WHY WRITE? by CRAIG HASTINGS

WHY WRITE? by CRAIG HASTINGS
Friday, February 2, 2024 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: Love or Lies

AUTHOR: Craig Hastings

PUBLISHER: Pen It Publications

GENRE: Christian Romance

SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand Alone

TARGET AGE: Adult

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR CRAIG HASTINGS TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. CRAIG ANSWERS A QUESTION WE WRITERS HAVE ALL ASKED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.

WHY WRITE?

Craig Hastings

That’s an interesting question, and I’m tempted to answer it the same way I did when a teacher in high school asked us to answer the question, “Why?” in a 1-page essay. After several paragraphs of fill, I stated what to me was the obvious answer, “Why not.” She wasn’t amused, but that’s her loss. She also didn’t like my friend’s answer of ‘because.’

But this time I’ll go a little further. One response might be, because I have something to say.

This is appropriate as the idea for my book, Love or Lies came in response to the question, ‘why children raised in church, find they have drifted away in adulthood, and what can they do about it.’ My character, El, shares about how pressure from friends, society, the urge to succeed, lack of free time, other interests and such, or in other words, life, were a part of why she found herself at 32, seeming to have moved away from her faith or at least put it as a distant priority.

My first book, Moose Ridge: Ending To Beginning, came about because the question came to me, how would someone raised in an environment without God react while dealing with the lowest point imaginable in their life, see the witness of several Christians who have also faced tragedy, yet their faith carried them though it. Thus, we have the story of Jazmine, a Harvard grad and New York City girl, suffering from what she feels is the final blow as she’s abandoned by the love of her life in rural Wyoming. As she tries to recover from this devastating blow, she meets several Christians and discovers they also had sufferings in their life, yet they hold onto their belief in God. Through this, she witnesses their faith as they share about God and His love for her.

Another response might be because I have something they need to hear. From a Christian perspective this might be a given. Everyone needs to hear about God and His love for them. However, not everyone is comfortable talking with strangers, or worse yet, with public speaking. I’ve been doing it for over 40 years and still have butterflies and worries I’ll say something incorrectly, or not make my points clear. But writing allows you the opportunity to get the message you want to share, down in as clear and concise a way as possible. Don’t ask me how many drafts I have of my last book.

These are just two of the answers to this basic, yet possibly difficult question. But as I type this, I have to ask myself, is it really that difficult? Is there that much of a mystery to it?

While these and others are wonderful answers to this all-encompassing question, I still have to go back to my obvious answer. Why not! After all, it eliminates all excuses.

Back Cover Blurb for Love or Lies

When El’s prestigious position in the company she helped to build is eliminated, she loses both her boyfriend and her place to live. Facing an uncertain future, she agrees to return home to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. But her trip down memory lane comes with a few surprises

Her high school sweetheart turned pastor is officiating the funeral. Her antisocial aunt regularly hosted a rowdy church youth group. And mysteries hide not just in several letters stashed away in a safe deposit box but also in the very pages of her aunt’s novels.

As the secrets and lies unravel, El must confront the ghosts of her past relationships, the distance between her and God, and the truth about real love. But will she give any type of love a chance?

In Love or Lies, El takes an emotional journey of self-discovery and faith to make sense of her past and look beyond the lies she’s been told. This touching Christian Romance explores what it means to rediscover a connection with God and to unlock the true power of love.

Born and raised in Muncie, IN, Craig Hastings is about as typical middle-America as they come. His 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, followed by another 15 as a DoD contractor, allowed him to live in several places in the States and overseas. After over 20 years in Germany and the UK, Craig hates moving. He and his wife settled in Oklahoma City where their miniature dachshunds allow Craig and his wife to live with them. He continues working for a major computer company under contract with a major airline manufacturer, which keeps him busy during the weekdays, leaving his evenings and weekends for his writing and maintaining their acreage. Oh, and his major job of taking care of the pups.

Connect with Craig

SUBSCRIBE TO PATTI’S BLOGS HERE

Comments

Katherine Pasour From North Carolina At 2/8/2024 2:05:00 PM

Craig, I really enjoyed learning about you and why you write. As authors, I think we ask ourselvs that question a lot--especially when we're discouraged. Your newest release sounds great. Thanks for sharing, and for your commitment to support other authors.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Katherine. Thank you so much for stopping by. I agree that we writes often ask ourselves this question. I appreciate the support we find from our fellow authors.

Erma From Idaho At 2/3/2024 5:57:56 PM

Oh, Craig (Hi Patti), Your humorless teacher reminds me of so many I've had! Glad that era is far behind us! This latest book of your sounds wonderful! I can't say for certain, but I'm guessing most of us have questioned our God, our faith in Him, and have found Him worthy!!! Blessings!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Erma. Thank you so much for stopping by. I had a teacher when I was very young who embarrassed me to tears over something I did that was totally unintentional. If only we realized at the time how deeply our words can impact others! Thank you for sharing, Erma!

Chevron Ross From Texas At 2/3/2024 2:12:27 PM

Nice essay, Craig. The world needs stories about people who ground their lives in Christianity, and even more about those who have lost that grounding but find their way back.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Chevron. I definitely agree with that! We need to put stories out there that spread the word of God's truth. Thank you for stopping by and sharing with us.

Becky Van Vleet From Colorado Springs At 2/3/2024 1:43:12 PM

Craig, your answer of "why not" is simple, yet profound. You're absolutely right, it eliminates all the excuses. I wish you the best with your writing career. P.S. I'm from Indianapolis--my husband and I and four children used to live In Muncie--still have friends there!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Becky. Oh yes, how many times do we stare at the computer screen and ask Why am I doing this?? I loved Craig's answer to the question. Thank you so much for stopping by!