Books Are a Reflection of My Life
“T
By John Shivers
hink of it like an artist painting a self-portrait,” Tracy McCoy said. Those words followed her suggestion that I write an article about myself for the Laurel’s November issue. The image that suddenly lit up my internal video screen was of more than one self-portrait I’ve seen that would frighten the smile right off the Mona Lisa. Makes you wonder who those artists were looking at while their brushes were at work. Tracy’s request followed the release of Moonshine for Christmas, my 2020 Christmas Collector book. While I was grateful for a chance to promote this third Christmas story, in my mind’s eye, I could clearly see some of those self-portraits her words conjured up. I wasn’t inspired. Heck, I wasn’t even impressed, but I was very intimidated. Painting yourself can be heavy stuff, so while I searched for a different analogy for motivation, I figured I’d just go ahead and start writing. Maybe inspiration will find me somewhere along the way!” Moonshine for Christmas is set partially in the hills of northeast Georgia, and is the story of a wife who fears that her mountain heritage may wreck her husband’s political aspirations. But it’s Christmas, and Santa brings a renewal of her self-worth, a chance to be who she honestly is. This book joins the 2018 book, Three Gifts for Christmas that happened when a faithful reader, who just happens to be a guy, basically challenged me to come up with a Christmas book. I took that challenge, expecting it to be a one-time deal. Much to my surprise, the reception was overwhelming, as readers demanded to know what I would do for 2019. Weaving a Family for Christmas answered their questions. The 2021 book is still tumbling around in my gray matter, but I’ve got a rough synopsis, and will tackle it in early January. “Where do you get your ideas?” Gosh, how many times I’ve heard that question. And the answers are equally numerous. In Service was inspired by the British TV series “Downton Abbey,” while Repossessed found life during the recent unfortunate financial downturn. My “Slop Bucket Mystery Series” was actually inspired by Rabun County’s own Julie Barnett, who shows lake property by boat. Revenge and Gravy, the fourth book in that series, was going to press as I was writing this article. Mountain Laurell was actually a book I began many years ago and lost before it was ever finished. While moving, I unearthed it and decided to weave together a conclusion. Inspiration hits me at some of the most unusual places and often when least expected. Such as when I’m zooming down Interstate 75, and have to pull over to the side of the road to try to capture the gist of the idea. That’s exactly how it was that hot July day in 1961 when I put down the book I was reading, and vowed that I would be a writer. My eleven year-old self headed indoors to begin that first book. It was a mystery, a favorite genre of mine then, and now. I grew up in a very abusive home. Reading, and by extension, writing, was my salvation. It wasn’t until after I was grown that I realized many of the books I read were set among families that I mentally adopted myself into.
22 GML - November 2020
As I pound the keyboard, I try to keep in mind that someone who reads what I write may find guidance through those words. The ability to make music totally passed me by, but God gave me the ability to string words together, and I try to never lose sight of where that gift comes from. This may be one of the reasons that book ideas can come by way of a mountaintop experience, listening to a nearby conversation, hearing a catchy tune, at church, and in such unlikely places as the landfill. Gone Astray hit me when I was dumping garbage, and Colorblind, a mainstream novel set amidst a racial setting, was seeded by a number of different real observations. The River Rolls On was inspired by Colorblind. Hear My Cry, Paths of Judgment, and Lift Up Mine Eyes are a trilogy born from the abusive childhood I lived for more than 6,500 days. A quartet of books in the “Renew a Right Spirit” series, Broken Spirit, Merry Heart, His Mercy Endureth and Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled, share Saralynn Reilly’s journey through grief and rebirth. Each book has its own backstory. Well, I’ve reached my word limit and I’m still looking for inspiration. How would Mona Lisa react if she read this article, I wonder? Once words are put into print, they can’t be taken back, no matter how homely they are!
