NOT NOW! It’s too soon for Christmas!

Many books have a presence in the cyber world on Amazon.com. My books are in the company of those of 5,000,000 other authors! The problem with being an author in the United States is that people are reading less and less. I learned while in Israel that per capita more books are printed in Israel than any other country in the world. I need to get my book translated to Hebrew!

I have written books to be read. It takes work to write a book. Although at times the material for the book pops out, and goes on the page easily, it is not in presentable format. Sarah can tell you from proofing my books when I write the tenses I use get all messed up, so what was written needs improvement. The author of a book goes through the book seven or more times to make sure what was written is accurate, to correct spelling and punctuation errors, and to remedy other issues.

I write books because there are things I desire to share, and things that need to be shared. I want people to understand the world of Biblical times. I desire to open doors for people to understand the Jewishness of the New Testament. I want the world to see the reality and truthfulness of scripture. It takes hard work to write a book, and harder work to market a book.

Because Christmas is now only two months away, it is time to recommend my book Advent Journeys to those who are reading this blog. Advent Journeys is enjoyable to read, for yourself or as a gift for you to give. In the pages of this book Sarah and I have worked to bring out the real meaning of Christmas.

Each week during the Christmas season, Advent Journeys invites people to walk with men and women of the Christmas story. The first week, readers will join Zechariah in the Temple. The second week, the reader will walk alongside Joseph and Mary as they journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On the third week, a shepherd shares what life is like in the fields. During the fourth week, the reader will journey with the Magi from Persia to Bethlehem. The fifth week contains Joseph’s journals from the day he leaves Bethlehem until the time he settles with his family back in Nazareth. The fifth week is shared to help people get ready for the New Year. The book includes a bonus Chanukah week, written through the experiences of a Maccabee. Each day’s presentation includes a short journal and three or four thought ideas and questions.

The books, especially (at this time of year) Advent Journeys, are great reads. Advent Journeys can actually bring someone (if read) a better Christmas.

A Dyslexic Author

The fact that I can proof my own book (sɘɘ yɘsterday’s blog - I am awaiting a proof copy of my new book Advent Journeys) is an amazing thing, for I am dyslɘxic and ɘxcept for early intervɘntion just rɘading (not to mention writing) would bɘ with great difficulty  I “was” backwards so my reading “saw” incorrect.  What I “was” “saw” always a great problem.  

OOPS! did it again.  I always had problems when a word appeared with those three letters: “asw” and read the word I “was” incorrectly 100% of the time.  And sometimes what I “was” could not be detected correctly by context.  This “saw” always a problem.

I “bah” problems with other words also, and sometimes with the letters “d” and “b”. How do you know which way they are pointing when your eyes won’t tell you.  I like the word “ɘyɘ” because there is no way to see it backwards.

I knɘw I “bah” qrodlɘms dɘcausɘ by thirb gradɘ I spent more tiɘm in the princiqal’s officɘ than in the classroom.  By fourth grade my parents “bah” mɘ in a spɘcial school.  I learned to typɘ in the spɘcial school (thɘy colored the kɘys by where my fingers should hit) in ordɘr to sloooowwww down my rɘading to hɘlq me see lettɘrs in thɘir proqɘr order.  I attɘnded the spɘcial school for tow yɘars, and it hɘlqed immɘnsely.  I began to see words properly, and slowly began to rɘad. What I “saw” “was” corrɘct.

By sixth gradɘ I “was” enrolled in rɘgular classes.  But was vɘry bɘhind in English.  I learned the diffɘrence betwɘen nouns and vɘrbs.  I coulb genɘrally idɘntify advɘrbs and pronouns.  But to this day I do not know which participlɘs are hanging and which arɘ sitting or standing.

Which rɘally doɘs not matter, bɘcause I have friɘnds with grɘat patiencɘ who proof-rɘad most of what I right in ordɘr to hɘlp me gɘt words writɘ.  The main point of all this is, when I was young people laughed at me, so I learned to laugh at myself, and have fun.  I have tried to includɘ this fun in my latest book: Advɘnt Journeys.

A New Book: almost done!

A finished project is always a good feeling, and my latest book is almost done.  Today it has been uploaded for proofing … and if successful, I hope will be available the first week of November.

What is it you ask?  The title of the book is Advent Journeys.  The book is what the title indicates, it is an advent reader which will take you on journeys.  The book is a collection of journals from Zachariah (father of John the Baptist), Joseph (husband of Mary and father of Jesus), a shepherd, a magi, and a Maccabee.  The reader will travel with these individuals as they intersect with the Christmas story.

Each journal is short (for easy reading, 400 words) and seven days long, which gives each week a theme. Week 1 we will visit the Temple as Zechariah serves and is told by the Angel his wife will have a son.  At the start of week two Joseph receives a tax notice, and we will walk with Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Week three will be spent watching sheep outside Bethlehem.  During week four we will cover a huge distance from Mount Alvand, Iran to Bethlehem.   With added scripture and thought provoking questions I hope the reading will add a fuller dimension and more joy to the Christmas.  During the fifth week we will travel with Joseph and Mary to Egypt.  The readings during the fifth week will help the reader look forward to the new year.  A sixth week of eight days is added to the book for interfaith families, or for those who desire to know more about how Chanukah was viewed in the time of Jesus.

Why did I write a book?  For several reasons: First: Advent has a lot of meaning for our family.  We read scripture and books, planned activities, ate special foods, and went on trips to enhance the meaning of Christmas.  Second: After going to Israel I wondered what the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem was like, so I followed Israel Route 60 on Google Earth, and then visited the places on facebook and other sites, and discovered a road rich in Bible history.  I was hooked, and followed others in the Christmas story.  Third: as I shared what I had written with Scribblers (a Mooresville writing group), they liked it so much, I put it in a book.

The book will be out in early November (I hope), and I hope you will order a copy and join the people in the Christmas story as they journey on that first Christmas.