Writing

A Book of Fiction, Faith, and a Dog I Couldn’t Leave Behind

Eight Fictional Stories I Wasn’t Sure Deserved a Second Chance

Sometimes the message shows up in the mouth of a dog. (AI-generated image created by the author)

I nearly forgot — In Spite of Us: A Love Story about Second Chances- isn’t my first book. There was another love, before writing our memoir. Once the memoir took over, enthusiasm for the first book faded. I didn’t even say goodbye — left it to gather dust in a forgotten computer file.

It was a collection of short stories — not devotions, not essays — fiction. The inspiration came during a group study on the Beatitudes with ladies from my church. That class opened my eyes and heart to the man behind the lessons from the Mount — Jesus.

I didn’t truly understand — thought I did. After the group experience, the idea for a book took hold. I wanted others to see the heart of Jesus, his character seemed misunderstood — even twisted.

A few weeks later, a prophet visited our ladies’ group proclaiming one of us would write a book. I knew it was me, but when someone else raised their hand, I kept quiet. The next morning I rose early, writing until, one day, it was complete. Back then, I thought my editing was sufficient. When I sent it off to publishers, rejections piled high. A few of the stories landed in an anthology and literary…