lmmartin interviews "Quill"
The man behind the "Fireside Chats" speaks on spirituality, novel writing, and lofty goals
1. In 15 months, you’ve published 202 hubs and connected with several hundred loyal followers. What was your original goal in joining our community? Have you attained it, or are you attaining it? Has it changed since you began? What do you see in your future here?
What a privilege it is to do this for HubPages. To the many faithful who have followed me on this journey, I extend a hearty thank you and to all who attend the “Fireside Chats” of the past several months. Particularly my favorite follower, Mrs. Quill, my gift from God, who stood by, supported me and cheered from the sidelines.
My original goal in joining was simple, to start a community of like-minded people, people who would encourage and be an encouragement. Little did I know at the time we would become the community we have. Community is essential to well-being and grows from love, even though we are miles apart.
Have I attained my goal? It is never really finished.
What we write and the communities we form are an investment. The “Fireside” is a place for all in the community, a safe place to share ideas. Invest in people and you invest in yourself. As I write I often think of each of you gathered around, relaxing and in complete peace.
2. You have become a highly respected spiritual writer for many of us, our on-line pastor – our sermon with a cup of coffee in the morning. These are the benefits you’ve given. What benefits have you received from your participation in the community?
Yes, I am ordained as a Pastor and served a few churches along the way. I have stepped back now, waiting on God to open new doors. To simply reach out and love others here on Hubpages has been wonderful.
One of the benefits I received from this community is the chance to look at myself more closely. When we chose a subject to write about and research to find the words for others, it is a journey of personal growth.
3. You are sharing the writing of the third novel in your series His Love with the hubpages community. How has their input affected your writing? Do they help motivate you to continue?
Very much so. All those comments and emails wondering where the next chapter will lead -- what a great reason for writing. Suggestions are always wonderful and the many emails helping to guide and direct. It’s like have a personal editing team in place.
Readers motivate me to write more, to hone my skills, to take them to places I have been taken, to see what I have seen and yet do it as a message of love and of the power of God’s creation. That is the satisfaction of writing: when people share your experience.
4. Your profile tells us you have written twelve novels. This is quite prolific for any writer. Tell us about your writing. Which of your works are your personal favorites? Which would you consider the most successful – success not necessarily meaning public acclaim?
I started to journal when I first moved to the Yukon. Just notes of what I had seen and done with Tannis, my dog. The few pages turned to several journals. I packed them around for years, and then, they disappeared. Mrs. Quill suggested I recreate them from memory and that was the beginning.
Hard to place a favorite, but I would say the series "Quiet Reflections" would be mine. I’ve shared the struggles I had with my addictions to alcohol and drugs, a battle of many years. In the setting of the wilderness in the Yukon, in the purity of God’s creation, I was able to finally leave it behind. That was 35 years ago. I thank God for all He has given and the freedom I have today.
Success to me does not mean public acclaim, success is beating the odds. Dealing with the issues which hold us back in life is the important thing. There is a story in each of us. We all have our demons.
5. You state you’ve set lofty goal for yourself and that limits exist only in the mind. Would you elaborate on these thoughts for us?
Lofty goals, well I think we all set them. Society has become a place where we attempt to live up to other people’s standards. Getting back to the basics of “do what you do well” is a good and practical rule for life.
To “love is to live” is something I have learned. To live without forgiveness is like a cancer that will eat away at your soul. I was bitter for years with the hand I thought I was dealt. It was in those years in the wilderness I rediscovered the child within myself and realized all the choices I had made were mine and mine alone.
I ask “what is it God would have me become; what gifts has He given to me and how can I best use them". To say “I cannot do that” determines your fate before you begin. Your potential is not limited to your comfort zone -- step out of the box you have built or others have built for you, step out in faith. See what you can accomplish. The results may surprise you.
6. In one of your hubs, you ask writers what their labors are worth. What are your labors worth? Why do you write? Who do you write for?
I have learned the reason I write is the reader. Each Hub, article or commissioned piece is written from the heart. If someday I can earn a small living from these efforts, great. If not, I have been paid in the positive support I have received.
At the end of the day I write for the Lord, I leave the rest to Him if He will bless another or even me. Many great and wonderful people have been found on here, for that I find myself and my household ever grateful.
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