Author Kathi Macias: Author By Night

I’m pleased to welcome author Kathi Macias back to Thoughts in Progress as the special guest blogger today as she makes a stop on her current virtual blog tour.

Kathi’s latest release is PEOPLE OF THE BOOK, the fourth installment in her Extreme Devotion series. Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: Farah lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her family, and wants nothing more than to develop a deeper devotion to her Muslim faith. She sees the month of Ramadan as her chance to draw nearer to Allah, and pursues that goal. All goes well until the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself. Her brother, Kareem, who has never liked her, seeks to discredit her.

Farah’s cousin, an only child, frequents an online chat. She discovers former Muslims discussing their new belief that Isa is much more than a Muslim prophet—He is actually the Son of God. She becomes acquainted with an American girl of Muslim ancestry—now a devout Christian—Sara. Sara has problems of her own due to her brother Emir’s suspicious behavior.

Each finds their faith put to the test. Will they be true to their beliefs? Will God protect them, or will they pay the ultimate price for their faith?

Kathi is here today to talk about being an ‘author by night.’

I was once asked what my “author by night” life was like. My first thought was, Hmm… When was the last time I was up late enough that it qualified as “night”? Been awhile, I’m afraid.
Seriously, I am NOT a night person. The problem is, I’m not really a morning person either, though my current lifestyle requires that I get up most days at dark o’clock. And I must admit that once I’ve rolled out of that warm, cozy bed, I really do accomplish a lot in those early morning hours.

For one thing, my husband heads off to work before the chickens are out and about, and I almost never get phone calls that early. Hence, the house is quiet and I can actually grab some alone time with the Lord before jumping feet-first into my daily to-do list. And that, I suppose, is the secret to pretty much everything I do—before or after dark, as an author or otherwise. If I miss that beginning-of-the-day time of prayer and Bible reading and worship, I’m definitely starting off on the wrong foot, and my day almost always goes downhill from there.

I’m actually quite blessed (and have been for some years now) to be able to write (my own books and scores more for other people, as well as being a regular contributor to various online publications) and edit fulltime, rather than trying to squeeze in a little writing time after getting home from a “real” job. (Yes, through the years I’ve had several of those. Do I miss them? Only when I realize that if I had a “real” job I’d also have a “real” paycheck. But the flexibility and freedom of working at home is worth the tradeoffs—most of the time.)

In addition to being a writer/editor, I teach at writers’ and women’s conferences, workshops, and retreats, and have recently been doing some national and international TV appearances, all of which require being away from home for several days at a time. It also requires a great sense of humor because I DON’T DO PUBLIC SPEAKING! At least, that’s what I always thought. When I became a Christian at 26, I explained that to God, but apparently He didn’t pay attention.

On a more personal level, in addition to being married to my junior/senior high school sweetheart, Al (whom I’ve known since we were six, though we didn’t like one another much at the time), I’m a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. (Trust me, I still have trouble absorbing that one!) And, of course, I can’t finish up an explanation of my “author by night” life without mentioning my wonderful church family at Nuevo Community Church. What a supportive bunch! I miss them when I’m doing my “road warrior” thing, but always glad to check in for hugs and warm welcomes when I’m home.

I also am active in several writers/speakers’ groups, including AWSA (Advanced Writers/Speakers Association, where I received the Member of the Year award in 2008—yeah, ME, the one who does NOT do public speaking!); CAN (Christian Authors Network, where I serve as spiritual adviser—which should give you pause if you’re considering joining the group); Christian Writers Fellowship International; Orange County Christian Writers’ Fellowship; ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers); ICFW (International Christian Fiction Writers); The Christian PEN (Proofreaders/Editors Network); Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service; and Wonderful Wordsmiths.

And that about sums it up! It also brings us full circle to why I grab myself by the hair of my head and haul myself out of bed before the sun is up. Without my quiet time with the Lord each morning, the rest of this would simply overwhelm me and I’d throw in the towel. (Trust me, there are easier ways to make minimum wage or less!) But God has called me to be a communicator, and so—in spite of myself—I am (and grateful for the opportunity). At the same time, I stand ready to lay it down at a moment’s notice if God calls me to do something else or when He calls me home. My “author by night” life begins and ends with Him, and that’s the Truth that keeps everything else in perspective.

Kathi, thanks so much for stopping by here again. Having that bit of quiet alone-time in the morning does help one have a better take on the day.

Let me give you a bit more background on Kathi. She is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs.

She is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and was named 2008 Member of the Year by AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding in Al’s new sunburst orange Corvette. You can reach Kathi or find out more about her writing and speaking at www.kathimacias.com. You can also visit her “Easy Writer” blog at http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/

Do you enjoy quiet time in the morning to get your day started or is your quiet time at night before ending the day? I won’t be around blogdom again today, but want to say thanks for stopping by.