What is the working title of your book?
Sifted as Wheat: Finding Hope and Healing through the losses of life.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
My own losses, as well as the many folks I’ve counseled over the years.
What genre does your book fall under?
Grief, Loss, Women’s issues, Mental health, Spirituality, Personal growth and Development.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Most of us are unaware that abstract losses like shattered dreams, unmet expectations, loss of hope, trust, even the loss of faith, can have serious long-range consequences on the heart. Sifted As Wheat explores how unidentified or unresolved loss impacts every area of life, especially our relationship with God.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
An Agency. Hartline Literary Agency represents me and Joyce Hart is my agent.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
One year.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Shattered Dreams by Dr Larry Crabb, When God Weeps, Joni Earekson Tada
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
As I mentioned, my own personal journey through loss was a big part of it. But as I’ve sat with people over the last decade as a counselor, I realized that within each person’s story, there was a theme of loss woven within their story. I was also curious as to why so many people that have struggled with the losses of life seemed to come through (in time) with a stronger faith, where others have lost the battle for their hearts, and perhaps their faith all-together. The book attempts to address those things as well as the enigma of suffering.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The book is divided into sections according to the Bible verse in Luke 22: 31-32 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you turn back, strengthen your brothers.”
The book deals with matters of the heart and its focus is how the losses of life affects us at the heart level. The premise is based on the Bible verse:
Satan has asked to sift us as wheat: Loss is an assault on the heart.
Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf: We are in a battle to reclaim our hearts because they matter to God.
When you turn back Simon, strengthen your brothers: We must re-invest our hearts with a bigger plan and purpose in mind.
The one thing we all have to remember is: The story isn’t finished yet!
http://paris-mom.blogspot.com/
Congratulations! When will Sifted as Wheat be released?
this fall