Why Write The Christmas Stone?

For me, writing is the way I make sense of my thoughts and process life's more challenging experiences. It is the primary tool that helps me understand my world. Books serve as an invitation for writers and readers to share stories that matter, that empower, that entertain and that deserve to be told.

It's been nearly six years since my book, Surviving Columbine: How Faith Helps Us Heal When Tragedy Strikes was released (Spring 2004). While I was definitely proud and excited to be a part of that project, my giddiness from being a first-time author was short-lived because of the somber topic.

The book definitely changed my life for the better in many ways (not financially--the royalty was donated to the Perpetual Education Fund, something similar will be done with The Christmas Stone royalty). Specifically the book served as a therapeutic outlet for me to re-frame and mentally process the shooting. It allowed me to build several deep and life-long friendships, it helped me springboard into the publishing industry and most importantly, I feel we (contributors Mike Johnson, Amber Huntington, Kathy Johnson, Kathy Carlston) were able to offer the world a positive and hopeful perspective on a very sad day.

Surviving Columbine expanded my understanding and appreciation of Christ's atonement and its healing power. Truly, the wounds we suffer in this life make us stronger and with the Savior's help, everything ALWAYS turns out right in the end. When the timing was right, I wanted to write another book that touched people and invited them to think a little differently about life. After so many years, I now have that opportunity.

Per a friend's recommendation, I decided to fictionalize my 'Columbine experience.' While The Christmas Stone certainly isn't a re-telling of the shooting, it does touch on the key lessons and insights I learned during my post high school journey. When it comes out this September, I hope you find the story to be entertaining and uplifting--in a later post, I'll share the synopsis and an excerpt from the book.

There's a lot of work to do between now and September, but it is gratifying to have another book on the way. I invite you to follow my progress and maybe even learn something new about the publishing industry (feel free to share this blog with your friends)...buckle up, it's going to be a fun ride!