I'm excited to introduce you to author, editor and minister Martin Wiles, who is our featured guest this week. I invite you to become acquainted with this dedicated man of God and his work.
I
played around with writing a little when I was in college. For some reason, I
began writing poetry. Poetry had never been a genre of literature I read
earlier in my life, so I’m not quite sure why I was pulled in this direction.
When my father died in 2009, I became serious about writing. How the two were
connected, I’m not sure, but I believe I received a clear call at that moment.
My father never wrote anything except the sermons he preached and the Bible
studies he taught. Nor did he ever have anything published. Though I have
written a few articles, most of my writing—which began at that point, is
devotional in nature.
How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of
words per day?
My personal writing consists of five days each week: Monday
through Friday. I think every writer needs a day or two off to refresh. My
morning routine is to eat breakfast and then head to my computer. Since I’m a
devotional writer, my goal is to write around 400 words each morning. I am also
a freelance editor, so I also spend a part of my day editing the devotions of
other writers. I see this as my contribution to help other writers succeed.
Doing so also keeps me sharp on my editing and proofing skills which in turn
helps me become a better writer.
You recently had another book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?
My most recent book—Grits,
Gumbo, and Going to Church, was published by SonRise Devotionals, an
imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. This is a follow up to Grits and Grace and God, also published
by LPC three years ago. Both books have a Southern theme. The most recent
contains 30 devotions which have stories about my years growing up as a
preacher’s kid—along with the practical spiritual application I learned.
Readers can purchase the book from LPC (http://ow.ly/iXLi304EQV8),
Amazon (http://ow.ly/UWqQ304ER0L), and
Barnes and Noble (http://ow.ly/InlP304ERb8).
Where do you get ideas?
My
ideas come from real life and my personal experiences. I write short devotions
because I believe more people will read something brief. Studies about our
decreasing attention spans support my philosophy. God has taken me on a number
of unpleasant journeys during my lifetime, but he has also taught me some
important spiritual and life lessons along the way. I attempt to share these
with readers who may be experiencing similar occurrences in their life. I also
see spiritual lessons all around me every day through my life experiences and
those of others.
Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the
work, and the joy of being a writer. How
tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what
discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who’s inspired you the most?
One of the most discouraging things about having my writing
published is the editing process. Since I’m a freelance editor myself, I know
how frustrating it can be for an author to please an editor. For me, once I’ve
written what was on my heart, it’s difficult to change anything, but over the
years I’ve learned to take an editor’s advice whether I enjoy it or not. The
finished product is always better.
Another frustration is the rejections. They seem to mount up
quicker than the acceptances do. This too just comes with the territory.
And I suppose the temptation to be jealous of other writers
is also a frustration. Through the advice of sound Christian authors and
editors, I’ve also learned to let go of the jealousy and instead to be glad
about what God does for every author.
The flip side of rejections is the challenge to find a
publisher who will publish my book, accept my article, or publish one or more
of my devotions. When the acceptance letters come or the contract arrives, the
sweat of the creative process becomes worth it.
Would you explain how you “chose” (or was chosen by) a
publisher? Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the
success you’ve experienced?
I had been affiliated with Christian Devotions for a couple
of years by way of submitting devotions to their website and by attending their
annual writer’s conference at The Cove. When Eddie Jones founded Lighthouse
Publishing of the Carolinas, I approached him about the possibility of
publishing one of my devotional books. He agreed and chose the Southern theme.
My original book was a compilation of 365 devotions. Due to cost and sale
ability, Eddie decided to divide it into three works. Grits and Grace and God was the first, and Grits, Gumbo, and Going to Church
is the second. Whether the third will be published, I’m not sure. It may depend
on sales.
I doubt I will ever sit back, relax, and be satisfied. My
personality bucks against it. I will continue writing and posting to my
website—whether another book is published or not.
Bio
Martin lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love
Lines from God. He is an author, minister, and freelance editor. He is the
author of Grits & Grace and God and
Grits, Gumbo and Going to Church. He
serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions (www.christiandevotions.us) and
Assistant Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. He and his wife
are parents of two and grandparents of three.
Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check
it out? Anything else you’d like to
share? Promotional information?
Social media links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/linesfromgod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelinesfromgod
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/martinwiles
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