How I Wrote My Book, “Not Alone”

What is the best way to eat an elephant?

One bite at a time. 

If thinking of eating an elephant makes you cringe or giggle–same. Haha! 

But this somewhat silly example tells us that anything seemingly overwhelming is actually quite doable when we break it down into smaller, more manageable steps—or bites if you will. 

When I began to get the ideas for my book, I didn’t think it was time to write it. As I shared in my previous blog post, I had been dreaming of writing a book for years, and every time I took that dream off the shelf, I always ended up reshelving it. 

But this time was different. 

As I walked up and down my driveway, the gravel crunching beneath my feet and the wind tickling my cheeks, the ideas filled my thoughts as if each step uncovered another theme, story, and message that would eventually compile into a book. 

As you can see from the above photo of my driveway, it’s an excellent place to think, reflect, and pray.

And that’s where I started.

With small, manageable steps that looked like thoughts, prayers, and reflections on how I might weave a story worthy of sharing.

As my story grew, so did the path I would walk.

I soon ventured beyond the gravel and navigated the fields surrounding our house, winding my way through a trail of pine trees and drifting down to a dried-up creek bed. 

In the spring, as I neared completion of my manuscript, I found the most inspiration while out on these walks. I’d let the open sky, passing birds, and our loyal dog, my companion anytime I stepped outside, to hear my ideas and wandering thoughts.

But mostly, I talked to God and asked Him what I should write next, how to conclude a chapter I was stuck on, or if I should share a particular message or story with my readers. I always laid it out before Him and then waited for His answer. 

Though I spent countless hours writing this book in front of my computer, the true message was born from seeds planted long before those sessions. It was the deeply rooted experiences and lessons in my heart that ultimately shaped the words on the pages of my manuscript.

Seeds that had been planted years before were starting to bloom.

A word comes to mind when I think of HOW I wrote the book. 

Obedience. 

Obediently, I waited for God’s right timing to write this book. 

Obediently, I started writing what I felt He put upon my heart. 

And in obedience, I listened for His guidance every step of the way. 

Taking His hand through each small, manageable step.

Friends, I pray you find encouragement in taking one step at a time as you pursue those God-sized dreams. Above all, may you feel led to follow God's plan for your life. He has a way of planting seeds that grow into something far greater than we can imagine.

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)