Day 15 – Another record for the books….

The more I write, the easier it gets. Now that might sound a little ordinary. Practice makes perfect, but perhaps the old truism remains true. I finished what would be a sixth chapter in the order of things. I cannot say for sure that there will remain six chapters once I finish writing all I want to say. The organization of the book in different drafts and edits might change and most likely will. I am sure there are many more edits, drafts, and changes to be made. The important thing is that progress is being made. I was reminded today that you have to look at the work you have overall done, not what you think is left to do. This frame of mind will quickly squash anyone’s will if you think about everything that has to be done in life. It will suck the life right out of you! When I first started these thirty-two days, I wanted to have a complete manuscript sometimes working ten or eleven hours. That final goal has changed. I just want to enjoy the work. If I continue with overkill, it really does take all the joy out of what I am doing. I think there is no peace when there is no joy and vice versa. That is a dynamic truth I am still learning more and more about every day. While many consider this a break from life because “I do not have a real job,” I am enjoying it. I get to be around those who love me most. I get to do something I have always wanted to do. I finally slept last night which was great! My dog, King David, had a tumor which was successfully surgically removed today. Maybe my sister should write about that? I would consider it a general health update of a family member. For those of you who do not get the joke, Ayden, my nephew, has been through much adversity of his own. I have only seen from a distance what his life is like through my sister’s blog and his continual hospital visits. I will say this I never thought I would get tired of seeing someone’s picture. I am tired of seeing his. It is true, but he is healthy. And I am grateful for that. Today was a good day….two healthy family members (a tumor removed and a beating heart), a completed chapter, and what will soon be a hot shower and devotion before bed. God is good!

Day 14 – Productiveness at its Best

Yesterday I spoke with a friend who agreed to help me redesign this blog. The conversation lifted my spirits. On the other hand I have been discouraged by a few of my family members which really surprised me. A musician I know once told me this: “The criticism just adds fuel to my furnace to work harder and achieve something greater.” In other words, he soaks up encouragement but uses criticism as a form of positive energy to move forward. That is the train of thought I am trying to keep in mind.

A stranger….someone I do not even know….joined my book club on Facebook and sent me a private message of encouragement. I thought it was unbelievable how God uses people all over Social Media to affect people’s lives and impact them to do some amazing things.

Today I submitted five pieces to the Burnside Collective (three poems, one art critique, and one essay). Some of the pieces I have been working on for awhile but others I just recently put together. Remember just because I submit something does not mean it will be accepted. I also drafted some sketches for the blog, scanned them, and sent them to my friend who is going to take a look at that stuff for me. I drew sketches because it would have taken me much longer to do those things on Adobe InDesign.

For some reason, I thought this process was going to be an easy one, maybe not totally easy, but not as hard as it has been. Being or in my case attempting to be a writer is really hard work. Right now I live in Birmingham at home. I really do not know too many people. So I spend a good bit of time at the computer just typing. It definitely feels like an upward battle. Sometimes I forget to just enjoy it. I am writing because I like to write not because I have to. I think in the process of writing this book I have somehow forgotten that. The writing became chore. It became a job. Writing is so much more than that! A piece of literature can change people’s lives, especially those in the faith of God. I just need to remember who I am writing this for. Is it for me? Or is it for Him?

Even without the call to be a great writer, I have to be content with that. I have to be content with the small time (not the big time so to speak…becoming nationally known). While I long to help people in overwhelming masses, that may not be God’s intention for me right now. But I do believe God is at work. The journey is one step at a time, one day at a time. Anything big anyone has ever done usually required a little time and a little sacrifice. I just need to keep in mind that I do get to this, something I love. It is a blessing! For this brief moment in my life, I get to try something a little different. I should be grateful and even motivated despite what others say. Fuel the energy. Move forward. Praise God. And give Him the Glory that He is due!

Day 13 – Odd Number…

That is such an odd number for today. Instead of being an unlucky number, perhaps it will bring forth some luck in a drive to finish this book. Writing often staggers, or it moves forward. I have found that the profession or perhaps in my case a hobby is very difficult because when you are not motivated what do you do? You procrastinate. You don’t just do, and I think this is exactly where the Devil wants us to be….oddly so he can manipulate, twist, and perhaps even hurt the thoughts of our mind. The heart is a delicate place that is only meant to be managed by one delicate being: God.

As you may or may not have read in another post, I have recently been having trouble sleeping. I probably slept a good eight hours tonight and then another two hours this afternoon. My battery has not been energetic as usual. I am an enthusiastic, exciting, bad-to-the-bone (in a very good way) guy. My aim in writing this book is to help, to inspire them, and to educate them. In case I have not mentioned, the book is a tale of success concerning mental illnesses that serves as a piece of literature that will advocate for the mentally ill in the institution of the church. That is a complex sentence, but that is what I am trying to do. I am a man of affirmation. I need a good cheerleader to push me forward, but my parents are not exactly the most vocal people.

If you read this message, send me a shout out via Twitter, Facebook, email (jamescarteeiii@gmail.com), or this blog. You might be surprised how a few sentences can push someone over the edge to do great things….achieve dreams….and to push through!

Today was PHENOM! I love encountering interesting people….

Great book right here…..CHECK IT OUT!

My day started off kind of slow honestly. I have not been sleeping well not for any one particular reason that I can think of, but I just seem to race through the night with continuous thoughts. The race goes on! Tonight I have a feeling that I am going to hit the hay hard. I am very tired. Hopefully I will have great dreams as well.

I went to a book signing tonight for a guy by the name of Chad Gibbs. I found that both Chad and his family were cordial towards someone they did not know….a first time author such as myself. Chad offered some personal advice about his book, his journey to agency, a traditional publishing contract, and everything in between those stages of starting a proposal for the Greater Good of Mankind. His book entitles God and Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the SEC. If you enjoy the wonderful sport of football, you might find that this is a pleasant read. I have heard chaplains of athletic departments speak, but I have never encountered a book about such topics. Chad has done what I seek to do: breaking through the threshold of starting with a first book, signing with the publishing giant known as Zondervan. I admire that and hope to learn from those who have accomplished what I have not thus far….granted I started this grand adventure this summer.

I think you might find my encounter with a store employee comic to say the least. If I have a decent conversation with anyone, I typically am friendly and outgoing to the point I will ask them to maybe hang out sometime. Guys handle this shy-factor quite well. Girls on the other hand maybe prefer a more indirect way of communication. I spoke with a girl named Sarah Beth (SB) at the counter about book clubs in the general Birmingham metro. There were like fifty clubs located all over the city. I figured getting involved in one might assist in my writing….help me to be more literate or whatever. So we will see about that. This store happened to have a wall space dedicated to each book of the month for each club. So Sarah Beth pulled out a folder with the book lists of this past year for each of these clubs. We generally dissected each club as masculine or feminine, but she knew many more of the titles than I did myself. It might explain why she works at such an eclectic establishment in book sales with the additional observation that she is an library science major at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, but she was an Auburn fan. War Eagle! So I really did not think too in depth about our meeting each other. I was in the store meeting other people, browsing, and talking to Chad for maybe no more than thirty minutes. Before I left I figured I would ask SB to grab some coffee on another future occasion in a very public place. She was as surprised by my asking as I was surprised by her reaction. Her face turned Crimson Tide red like she decided to like Alabama instead of Auburn for a few quick seconds. She was flushed with flustered feelings. I kind of felt bad honestly because she did not seem that shy communicating like a general saleswoman at the counter. I found her speech to be very helpful and calm in a logical sense of being an intellectual bookworm. I kind of dig when anyone can hold a decent conversation about literary matters or anything else. I really tried not to giggle in front of her despite the fact that I laughed when I got into my car leaving the store. She gave me the “look me up on Facebook” line. I told her that a last name would help considering there might be several Sarah Beths in the University of Alabama or Birmingham networks. As she walked back to the counter, she did mention her last name. She also told me that I knew where she worked. In my limited experience southern girls are not crazy about the outgoing, ambitious, gregarious, leadership-type. They might prefer a more Luke Perry style of communication….laidback, suave gelled hair, a motorcycle owner, and something like out of the Grease movie I suppose except tonight I did not get Sandy. I am not sure if this cup of coffee will be poured. I took her response as a maybe which is better than a “No” but not a definite “Yes.” I enjoyed the moment, and it makes a decent blog entry.

I spent about three hours in O’Henry’s, the greatest coffee shop ever in Birmingham. I met a campus outreach minister from Montevallo and also a professional European basketball player who was American but played in Luxemburg. I felt like I was on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood for a brief moment, but in respect I did not ask him to sign my coffee or anything. I figured that might be a little inappropriate on a first meeting basis. Gratefully he extended an invitation to visit him if I indeed decided to return to Europe on another backpacking adventure….shoestring budget here of course. They were such cool guys. Unlike the awkward bookstore moment we exchanged contact information rather easily. Guys will be guys I suppose.

I rounded up the evening with some close friends for dinner at PFChangs. I enjoy eating at this restaurant about as much as any Asian cuisine I have ever tried. The company of friends was fantastic, and the day ended with a good story to tell. In the face of the pale clouded moonlight, I did not get a coffee moment with the girl, but I had an amazing day with some amazing people even if a maybe is an undecided maybe.