Susan, with our new book.

Hi folks, it’s me, Susan! 

I’m usually am bumped to the back page as Tom writes the lead article and teaching on the front, but I wanted to share with you the very very long process of writing a short book!

Yes, Tom has a new book out called “Following Jesus.”

I know you probably have an image in your mind of a Norman Rockwell painting of Tom sitting at his typewriter, smoking a pipe with paper scattered about the desk and floor, with me in a dress and heels serving a hot beverage.

Not so my friends! It all started months ago, which felt like centuries to me.

Tom starts with much early morning prayer with his notebook and Bible on his side table next to his brown leather La-Z-Boy in our living room. Praying in the spirit and scribbling in the notebook, which he later can’t read what he wrote.

I will arrive later in the morning and hear all about the “God words” he has received that morning about a book he wants to write for people who receive Christ in his meetings. Basically, a follow-up book for new believers and a tool for their mentors.

Tom is not, I repeat, not a fast mover when it comes to hearing God speak to him about a new thing for him to do.

He labors in the Spirit. He talks to me about it over and over again. Finally, he will tell people that he WANTS to write a book for new believers so they have a good, firm foundation and get started right in their new journey with Jesus, but, then again, great for more seasoned saints

Hey, this is progress! Ok Tom, let’s get something on paper!

Tom will then hunker down in his study off the living room, crammed with my desk and chair, a file cabinet, another La-Z-Boy, lamps, bookshelves, my grandmother’s maple hutch filled with more books, and office supplies. And, oh, Tom’s massive desk with books, laptop, monitor, and printer. No Norman Rockwell here.

He will live in his study until I almost forget his name, and his grandchildren say, “Where’s grandpa?”

Finally, Tom will produce a wad of paper and place it on the hassock in front of my chair in the living room.

He will say with a twinkle in his eye, “I have something for you to read. Now, understand, it’s a rough draft, so don’t be too hard on me.”

Well, folks, this is what he always says: “Don’t be too hard on me.”

Some of you don’t know, but Tom was a journalism major in college and later wrote for different newspapers and then became an editor of a weekly newspaper before becoming a pastor. So Tom has this newspaperman style of writing. Just the facts, ma’am. It’s so ingrained in him. Firing words like bullets. Me, I’m a talking writer. Picture writer.

Anyway, I kind of know just how this is going to rumble. I make my thoughts known with things crossed out, this needs work, move to the top, and once in a while “good.” Ha ha.

We volley back and forth till Tom feels satisfied with the results.

Now, my favorite people, we are talking chapters, not short articles for the newsletter. Many printed pages are left on my hassock day after day, century after century.

I mean, my folder of pages is getting thick, and then Tom will say: “I think I need to have a section about hell.” Good, I say, and back into the study he goes.

This plays out for months. I finally get the nickname, “Chopper,” because I’m always chopping up what that “newspaperman” has written.

I will say, “Remember who you’re talking to” or “Needs more heart or feeling.” Don’t get me wrong, Tom is an excellent writer, but just needs … well … color, and I’m the coloring set that God gave him.

I could say, “finally” again, but it would be a lie. “Next” would be a better word.

Next, we move on to the cover. Now, this is huge, since people buy what they are attracted to visually. Words are important too, but look at what you buy in the store, and it’s not dull and ugly, right?

We found a wonderful picture of when we were in Poland with our driver, navigator, Holy Ghost translator, Pastor Sangyee Nam, walking down cobblestone streets. This is great! Perfect! Moving right along, we have to choose the font and size of the title and subtitle. This, my friends, is another story, but I have a deadline to meet. Ha.

So we just about have this thing wrapped up. The inside fonts are selected and the size of print. Pictures are chosen. Credits and acknowledgements given. Time to get a real live proof from Amazon.

They say just wait 7 days and you’ll have that baby you have been slaving over for the past 90 years!

“Dun dun duuun! The short little 76-page book comes, and you look at it and you say, “Oh wow, that cover picture didn’t work and Tom needs to work on the contrast of the pictures and put borders around them and the type is too small and … and … and.

Newspaperman and Chopper go at it again and again, and then FINALLY we send off for another proof, and thank you Jesus, we have it on the shelves of Amazon and other places around the world. Hooray!

So, my friends, this is how Tom and Susan write books and newsletters.

Jesus truly is the AUTHOR and finisher.

See you next month!

Susan

Following Jesus:
A Simple Guide to the Christian Life

Get it for yourself! Get it for a friend! Get it for a family member!
“Following Jesus” lays it all out. How to be saved. Why you need Jesus. The purpose of baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit. Becoming an activated part of Jesus’ Church. It will help you and others to get a solid foundation and to grow in the Lord. By purchasing the book and leaving a review you can help us reach many people with the Good News. Available worldwide as ebook $.99 or print version $6.95. Order Now>>>