in 2010, The Unfinished Gift won two Carol Awards (ACFW). By then, Dan had signed a contract with Revell for the sequel. “Things kind of took off after that. Revell wanted me to write full-time and made that financially possible in 2010. I wound up writing 12 novels for them and one for Guideposts.”

In 2015, Dan made the leap to the Indie world, and has since written 15 more novels on his own. Was there a reason for the switch?

“There was. Revell was working to brand me as the Nicholas Sparks of Christian Fiction. That sounded good until I realized they weren't open to me writing anything outside of that narrow lane. I loved writing these kinds of books but also wanted to write books outside that genre. As an indie, I've begun to write suspense novels.

Dan has also written two successful 4-book series. His last work, which was his 28th novel, came out last October. “What's Best For Them was my best book launch yet.”

Absolutely it was. What’s Best for Them went to #1 on Amazon in 3 categories and stayed there for 10 weeks.

Something fun and interesting about Dan? “I have a great-great uncle on my mother's side who was a famous Civil War photographer. I'm also a pretty decent crooner.”

Next time you see Dan, be sure to ask him to sing for his supper.

Dragged by a horse galloping down a dirt path almost cut my life short. In a six-week coma, my life hung by a thread. God traveled with me, and I learned I had a purpose.

Years later, I would make a difference with word pictures. My journey to recovery prompted my dream to make a difference. Recovery became a necessity, failure, not an option. I vowed never to give up on myself, thus the people I intended to help along their road to recovery. The will to give back from the challenges I faced stays with me to this day.

While fighting my way through school, writing papers and projects provided not only an escape from a cruel world for a challenged child, but also gave me pleasure. I remember how I enjoyed learning. The idea of writing a book to help others in similar situations took root. Throughout my four years of college, I published a poem, excelled, and completed an internship in the marketing department of a corporation. This experience, working with professionals and gaining added marketing knowledge boosted my confidence to develop a plan for marketing my book venture.

The next decade and beyond, facts and memories for my first book found themselves on paper and shelved. My husband and I discussed children since my clock was ticking. Given a second chance, we chose adoption. The accounts of both our adoptions, both unique, found themselves on paper as a creative non-fiction story. I wrote this story as a keepsake for our children, and soon my words turned into something more. I felt a calling to share our difficult and heart-wrenching journey, from the beginning to the end with multiple bumps along the way.

Maybe our troublesome situations, and the way we handled them, would help other adoptive parents. Like many moms, I took advantage of nap times and school hours to write and later contact publishers. After many submissions and rejection letters, I self-published. While writing my second book, the creative non-fiction story of a child left for dead, I continued to use my marketing background to market my books, social media, speaking engagements, book signings, even radio interviews, etc. This soon became overwhelming, and not enough. I filed and shelved my work again.

Continuing to write from personal experience as my son and daughter matured, I published a few e-books about additional life events. Besides two tumultuous decades, I dealt with divorce toward the end. It took another ten years to recover from anger and discover beauty again, leading to where I find myself today, blossoming from my shell.

Yes, I believe things happen for a reason. Recently, I rekindled my dream of writing a book. Researching how to make it reality this time took center stage, and by chance, a friend invited me to join her at her writers’ group. I found an instant connection among like-minded women. Alas, my writing journey continues, with a light in the distance. Maybe my dream, helping people in similar situations will become a reality. 

“God is not unjust; I will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6).

Ines A Hatch, an upcoming author with her first creative non-fiction story, an account of her life with TBI. Hatch relays the struggle, pain, and anguish growing up with physical and mental disabilities.  Her long road to recovery with disabilities and challenges, was met with her strength, determination and perseverance. Hatch knows the stress of living with challenges and disabilities, the toll it takes on a person every day. As spokesperson for the new Giving Back to Those Who Served program, Hatch provides encouragement, support, and hope for challenged individuals, veterans and their families. This author enjoys family time, reading, animal rescue and spending time with her cat.

She is a member of the Maggie Valley Word Weavers Group.

Tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the work you have received from the Lord” (Col 4:17 NIV).

Is the Lord trying to tell me something? 

Yes! 

Archippus was an early Christian believer, mentioned here and in Philemon 1:2 and referred to as a “fellow soldier.” Other than this, we have no other mention of him in the Bible. Tradition tells us he was one of the 72 disciples appointed by Jesus in Luke 10:1 or we can trust the Apostolic Constitutions revealing Archippus as the first bishop of Laodicea. Sadly, that church was neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:15). Many believe Archippus was stoned to death. 

Somehow, I identify with Archippus. I have written enough material to publish three or four books, but they’re filed away in boxes or filed in three ring binders. Occasionally the Lord’s love letter is a push in the right direction. 

So I pause to ponder.

How many farmers plow their fields only to leave them unseeded?
Does a cook spend precious time preparing a meal only to throw it away?
What carpenter builds a bookcase and then leaves it half finished?
Who writes books only to hide them in a drawer? 

Suddenly, I’m aware of the truth: incomplete work haunts, nags and frustrates. 

Am I the only one with this problem?

I begin to see, in my imagination, the celebration of the farmer sowing the seed and reaping a harvest. I watch the cook prepare and serve the best meal for his friends and family. The carpenter finishes that bookshelf and fills it with welcoming books. 

So, I went to my office, removed that article, those workbooks, and even the Bible Study, getting them ready to launch. I want to finish what I’ve started. 

Is it my imagination or is there a whisper in the air, “Well done, My good and faithful servant?”

So, if you’re feeling a little Archippus, then join me in this prayer:

Father God, Creator of heaven and earth, please create in me the desire to finish what you’ve sent me to do. I apologize for procrastinating and doubting myself. Help me trust you’ve given me the skills and abilities needed for the job. Keep me from listening to other voices and not yours. Lord, lean in and breathe life into this work so that together we might delight in it. Thank you so much. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Christine Malkemes is a retired Army Officer and Vietnam Era Vet (Women’s Army Corps). She a wife, mother, grandmother, and teaching pastor credentialed with the Assemblies of God.  Her community on line, is Sister Disciples at https://www.christinemalkemes.com  She participates in an online group, page 12, facilitator: Anna Miller