Grits, Gumbo & Going to Church by Martin Wiles

Martin Wiles has become a favorite of mine when it comes to devotionals. His earlier book, Grits, Grace and God, featured down-to-earth Christian devotionals which relate easily to people in any walk of life. He speaks directly to the heart of what makes human beings right with God. It is my pleasure to introduce you to his latest release, Grits, Gumbo & Going to Church. 

New Book Release Author Interview

Grits, Gumbo & Going to Church

Welcome, Martin! When did you decide to become a writer? In other words, what made you actually sit down and write something?

I played around with writing a little when I was in college. For some reason, I began writing poetry. Poetry had never been a genre of literature I read earlier in my life, so I’m not quite sure why I was pulled in this direction. When my father died in 2009, I became serious about writing. How the two were connected, I’m not sure. My father never wrote anything except the sermons he preached and the Bible studies he taught. Nor did he ever have anything published. Though I have written a few articles, most of my writing which began at that point was devotions.

Every writer is eventually asked this question, but where do your ideas come from? Why do you write what you do?

My ideas come from real life and my personal experiences. I write short devotions because I believe more people will read something brief. Studies about our decreasing attention spans support my philosophy. God has taken me on a number of unpleasant journeys during my lifetime, but he has also taught me some important spiritual and life lessons along the way. I attempt to share these with readers who may be experiencing similar occurrences in their life. I also see spiritual lessons all around me every day through my life experiences and those of others.

What is the hardest thing about the creative process of writing? As a Christian, what are the challenges you believe Christian writers face now and in the future? Please share with us the hardest thing about writing your Grits, Gumbo & Going to Church? How long does it typically take you to finish your books?

For me, the most difficult part of writing is continually coming up with new illustrations and making sure I don’t repeat themes I’ve already written about. Keeping my writing fresh. Though Christianity faces many challenges in today’s society, I think the opportunities for Christian writers are wide open. While many may be fed up with and discouraged by traditional religion, they are nevertheless hungering for truth. Through my website, books, and other avenues, I can give them the truth they are looking for in a neutral setting with no strings attached.

Writing Grits, Gumbo & Going to Church wasn’t difficult. I had hundreds of devotions to choose from. The most challenging part was choosing which ones to use and hoping they would fit the editor’s desires. Since I write five days each week, I always have a number of devotions to choose from for a book.

Name your three biggest frustrations about the writing business.

One is the editing process. Since I’m a freelance editor myself, I know how frustrating it can be for an author to please an editor. For me, once I’ve written what was on my heart, it’s difficult to change anything, but over the years I’ve learned to take an editor’s advice whether I enjoy it or not. The finished product is always better. Another frustration is the rejections. They seem to mount up quicker than the acceptances do. This too just comes with the territory. And I suppose the temptation to be jealous of other writers is also a frustration. Through the advice of sound Christian authors and editors, I’ve also learned to let go of the jealousy and instead to be glad about what God does for every author.

On the flip side, what excites you the most about the creative process?

The flip side of rejections is the challenge to find a publisher who will publish my book, accept my article, or publish one or more of my devotions. When the acceptance letters come or the contract arrives, the sweat of the creative process becomes worth it.

What are you reading at the moment, and who are a few of your favorite authors and why?

At the moment, I’m between books, having just finished The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore. My favorite authors include Ann Tatlock, Cindy Sproles, Charles Stanley, and Max Lucado. Ann because she is a superb writer of historical fiction. Cindy because she has a way with words that makes the story or devotion come alive and because she is a dear friend who believed in me seven years ago. Charles Stanley because, for me, he is the most profound Bible teacher in my generation, and Max Lucado because he has a knack for making the Bible come alive.

About the author:

Martin lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God (www.lovelinesfromgod.com). He is an author, minister, and freelance editor. His most recent book, Grits, Gumbo and Going to Church, is available on Amazon. He serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions (www.christiandevotions.us) and Assistant Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (http://lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com)

Connect with Martin:

https://www.facebook.com/martinwilesgreenwoodsc

https://twitter.com/linesfromgod

https://www.instagram.com/lovelinesfromgod

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-wiles-5a55b14a

https://www.pinterest.com/martinwiles

Book links:

https://www.amazon.com/Grits-Gumbo-Going-Church-Martin/dp/1941103847

http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Devotionals-Heaven-Served-Southern/dp/1938499697

http://lpcbooks.com/product/grits-grace-god-manna-from-heaven-served-up-southern-style/