For the last six months (or three years, depending on who you ask), I’ve been working on my third book. At first, it was going to be about riding my bike across the country and learning lessons in community along the way. But then some not-so-great life stuff happened and I needed a respite. A year later, I thought it was going to be about how to live in the present moment. That idea didn’t work out so well because I learned along the way I was doing too darn good at running from the present moment.
But then my editor said to not think about it for six months. Don’t talk to him about it for six months. Do nothing about it for six months.
I’m so glad God has put smart people in my life.
During that six months, I was able to take a breath and look back at what was making my heart beat. What was the one message I had to tell? That I’ve lived, am living, and will always live and love?
We landed it. I’ve been working on it since.
Presently, it is very much in the [Crappy] First Draft* situation. But at the end of this month, I get to turn this [C]FD in to Thomas Nelson and in about ten months or so, you’ll be able to buy it.
People have asked me what it’s about…and I wish I had a title for it (for some reason, that part just hasn’t illuminated itself to us) so, in a nut shell (as it sits now, which is both subject and likely to change in the editing process):
It’s about vulnerability in relationships, particularly those with other believers. It’s going beyond the word “community” and talks how to figure out how you relate to others, and themes of vulnerable and committed relationships. It offers characteristics for both when you “need a person” and for when you need to “be the person” as we carry each other through life.
I’d love to hear any feedback you have – questions you have about relationships, good experiences, lessons learned, what you feel you need when it comes to having functioning healthy community in the Body of Christ. Feel free to leave it in the comments below or on Twitter or Facebook!
Thanks for hanging in the interlude with me the past three years!
*[C]FD is my PG13 translation of an Anne Lamott expression.