I'm absolutely ecstatic to host Martin Wiles and hear about his latest devotional. He has an impressive bio, and I can't wait for you all to check out his newest work.
Martin, welcome!
We're going to mix things up a little with our questions today.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
For me, the marketing. All publishers expect authors to do this now. It can be time-consuming—and expensive if paying someone else to do it for you. I also try to promote other authors on my website and with social media platforms.
Absolutely! You've been so kind to help me in my author journey as well. But marketing is an extremely tough part. How about on the other end of the spectrum? What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
I love telling my stories, applying a spiritual aspect, and knowing they’ll be read all over the world. I love helping other authors. After all, we are all in this writing journey together, not lone rangers. I also enjoy meeting and getting to know other authors through conferences and by online correspondence.
So true! I love that! Why do you write? What drives you?
What drives me is the possibility of going insane if I don’t write. I write what I do because I want others to experience God’s love through true stories with biblical application—much as Jesus did. Like the prophet Jeremiah, stories burn in my body, and they must come out. My hope is to encourage others, regardless of what they are experiencing on their life journey.
That's a really good way to describe it. That stories burn you from the inside. Advice for writers?
Don’t give up. Getting published, whether for a book, devotion, or article, is getting increasingly more difficult, so patience is necessary. Write for the right reason, and God will open the doors he wants your publication journey to take.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing a book?
Since I am a teacher and have a day job that often extends into the evenings and weekends (grading papers)—and since I am editor as well, my preferred time to write is at 4:45 a.m. This is when my mind is the sharpest. If I don’t write then, other things that come up during the day—life—get in the way.
Wow! You're juggling a lot! But your hard work and perseverance certainly has paid off. Thank you so much for joining us. Readers, make sure to go check out Martin's newest devotional. Details below!
Bio:
Martin Wiles is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, minister, and author who also serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions and as a proof-editor for Courier Publishing. He is the author of six books and has been published in numerous publications. His most recent book, A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapades in a Busy World, was released in December 2019.
Blurb:
My latest book, A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapades in a Noisy World, combines my love for the outdoors and my passion for devotions. Since the “silence” of nature seems to be the place where God speaks the loudest to many people, I decided to filter through the many devotions I’ve written and select those that dealt with my hiking, backpacking, and camping experiences—especially those that had spiritual implications.
Website: www.lovelinesfromgod.com
Social media links:
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